Valve Cover Gasket Leaking....Again!!

[Z-Thrizzle]

So I replaced my leaking vcg before doing an autocross...during the event I see smoke from oil dripping on the headers. The leak seems to be around the back. RTV was placed on the half moon sections and vanos area of the head.

Are the S52 valve covers known to fail or develop cracks?
Would excessive blow-by cause this?

Setup:
VF supercharger 6-7psi
OEM CCV has been deleted with the port for the dipstick is plugged
Crankcase vented to atmosphere

[vollosso]

They can warp. See if its flat.


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[NOTORIOUS VR]

I've basically come to the conclusion that they just all leak.

Last year I swapped to an OBD 1 cover in the attempt to avoid VC leaks. Doesn't help, it leaks in the same spot which for me is between the last 3 VC nuts on the bottom from the back.

Not sure why, maybe it's the proximity of the runner/wg in my case but nothing I've tried works... New gaskets, rubber doughnuts, different VC, gasket maker, even a different head (not due to the leaks). It seems like a new gasket holds for about 2-3 months before it starts to seep.

Very annoying...

[Z-Thrizzle]

They can warp. See if its flat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That case, more than likely it's warped.

I'll look to swapping it out for a new one. Are there any aftermarket, or should I stick to OEM.

I've basically come to the conclusion that they just all leak.

Last year I swapped to an OBD 1 cover in the attempt to avoid VC leaks. Doesn't help, it leaks in the same spot which for me is between the last 3 VC nuts on the bottom from the back.

Not sure why, maybe it's the proximity of the runner/wg in my case but nothing I've tried works... New gaskets, rubber doughnuts, different VC, gasket maker, even a different head (not due to the leaks). It seems like a new gasket holds for about 2-3 months before it starts to seep.

Very annoying...

Good to know. I can live with a little oil burning. Though, I'm getting tired of venting to atmosphere. I'm planning to run the pipe directly to the exhaust.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Good to know. I can live with a little oil burning. Though, I'm getting tired of venting to atmosphere. I'm planning to run the pipe directly to the exhaust.

Unfortunately it's not just oil burning smell, the oil in my case leaks down the header right on/in to the manifold studs, which seems like it causes my manifold nuts to come loose over time due to the constant lubrication.

[lbennyboobool]

Unfortunately it's not just oil burning smell, the oil in my case leaks down the header right on/in to the manifold studs, which seems like it causes my manifold nuts to come loose over time due to the constant lubrication.

That sounds like a disaster! How did you find out they were working loose?

[IR M5]

Probably got a nice ticking noise from exhaust leaks.

[Mklock]

Probably is warped. I had an S52 VC and set it on the cylinder head with no seal, and realized that there was 3/8" gap if I held one corner flat!!! Grabbed one from the local yard, wallah perfectly flat. Sometimes I wish it was an alloy...

[NOTORIOUS VR]

That sounds like a disaster! How did you find out they were working loose?

like IR M5 said, exhaust leak.

Since then I've cleaned and replaced the nuts I could remove with new ones (again) and it's been ok... I rechecked some of them and they seem to be remaining tight for now but I certainly don't let it leak for as long as I did originally when I too thought "ahh it's just a little oil burning smell"

[BMWManiac]

My last one came loose same place and it turned out that the bolt wouldn't catch into the head itself, which required a timesert. If you just replaced the gasket (not Victor Reinz, right?) and applied RTV at the half moons, AND torque the bolts to gutentight, it shouldn't leak. That leaves the valve cover itself or your head.

[E36 HateR]

Ive had no vcg issues with obd1 cover and elring gaskets, victor reinz horrible tho.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

My last one came loose same place and it turned out that the bolt wouldn't catch into the head itself, which required a timesert. If you just replaced the gasket (not Victor Reinz, right?) and applied RTV at the half moons, AND torque the bolts to gutentight, it shouldn't leak. That leaves the valve cover itself or your head.

You would think so, but I've changed the VC and recently the head... yet here I am lol