Oil leak search

[FoneRunner]

I recently did an oil change and found that there wasn't much oil on the dipstick but plenty on the skid plates...so I began a search for the source of the oil leak. At first I thought it might be just a worn out plug washer, so I did another oil change to replace that. It still seems to be leaking though so I continued my search. Today I noticed oil on the exhaust manifold so I put my hand under the valve cover and it was pretty oily. I took a pic of the spot that caught my attention....so opinions? I didn't think valve covers were a problem with this motor...and since I'm due for a timing belt anywayis it much more work to replace the valve cover gaskets?

 

[Sig220]

Try tightening them first, if that doesn't work then look to change them.

Good Luck!

 

[FoneRunner]

Today I tightened the bolts on the valve cover. They seemed very loose to me, in fact a couple I was able to turn by hand. So I took the trusty old 10mm socket to them. I let the engine warm up to operating temp and watched as oil dripped from the cover onto the exhaust manifold. Thats when I grabbed my little 10mm wrench and tightened them more! As I was tightening the one on the drivers side closest to the bumper, I heard a pop...and sure enough its cracked now! Moral of this story is, if you don't know you're not supposed to really crank them down, then leave them alone.

 

[rjaudi]

They are only supposed to go to 10-15 ft.lbs. I cant remember. Unfortunately the drivers side requires the intake manifold to be removed.

 

[Limited2K]

I was having the same issue. I keep finding that i'm low on the dipstick and couldn't figure out why. I then found oil on the manifold too and pulled a wrench out to tighten them. I just snugged them up because i was afraid of them cracking too. Every bolt needed tightening. Are the heat cycles that intense that it's backing these bolts out? I guess i'll just keep checking up on them every oil change.

 

[koulee]

I was having the same issue. I keep finding that i'm low on the dipstick and couldn't figure out why. I then found oil on the manifold too and pulled a wrench out to tighten them. I just snugged them up because i was afraid of them cracking too. Every bolt needed tightening. Are the heat cycles that intense that it's backing these bolts out? I guess i'll just keep checking up on them every oil change.

More like the vibration from the motor.