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V8 valve cover(ish) leak

2.6K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  voortreger  
#1 ·
2005 V8, had an oil leak, passenger side, back of the head, high, seemed like the valve cover.
I replaced the valve cover gasket (VS) but not the cam cap or the half-moon below the tensioner.
It started to leak again (or continued).
Soon after I replaced the valve cover gasket again, this time with cam cap and the half-moon.
Of course, its still leaking.
I went under the car, cleaned everything, pressure washed it, so i can narrow it down.
Looks like the oil is coming from the bolt that holds that hard pipe to the head/block.
The edge of the valve cover is dry, cant touch any fresh oil, cam cap and the half-moon seems dry, checked with mirror and camera.

Any suggestion what should i do, check?

Thank you!



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#2 ·
I have the exact same problem with my 05 v8. Replaced gaskets and can see they are dry but still have drops on the floor. I also noticed that when parked on the driveway at a slight incline with nose up the leak is more problematic than inside the garage. Please let me know when you find the solution. I am out of ideas.

Can the bolt in the picture just be in need of tightening?
 
#3 ·
I fixed mine.

Originally I ordered Victor Reinz valve cover gasket (2). Did both side, user error, i didnt do the half moon or the cam caps.
Passenger side was leaking a little bit.
Ordered a new set of Victor Reinz valve cover gasket (2), did both cam caps.
Passenger side was still leaking a little bit, from the half moon...
Ordered the the chain tensioner tool, my local source didnt have VR valve cover gasket in stock, so I went with amazon "X AUTOHAUX" (2)

This was the biggest mistake, now i know. pure garbage.

I installed the passenger side, cam cap was dry just like the half moon under the tensioner,but it was still leaking now heavily.
I removed it, installed the other pair of this X AUTOHAUX vs, cleaned the valve cover, used the proper sealant, yet it was leaking again, heavily.
The leak came from/around the last bolt of the lower section of the passenger side vc.

I took it apart again (now it takes me like 10mins max) , removed the X AUTOHAUX garbage and compared it newly ordered Victor Reinz vc gasket.... OMG what a difference.

User error was a big part of this BS, I should have done everything at the same (first) time, with quality valve cover gasket, sealant, etc.
However the lesson here is: do not buy cheap chinise **** even if you are in a pinch.

I had a few extra good, healthy valve cover bolts, i replaced the lower ones but that wasn't the issue. If the rubber is soft,and not too collapsed, they will seal.
Ive checked the flatness of the valve cover, it was pretty straight.