Valve cover leak; 3rd replacement

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

I was going to suggest this. I've had this same issue with a couple of my past beaters. Find the root cause of the oil being forced out of the seals. Are you losing it out of any other seals as well? If you're losing it at that rate, it's likely more than just seepage.

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

That was their thinking after the first replacement. They inspected the PCV valves and said they were not doing their job and replaced them and the valve cover gasket.

I was going to suggest this. I've had this same issue with a couple of my past beaters. Find the root cause of the oil being forced out of the seals. Are you losing it out of any other seals as well? If you're losing it at that rate, it's likely more than just seepage.

Ok.


One more thing. The replacement parts was just the gaskets and not the grommets. According to s parts website, not replacing the grommets has been a known cause for a leak. Perhaps it is rare but take this as a heads up.

[deansbimmer]

If you're losing that much oil, it's going to be more than just because they didn't swap out the grommets. There's got to be a big gaping hole somewhere.

Or your PCV system is MIA. There is only one non-return (PCV) valve in the system on the driver side bank, in the block behind the head. The two black boxes on the valve covers are oil separators.

[L4ces]

Fixed.

Cause:Part of the gasket was visibility out of alignment.

Shop was transparent and I appreciate that. So the ventilation, PCV and gaskets have all been addressed, warranty coverage, engine bay cleaned and undercarriage cleaned.

Grommets, etc were replaced.

Now I can move on to the next problem.

Thanks all.

[Redd]

What was fixed for the ventilation and PCV? Was there a part replacement, or just cleaning?

[Cbozz]

I had my VC replaced about 3 times and it kept leaking oil almost immediately, the issue was that the VC had cracks in paint right where it touches the gasket... too bad that CPO didn't see that and decided to replace my VCs as well - that would be something to do if they had integrity! I ended up replacing my VC gasket myself and having my VCs stripped and powder coated and no more leaks from then on!

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by Redd

What was fixed for the ventilation and PCV? Was there a part replacement, or just cleaning?

issue 1: leaking oil from gasket
diagnosis: leaking gasket
solution: replace valve gasket

issue 2: leaking gasket
diagnosis: faulty PCV causing valve gasket to leak due to excess pressure.
solution:replace gasket and replace PCVs.

issue 3: leaking from gasket (worse than previous leaks).
diagnosis: leaking gasket due to less than perfect install.
solution: replace valve gasket

[L4ces]

I am just paying attention to everything oil related. I am soon due for an oil change (does old oil burn faster...).

Latest Update: 1 hour drive

1. Yesterday afternoon and this morning the oil level at top arrow indicating full (remeasuring had already occurred).
2. This morning 1 hour drive spirited (a few5 k-7K RPMs pulls on hiway).

3. Oil indicator changed from Full mark to Half between the Full and Low mark.


4. I saw one drop of wet something under engine toward the front when I left for lunch. After lunch I parked in a clean area and will check again when I leave work.

5. I slightly detect the oil smell that appears on heavy throttle when I had the heavier leak. I thought is was residue after cleaning... not sure.

6. Did I notice and smoke from the tail pipes on heavy accel?
No.

Next steps:
1. Check for any oil spot on the ground
2. Note oil level,
3. 1-hour drive home with some heavy accelerations to legal speed limit with extra caution.
4. Note fluctuations (if any) of burning oil that was apparent when I had a bad leak
5. Note oil level when home
6. Report back this evening

[UPSROD]

I think older oil does break down and burn faster!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by L4ces

issue 1: leaking oil from gasket
diagnosis: leaking gasket
solution: replace valve gasket

issue 2: leaking gasket
diagnosis: faulty PCV causing valve gasket to leak due to excess pressure.
solution:replace gasket and replace PCVs.

issue 3: leaking from gasket (worse than previous leaks).
diagnosis: leaking gasket due to less than perfect install.
solution: replace valve gasket

Personally I would be worried with your situation.
#s@cks !

Let us know how it goes further...

[L4ces]

FYI: you can ignore the passenger restraint system malfunction.

update:
I see oil residue at the passenger side exhaust header.
The leak may or may not be bad but I’ll know after a few days. I detect that familiar scent of oil burning off of exhaust pipes. If it is the header gasket, it will be super expensive... that may be the time seriously ponder a rebuild or something.


