Why is my valve cover wet?
Your valve cover gasket may be leaking for a variety of reasons. It could be shrunken, cracked or rotten, or your valve cover itself may be cracked or broken or one of the valve cover bolts may just be loose, allowing a little leak. Your car may have 1 or 2 valve covers depending on its configuration.
Why do valve cover gaskets leak?
Common source of oil leaks: valve cover gasket Valve covers are typically made of lightweight aluminum, or magnesium, plastic composite or stamped steel and may warp over time, so the surface that mates with the cylinder head is no longer flat, creating oil leaks.
What happens when valve cover gasket leaks?
Engine is running rough and causing misfires Sometimes when oil leaks from a valve cover gasket it leaks all the way down to the spark plug galley and eventually seeps inside the spark plug tubes. This will cause a misfire or reduce engine performance. It can also cause a fire under your hood if it goes unrepaired.
How to replace a leaky valve cover on a car?
1 Remove the Leaky Valve Gasket Cover. Start the job by removing the decorative plastic cover on the top of the engine (if equipped). 2 Replace the Old Gasket. Peel off the old gasket and clean the valve cover with brake cleaner and clean rags. Next, clean the gasket mating surfaces on the engine. 3 Adding Silicone Sealant
When to replace a bad valve cover gasket?
In all of the above scenarios or warning signs, the root issue is typically caused by a valve cover gasket that has broken, is pinched, or has been improperly applied if new. When you notice these symptoms, contact a mobile mechanic from YourMechanic to diagnose the problem and replace the bad valve cover gasket correctly.
Where to look for a bad valve cover?
With that said, if the oil is located on the valve cover area or coming from that region, you can assume you have a bad valve cover or gasket. Look around the edge where the gasket seals the cover to the engine. At first, it might just be a small leak that slowly drips onto the ground.
How do you change oil on old valve cover?
Here’s how you can change car oil yourself. Peel off the old gasket and clean the valve cover with brake cleaner and clean rags. Next, clean the gasket mating surfaces on the engine. Use the plastic putty knife (never metal) to remove any traces of old RTV from the timing belt cover-to-cylinder head.