Valve Covers Leaking

[RJ2]

Had southeast diesel do the valve adjustment awhile back . Just noticed the back 4 covers are leaking. Is it common practice to reuse the gaskets or should they have replaced them? Thanks RJ

 

[QRTRHRS]

RJ,



I reused mine a couple of times then started getting some seepage around 110k. Originally black, they are now grey in color and much softer, silicon I guess. I recently discovered a leak in one of mine because the gasket was out of place. They don't "cling" to the covers as well when you are putting them in place. They seal well though.

 

[vinconco]

Replace w/ the newer gray colored gaskets, also relace the "o" rings on the bolts. About $30. at the dealer

 

[MikeR]

Last year during a valve adjust I changed the original black ones to the grey ones, and I am not impressed with the greys. After a couple of months, I took the covers back off to install a set of chrome ones and I used a rag and cleaned the gaskets and they stretched out a little making it hard to re-install them. Now they seep a little too.



I have a NOS set of black ones, once I get the engine detailed how I want it, I'm going back to them.



-Mike

 

[vinconco]

Dang, and I thought the gray ones were supposed to be better.

Has there ever been a valve cover that didn't leak

If mine leak again I think I'll:{

 

[CWeidenkeller]

Stick with the grays. The blacks get brittle after a while, then they leak. I've had the grays on for at least six months and they don't leak a drop. I've taken them off to adjust the valves and put them back on and they still don't leak. Just make sure when you clean them to put them back on, you don't stretch 'em out. I used a rag and lots of WD40... .



Maybe the profound lack of sunshine in Seattle has a detrimental effect on the gray gaskets... ...

 

[Turbo Thom]

I put the grey ones on mine and have had the covers off twice for adjustment, with no leaks yet.



. . Preston. .

 

[pathaymond]

Get the gray cover had them on my 93 cummins black was good for 100K and 3 valve adjustments Gray may still be in there at 550K and many on offs they never leaked a drop always use a little wd 40 if you are wiping them down or you will stretch them.

 

[MikeR]

WD40! What!! Sorry but, you said if I DON'T use WD40 then I WILL stretch out my gaskets?? So you're saying that the WD40 is going to keey my grey gaskets from stretching, right? Sorry, I but don't buy it.



PS, If anyone has 1 or 2 unused sets of black gaskets, I'll buy them for my stock pile. PM me.



-Mike

 

[CWeidenkeller]

You will when them black gaskets keep leaving oil stains on your driveway.....

 

[pathaymond]

Opinions are like rectoms every one has one!! sorry that a simple wipe with wd 40 confused some lets see I would wipe the gaskets clean with a rag and before I wiped the gasket I would shoot a little wd on the gasket it cleans and prevents drag as in stretch of the gasket. If wd 40 is some problem to use please let me know????? :--) :--) :--)

 

[FL70CAT]

When's the last time the breather bottle was drained??