smoke after new valve cover gaskets

[pjm8047]

Hey guys,quick question.I installed new valve cover gaskets last year on my roadrunner ever since then I'm getting smoke from the back side of the drivers side valve cover but not alot.I thought it was just oil burning off that spilled out when I replaced them but it still burning.Someone told me I should put rtv on the valve cover bolts.Any more ideas?

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

1st verify where the oil is coming from.Did the gasket sqeeze out when you tightened it down??Did you retighted after a few heat cycles? Sometimes just tightening will stop the leak,just hafta take a closer look.

 

[Canyon707]

there leaking. just enough to cause that I had a couple of issues like that. I bought new valve covers and Morsco rubber gaskets now no leaks. Do not over tighten and tighten from center to outside gradually. I think a bout 90 inch pounds or 6 ft lbs.

 

[pjm8047]

1st verify where the oil is coming from.Did the gasket sqeeze out when you tightened it down??Did you retighted after a few heat cycles? Sometimes just tightening will stop the leak,just hafta take a closer look.

yes I retightened them with a 3/8 drive ratchet after a few drive cycles.I didnt see the gasket squeeze out.the valve cover has a lip that goes over the head so i cant tell.

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any fix without changing them?I'd rather just leave leave it if thats the case

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

If you can tell where exactly where it's leaking,you can then address the problem.

 

[ynst]

I ALWAYS had problems with rubber gaskets leaking, even when the car was new. I never used rubber gaskets. I always used cork gaskets and never had problems with them leaking.

Rubber gaskets are too slippery and they squirt out between the bolts.

If you insist on using rubber gaskets, glue them to the valve cover with hi-tack gasket cement and let the cement dry thoroughly before you install the covers. Once the gaskets are firmly affixed to the underside of the valve cover, slippage is minimized/eliminated.

 

[pjm8047]

Im not with the car right now to check where its leaking from but if its leaking from the bolts will rtv help?

 

[Dennis H]

Just gently snug after a number of heat cycles first. These can be a real pain in the ***. Been there. Mine was firewall on drivers side too. Have a 6 point socket, don't over tighten or round off. Use a fender cover, wait til the next morning to ensure completely cold.

 

[coloradodave]

Get yourself an inspection mirror. Any hardware store will have them. With a small flashlight and the mirror you can see 'up under' the V/C lip. Move it around until you find the wet spot (I know, I know).

 

[Glenn's hc]

Do you have Crome aftermarket valve covers? I've always found putting a light coating of black rvt silicone to the cover surfaces then install a good set of Cork gaskets , press them in place and let set for 15 minutes, then install and do not over tighten , I've seem way to many folks wrench down on the covers too much causing the gaskets to distort and squeeze out causing leaks

 

[pjm8047]

Factory covers

 

[Shorthorse]

All too often guys will put too much torque on the valve covers. This can be seen easily when removed. The bolt holes start to look like funnels. In extreme cases it also bends the flange. When you finally remove your valve covers check the bolt holes and flange. The torque spec for stamped is 40 in/lbs. Like Glenn's hc said, whether it's stamped steel or aluminum, if you see the gasket pancaking out the side, you've gone way to far.

 

[pjm8047]

Well i notest the some of the bolts looked oily so i put some red rtv on them and put the back on but no too tight.so ill see it that does it.ill also degreased the motor.ill let u guys know how it works out