Next steps:
1. Check for any oil spot on the ground
One tiny drop.

2. Note oil level.
3. 1-hour drive home with some heavy accelerations to legal speed limit with extra caution.
4. Note fluctuations (if any) of burning oil that was apparent when I had a bad leak
5. Note oil level when home

Oil level is the same as in the photo. (I checked the iDrive indicator and it showed a full level reading). The indicators did not change after the hour long spirited drive.

6. Report back this evening.
Done

[SEMOM3]

Did the shop make sure the engine was fully clean before giving it back to you? Residual oil burning smell can last for quite a while if any was left to drip down. I'd spray everything down and make sure everything is clean to be able to observe any new leakage.

I think I may have misunderstood your post above, but I you shouldn't leak oil out of an exhaust header. It would likely be coming from somewhere else.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by SEMOM3

Did the shop make sure the engine was fully clean before giving it back to you? Residual oil burning smell can last for quite a while if any was left to drip down. I'd spray everything down and make sure everything is clean to be able to observe any new leakage.

I think I may have misunderstood your post above, but I you shouldn't leak oil out of an exhaust header. It would likely be coming from somewhere else.

I hope they missed a spot during cleaning and yes you read it correctly, but I must have been intoxicated to imply oil leaking from the header gasket. Excuse that gaff. It is comforting to know that the burning oil smell can take some time to fully disappear.

I will clean the area and check again because if it is leaking then I would consider doing that gasket as well (the previous leak was on the driver side).

[L4ces]

It didn?t take long to get down to needing a quart.
Look at the date of my last post!

No evidence of leaking in the engine bay or on the ground.

Twice noticed a Momentary puff of exhaust smoke at the top of a 1st gear pull.

I wish I had recorded the miles. I?ll get the miles on this oil after I dig up the receipt. Older oil burns faster.

the oil sensor measures oil quality. I never noticed any such warning during ownership.

I reset the miles after 1 qt. Will report back.

[8k4]

Are you positive this is from you value cover, typically you will see oil around the cover and dripping on the heads, inspect and let us know.

Second, do you have oil in your coolant? Drain and check, you might have a head gasket issue. If you don't want to drain, send a sample of your oil to Blackstone. Report back

Third, what is your compression/leakdown #s? Normal or not, this will tell you if you have a blow by issue or valve seat issue.

This is how you diagnose where oil is going; simple 1-2-3 method. Don't waste time guessing or getting your chain pulled

[deansbimmer]

If the engine is 173k old as indicated on the cluster, I suspect the engine is aging and experiencing blow by from worn out rings. It would explain just about everything he's experienced so far.

[Cbozz]

yep

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by 8k4

Are you positive this is from you value cover, typically you will see oil around the cover and dripping on the heads, inspect and let us know.

Second, do you have oil in your coolant? Drain and check, you might have a head gasket issue. If you don't want to drain, send a sample of your oil to Blackstone. Report back

Third, what is your compression/leakdown #s? Normal or not, this will tell you if you have a blow by issue or valve seat issue.

This is how you diagnose where oil is going; simple 1-2-3 method. Don't waste time guessing or getting your chain pulled

I don't see any leakage from the top. I will have it inspected.

I appreciate your suggestions ... noted

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

If the engine is 173k old as indicated on the cluster, I suspect the engine is aging and experiencing blow by from worn out rings. It would explain just about everything he's experienced so far.

Just saying, if it is worn rings would one of the options be a rebuild or would that be a quick ring and gasket repair?

[rcracin]

Rebuild. Makes no sense doing all that work and not refreshing the heads as well. Just the gaskets to rebuild is a hefty enough price so might as well do a full rebuild.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Rebuild. Makes no sense doing all that work and not refreshing the heads as well. Just the gaskets to rebuild is a hefty enough price so might as well do a full rebuild.

I hear you. If the diagnosis warrants such work I will begin considering more elaborate measures such as a stroker replacement and other options.

We shall see.

[shimmy23]

Update on this?

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Update on this?

No oil leaks are visible but oil will drop depending on how hard I push it. I am fairly certain it is blow by due to a tired engine.

The oil level stays ok if I drive it spirited which includes is a few 6-7K 1-2 transitions a week.

If I take it to 8K it will experience blow by.
If I sustain 80+ it will burn more oil.

It is fine and I haven't needed a quart for almost 2 months.