Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) valve cover seeping

[Smills]

I have a small leak on the top of the valve cover by the small letters at the front has anybody else had this problem and simple fixs please. The leak is minor but annoying it is circled in red on the pic. Thanks



shane

 

[LSMITH]

You have a bad casting, plain and simple. I know the die casting process fairly well, and this sort of thing really is pretty common. It should have been caught by the leak testers at EST (company that cast and machined them) before shipment to Cummins. Ding ding ding you win a free valve cover, it should be replaced under warranty with no hassle.



You can clean ALL the oil off and JB Weld or Devcon the porosity from the inside to stop the leak if you don't want to take it in. You are likely looking for just larger than pin hole/s inside the cover. Oil has made it out the top though, so it can get under the paint and lift it. I would make them give me a new one.

 

[Smills]

Thanks LSMITH

Do you know if the aluminum that the valve cover is made of is weldable quality cause it just so happens that for about 5-6 more months I'm stuck with a crappy dealer until I move back to colorado. Thanks for helping me out



shane

 

[LSMITH]

Yes you can weld it, but unless you can do it yourself it will be a little pricey. If you cannot weld it yourself I would buy some Devcon brand "Liquid Aluminum" epoxy type stuff. Clean it extremely well, sand the area with 40 grit to roughen it up, clean it again and then apply the Devcon. I would make all the repairs on the inside BTW, no need to have it looking like crap until you get a new cover.



BTW, I have seen the Devcon used by die cast suppliers to Cummins, Cat, Navistar, Detroit, etc to fill inperfections and seal areas that are not critical. The leakage you have is not in a critical area.

 

[Bob4x4]

I replaced a valve cover on a 01 just last week. It was a covered component on the D/C added care service contract. Good luck

Bob

 

[Smills]

I would get it replaced under warranty but I have already had problems with my dealer and I dont care to go back. I will be moving soon so I can go to a good dealer.

Thanks for the info.



shane