Valve Cover Leak

herndy_1 · 04-28-2008, 02:34 PM

I just found out that the fluid on my bellhousing was not tranny fluid, but oil apparently leaking down the back of my engine from my valve covers. I need to replace the Valve Cover gaskets. The Ford garage wants $300 to do it. I think I could do it myself. How difficult is this job?

If I am correct, I will also need to remove my TB, and will need a new intake manifold to plenum gasket. Is this right?

Will I need anything else?

Quick responses appreciated, TIA

EDIT: It won't hurt anything to drive on it for ~3 weeks until I get home to work on it, correct? (as long as I keep an eye on my engine oil level)

bassman97 · 04-28-2008, 03:05 PM

You don't need to remove anything other than the valve covers to change the valve cover gaskets. However, those gaskets are nothing more than a giant rubber bead so check to see if all the cover bolts are torqued to the right specs. It may be leaking because one is loose.

TUFF 4.6 · 04-28-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman97

You don't need to remove anything other than the valve covers to change the valve cover gaskets. However, those gaskets are nothing more than a giant rubber bead so check to see if all the cover bolts are torqued to the right specs. It may be leaking because one is loose.

+1

99Stang · 04-28-2008, 03:18 PM

EDIT: It won't hurt anything to drive on it for ~3 weeks until I get home to work on it, correct? (as long as I keep an eye on my engine oil level)

No it wont hurt anything. (as long as the oil is full)

redfire04 · 04-28-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herndy_1

EDIT: It won't hurt anything to drive on it for ~3 weeks until I get home to work on it, correct? (as long as I keep an eye on my engine oil level)

I had the same problem but ford replaced mine under warranty. Mine was the passenger side...good thing I got longtubes because we noticed it during the install. Depending on how bad the leak is you'll be fine driving on it. I drove for 2-3 weeks on mine before it was fixed...plus however long it was leaking before I noticed it. It was a minor leak though so like I said it depends on how bad it is. Just keep an eye on the oil level.

ANDYS87 · 04-28-2008, 05:43 PM

Don't go nuts tightening the valve cover bolts. The torque spec is something like 80-100 inch pounds(that would be 7-9 ft lbs). If you don't have a torque wrench, use a 1/4 inch drive socket wrench and snug them all.

If you are replacing, you have to remove anything thats in the way of getting the valve covers off. I will be putting on some aftermarket valve covers in a few weeks. I just eyeballed it and looks like my strut tower brace will have to be removed and cold air kit. You don't have to remove your throttle body.

herndy_1 · 04-28-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman97

You don't need to remove anything other than the valve covers to change the valve cover gaskets.

Are you sure the V6 isn't different from the GT on this?

ANDYS87 · 04-28-2008, 05:56 PM

Good question...mine is a 99 GT. I don't know what is involved if the car is a 6 cylinder?

bassman97 · 04-28-2008, 06:01 PM

I assumed GT but I doubt the TB would be in the way even on the 6. Plus, I'd assume Ford used the same style gasket as the 4.6 or the 5.0, in which the 5.0 I know didn't have reusable gaskets (as far as I know). Valve covers are really the same, no matter the engine. What's different is what's in the way of it (e.g. inlet tubes).

herndy_1 · 04-29-2008, 09:05 PM

Why is this leaking too?

spike_africa · 04-30-2008, 07:22 AM

Thats your PCV valve (pressurized crankcase ventilation) it uses engine vacuum to pull pressure out of the engine and helps the rings seal better to. Its leaking because either the seal on the valve cover is bad or the PVC is cracked/bad. Both are cheap super easy repairs just a matter of pulling them off and installing new.

3.8LMustang · 04-30-2008, 07:25 AM

YA THE GASKETS ON UR VALVE COVERS ARE VERY EASY TO CHANGE MY FRIEND AND I DID THAT TO MY STANG

04-28-2008, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
herndy_1 Red Six Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 559	Valve Cover Leak I just found out that the fluid on my bellhousing was not tranny fluid, but oil apparently leaking down the back of my engine from my valve covers. I need to replace the Valve Cover gaskets. The Ford garage wants $300 to do it. I think I could do it myself. How difficult is this job? If I am correct, I will also need to remove my TB, and will need a new intake manifold to plenum gasket. Is this right? Will I need anything else? Quick responses appreciated, TIA EDIT: It won't hurt anything to drive on it for ~3 weeks until I get home to work on it, correct? (as long as I keep an eye on my engine oil level) __________________ Last edited by herndy_1 : 04-28-2008 at 02:46 PM.

04-30-2008, 07:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,868	Thats your PCV valve (pressurized crankcase ventilation) it uses engine vacuum to pull pressure out of the engine and helps the rings seal better to. Its leaking because either the seal on the valve cover is bad or the PVC is cracked/bad. Both are cheap super easy repairs just a matter of pulling them off and installing new. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

04-30-2008, 07:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
3.8LMustang Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 486	YA THE GASKETS ON UR VALVE COVERS ARE VERY EASY TO CHANGE MY FRIEND AND I DID THAT TO MY STANG __________________ 1996 Mustang 1/2" Intake Manifold Spacer, 180 Degree Thermostat, SCT XCalibrator 3 Mustang X3 Power Flash Tuner, Port and Polish Upper Intake Manifold, BBK Underdrive Pulley Kit, Aftermarket Cold Air Intake, 3" Exhaust Tips, PYPES Stainless 2.5" True Dual Converter Back, w/o Cats, Pypes Street Pro Mufflers, Screamin Demon Ignition Coil, 10mm Livewire Spark Plug Wires (Red)

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04-28-2008, 03:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
bassman97 blank Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,345	You don't need to remove anything other than the valve covers to change the valve cover gaskets. However, those gaskets are nothing more than a giant rubber bead so check to see if all the cover bolts are torqued to the right specs. It may be leaking because one is loose.

04-28-2008, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
99Stang Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lynbrook, NY Posts: 43	EDIT: It won't hurt anything to drive on it for ~3 weeks until I get home to work on it, correct? (as long as I keep an eye on my engine oil level) No it wont hurt anything. (as long as the oil is full)

04-28-2008, 05:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
ANDYS87 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 84	Don't go nuts tightening the valve cover bolts. The torque spec is something like 80-100 inch pounds(that would be 7-9 ft lbs). If you don't have a torque wrench, use a 1/4 inch drive socket wrench and snug them all. If you are replacing, you have to remove anything thats in the way of getting the valve covers off. I will be putting on some aftermarket valve covers in a few weeks. I just eyeballed it and looks like my strut tower brace will have to be removed and cold air kit. You don't have to remove your throttle body.

04-28-2008, 05:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
ANDYS87 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 84	Good question...mine is a 99 GT. I don't know what is involved if the car is a 6 cylinder?

04-28-2008, 06:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
bassman97 blank Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,345	I assumed GT but I doubt the TB would be in the way even on the 6. Plus, I'd assume Ford used the same style gasket as the 4.6 or the 5.0, in which the 5.0 I know didn't have reusable gaskets (as far as I know). Valve covers are really the same, no matter the engine. What's different is what's in the way of it (e.g. inlet tubes).