valve cover leak

[f.boyle]

my second and third valve covers leak near the gasket any suggestions?

 

[bgilbert]

Check to see if they're torqued to 18ft-lbs. Its a 15mm nut. If thats not it, check to see if the gasket needs replaced. About $6 each from Cummins, DON'T use el cheapo, only use Cummins. Bill

 

[Paychk]

Be sure that both sufaces are clean, use carb cleaner and most important ***install the gasket dry*** don't use anything on them!

 

[bmoeller]

My guess is that the rubber or silicone (whatever they are made of) is dried out. That happened on mime. They were hard and stiff where they made contact with the head. Couldn't seal anymorre. Might want to go ahead and replace them all. They don't cost very much, even if you get them from the Dodge dealer.

 

[phillips5]

Wile you have the covers get some feeler guages and adj. the valves

 

[f.boyle]

how do I go about adjusting the valves? all I need is the feelers? and new valve cover gaskets?

any thing I get that can come from cummins is from cummins \



I'm moving to arizona in may about a 3000mile trip any thing else you think I should do before hitting the road? towing my 12k 16' goose. I will be almost ready for an oil/ fuel filter change. I'm going to change all the fluids bumper to bumper. any thing else come to mind?

Chainsaw

 

[JLEONARD]

any thing else come to mind

Just make sure all your coolant hoses and connections are in good shape.

Anytime I have ever had a problem on a trip it has been coolant related.

Good luck on your trip.

Jay

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by f. boyle

how do I go about adjusting the valves?

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/valve_adj/12_valve.html



With exception to needing feeler gauges, you don't really need the special tools they have listed. Easy job to do.

 

[f.boyle]

thanx all! those two metal coolant lines that run across the top right of the engine have rust spots on them is that ok or should I replace them?chainsaw

 

[1stgen4evr]

long road trip

As Jay Leonard mentions, coolant problems on the road are the thing to look out for and I can atest are expensive as well. Don't know your mileage but I had the water pump fail at around 350k miles. I will not run the other trucks I have past 300k before a change out. Had a tensioner idler part fail around 200k once because the arm was getting bad and another time because the idler bearing failed. You can get a new idler assembly and ride it for insurance. Take a new fuel filter with you. I carry two. Spare fuses, a quart of oil and some steering fluid, spare tires and let her rip. You simply can't anticipate everything. If you have done the routine maintenance on shedule all should be well for that short of a trip.



Good luck on the move.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[f.boyle]

i carry two too!!! I'm going to change all the filters and fluids just before we go. I've got 150K probly 160K by the time we leave.

chainsaw