[Acuda4me]

Hello everyone. My 87 RC 4x4 with 360 4bbl just all of the sudden started leaking oil from both valvecovers. Could they possibly have both gone bad at once? Or do I have a bigger problem lurking?

 

[ProjectM880]

valve cover gasket do go bad. As for both at once im not too sure. There a cheap fix. This is what i would do Replace the valve cover gaskets. Clean the engine with degreaser, too get rid of the oil on the side, That way you will easely spot another leak if it occurs. Run the engine and for awhile (daily driving) And see if they go bad agian. If they do then your best chance it too ask EvilDriver-3, Mrpeal, or chump. They know alot and if they don't know the answer someone on this does.

 

[Slanted_Mind]

Have you done anything under-hood recently? Even something as trivial as tightening the valve cover bolts? (Can warp the covers)

I would also just replace the gaskets, and make sure to take a good look at things while the VC's are off (IE, check to make sure oil drain-back holes are open)

-SM

 

[Acuda4me]

I replaced the lower radiator hose, otherwise, NADA.

 

[macario]

It is possible they could both go bad at the same time or that you never noticed it before either. Try rubber gaskets and read up on the torque spec so you don't over tighten.

 

[Chump]

Check your PCV system to make sure it sucks!

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1991/09-04-91.htm

 

[Bummo]

Could be a factor of thicker oil, thinner oil, heat from the engine / exhaust manifolds, or just bad luck. Keep your good eye on your guages for a while.

 

[Evildriver-3]

Check your PCV system to make sure it sucks!

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1991/09-04-91.htm

Yeah do what Chump said and check the breathers, if not that when you change the gaskets if it does it again in short order you got ring problems {say this part* " in the bob barker price is right you win voice} which in turn = "a new motor" and time to finally think about strokers.

 

[Bummo]

Check your PCV system to make sure it sucks!

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1991/09-04-91.htm

Yeah do what Chump said and check the breathers, if not that when you change the gaskets if it does it again in short order you got ring problems {say this part* " in the bob barker price is right you win voice} which in turn = "a new motor" and time to finally think about strokers.

Hey evil, not doubting what you say but can you explain how the leaky valvecovers could be because of the rings? Not sure I understand exactly how that cause and effect relationship works.

 

[cooper30]

Excessive blowby can cause it, right Marty?

 

[Bummo]

But excessive blowby wont push oil up into the chamber, past the valves, through the guides, and out the valve cover gaskets. Oil could be burned up in the chamber from oil coming down the guides or up past the rings I guess but out the valve cover gaskets?

 

[Evildriver-3]

Technically it could come out every where, most likely the outside perimeter of the valve cover gasket since oil will accumulate there.

If the rings don't seal it will go right by the rings and not back the opposite way and build pressure in the motor enough to blow out every gasket and seal and really have a oil sprinkler system, even without a bad ring just having no pcv will push oil out the dipstick tube the main seals the gaskets and also have a oil sprinkler system

 

[macario]

Yes, it can happen. Did happen to me once on a road trip. Oil gushing out the dipstick tube. Changed out the PCV valve and it was good to go. Sure had me worried for a while.