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| Message: | Leaky valve covers are indicated by oil. The valve cover seals around the spark plug holes, and around the edges of the cover on top of the cylinder head. So, if it's leaking oil around the cover or in the spark plug holes, you need to pull the valve cover (very carefully, if it's like mine it's made of plastic) and replace the gasket. There's one for the perimiter of the valve cover, and 6 donuts (one for each spark plug hole). If you DIY, be sure to use permatex at teh corners where the gasket makes a tight bend over the camshafts. Easy way to test, with the engine cold (so you don't burn your fingers): 1) Take the plastic covers off the top of the engine. 2 10mm bolts hold them on. 2) run your finger around the edge of the valve cover. If it comes away wet with oil, you've found your leak. 3) the only way to see if it's leaking into the plug holes is to pull the coil packs. 2x10mm bolts hold each one on. Free advice- if it's not leaving drips of oil under the car, and doesn't smoke or smell like burnt oil, i wouldn't worry too much about it. If you smell burning oil, or see smoke rising off the engine compartment when the motor's hot (but not running), then you have a leak serious enough to warrant attention. The Valve cover gasket set runs I think around $70 (from memory). "sooty" deposits on the head are most likely where oil has leaked adn dirt/dust/grime have stuck to the oil. | ||||
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