1st rule of leaking valve cover gasket

[Previologist]

I purchased a '99 4R and found a lot of fluid underneath the engine. Seemed to be all over the place. Is this likely from a leaking VCG? What should I look for?

Well with mine the heaviest buildup is (not surprisingly) around the valve covers. They've been leaking for years, but are tied with timing belt on the 2024 todo list, behind clutch. Mine also smokes with smoldering oil when i come to a stop with a hot engine, but that probably isn't diagnostic. You could try cleaning around the valve covers and see if they get oily again.

 

[3bears]

I would spray them down with brake clean, especially near the back ( firewall area) and wipe with a rag, then run it a few days, and with engine cool reach behind ( near firewall) and feel for oil, as well as obvious observation of everything else. Ive done 3, and two the leak was mainly near the half moons, my current rig has a slight leak and I have the parts to do....but where is it leaking ? at the back at the half moons

 

[ninethings]

Checked mine and they were very loose...I imagine a couple could have been removed by hand. Tightened up all the bolts I could get to without removing the intake and...no more leaks.

So, before you go tearing into things do yourself a favor and check the bolts 1st.

Dude… thank you for this. I noticed mine starting to weep a few months ago. Had it in the shop for diag help and they noticed it’d gotten a lot worse. $800 for gasket job. Saw this thread a few days later. Just went out and checked. Half of mine were so loose the ratchet wouldn’t even engage. Had to give em a few turns by hand before snugging to spec. Will keep an eye on it but think I’ve bought myself some time. Thanks again for making this thread

 

[cireg24]

I have leaking VCG

I have a 1999 thats been leaking didnt want to deal with it, but im going to try and see if bolts are loose.

 

[gulkana]

i did just a small drop then followed the FSM torque and pattern No leaks on mine so far

 

[Previologist]

Have a 2000 with 197K on the clock and it starting leaking from the drivers side valve cover. Read through alot of threads getting ready to replace the gaskets. However, I noticed a few people comment that when they did it the valve cover bolts were very loose.

Checked mine and they were very loose...I imagine a couple could have been removed by hand. Tightened up all the bolts I could get to without removing the intake and...no more leaks.

So, before you go tearing into things do yourself a favor and check the bolts 1st.

I heard that somewhere too, but was sure I had already checked them. Wrong. I just checked them again and they were very loose. I tightened them and I didn't notice the usual wisps of oily smoke issuing from the hood the last couple times I parked it. I will sure kick myself if I've been driving it like that all this time because I was too dumb to try tightening the cover.