valve covers leaking

[Hookemupman]

I just adjusted my valves on my 98 12 valve and now the valve covers are leaking,should i have replaced the gaskets? They appeared to be ok. Has anyone else had a problem with them leaking?Thanks Jason

 

[CumminsPower98]

same...

I also have a '98 12 valve and adjusted my valves and sure enough my valve covers leaked after that. They looked fine to me but I guess they were not as soft as new ones. I put new ones on and it sealed it right up.

 

[PHaller]

valve cover gs

There are 2 generations of valve cover gs for the 12 valver... the black ones and the grey ones. The grey ones are slightly softer and don't degrade from heat as fast.

-Paul R. Haller-

 

[QRTRHRS]

I always pressure wash the engine prior to doing something like adjusting the valves. I wiped the head and gasket down but never cleaned between the valve cover and gasket. I had very minimal seepage until after 100k. Have the new grey ones on now.

 

[Mr. Hemi]

At close to 72000 miles I am ready to do the valve adjustment again, and ordered the new gaskets just to have on hand. Happened to have noticed the old ones were a little moist with oil from the previous adjustments. I find it better to have them on ahnd when gettingready to do the work. Paul is correct in theat the original or black gaskets degrade with heat and time, when I ordered mine I got the gray ones, last week. If anyone wants the PN let me know I will post it. Additionally it is a must to replace the O rings for the bolts since they affect the amount of "crush"(compression) you get when reinstalling.

 

[Pthomas]

O rings are the key and cheap

 

[Don M]

Grey gaskets if you need them and o-rings are the ticket like pthomas stated.



Don~

 

[Forrest]

On the O ring - Is this 1 gasket with O rings?

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I just got the grey gaskets from a truck supply place - part number 3930906. $3. 81 ea.



The o-rings were part number 3910824. $0. 36 ea



Hopefully will adjust them tomorrow (if it doesn't rain). I've never adjusted the valves on my truck (just got it in July). Any tricks to it? I've adjusted plenty of tractor and older engine valves.



Thanks!

Dan

 

[radixr]

Valve Adjustment

Dan,



There is an excellent how to article in one of the TDR mags. about adjusting your valves. Somewhere around Issue #24, I think. There is no need to use the timing pin as locating exact top dead center is not necessary. I turned the engine over by grabbing the crankshaft damper. All in all, it's not a hard job. Take your time and you will be ok. Oo.

 

[QRTRHRS]

One drawback with the grey valve cover seals that I picked up on this weekend. I had one leaking because it got out of place when I put the cover on. Didn't cut it though. I just positioned it correctly with the help of a mirror. They don't cling as well as the stiffer black ones.

 

[Hookemupman]

I wanted to let you that i went to dealer yesterday and buught new gaskets,they said they only have the grey ones now,and i put them on, now it not leaking,thanks for the help