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02-23-2012, 01:33 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 255582
Join Date: Aug 2010
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Provo, Utah
Vehicle:2002 WRX Blue |
Valve Cover Gasket Leak
I have an 02 WRX and I recently had a problem with my valve cover gasket leaking. I decided to not pay someone to do it since it looked easy enough. Well, I'm an idiot and somehow messed it up. It leaks much more oil now then it did before. I haven't driven it just started it up and let it idle for a bit to see the results. I got everything cleaned well and replaced. I think my big problem is with the bonding agent I used. I don't know if I didn't apply enough or if the stuff I used sucks. I used Indian Head Gasket Shellac Compound. My big question is whether or not I can just take it off again and clean the everything up and use a different compound or if I have to buy another valve cover gasket. Any help would be great!
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02-23-2012, 01:39 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 159909
Join Date: Sep 2007
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Arkansas Little rock..current
Vehicle:2004 STI v4 sti Nardo |
yes you can do it your self. i did it on mine the best way to do it and the right way is buy
the valve cover gasket all the mounting bolts w the little rubber grommets alos buy both of the cam plugs the half black hard moon shaped pieces use Honda bond or Toyota's pfig stuff should run you around 50-60 for everything as i just did this o and the torque is like 2.5 ft pounds so be careful you don't break the bolts as i did and it was a major head ache. if you do all this it will run smooth. and clean clean clean as i cannot stress this enough for the rubber seal to make a nice closed off area around the valve cover. |
02-23-2012, 07:43 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 139816
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:2019 Impreza White |
you only need the RTV over the cam half moons, not around the whole head. and where is it leaking from??
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02-23-2012, 10:10 PM | #4 |
Former Vendor
Member#: 301037
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:2004 Forester XT Aspen White |
Thge half moons are a real pain to get to seal with out the fuji bond. Dont try to use regular rtv as it will breakdown and leak. It is definalty a DIY job though so dont get intimidated
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02-24-2012, 09:13 AM | #5 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 118209
Join Date: Jun 2006
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: North Dakota
Vehicle:2015 WRX Limitec |
Quote:
As someone who has fought the half moons on numerous occasions, the BEST product to use is Hondabond HT. Better than fujibond even, by a long shot. |
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02-24-2012, 12:25 PM | #6 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 159909
Join Date: Sep 2007
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Arkansas Little rock..current
Vehicle:2004 STI v4 sti Nardo |
Quote:
look at that fool he said honda bond...anyways that fuji crap is kind of hard to find. |
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02-24-2012, 12:34 PM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 269662
Join Date: Jan 2011
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NYC
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02-25-2012, 06:38 AM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 255582
Join Date: Aug 2010
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Provo, Utah
Vehicle:2002 WRX Blue |
So I took off the valve cover today and saw that the upper half moon towards the top was already ripped in two. Somehow when I put it on before it must have gotten twisted or I did something else. I've picked up a new gasket and have recleaned everything and tomorrow I'm going to be putting it back together. How long do you suggest letting the hondabond or fujibond sit before turning on the car and driving?
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02-25-2012, 01:40 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 52314
Join Date: Jan 2004
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Following the green weenie
Vehicle:... 02 and 04 WRXs! 2020 G70 3.3T RWD |
Clean Clean Clean everything! Then just use Permatex Ultra Grey on the half moons and the corners of the cam caps on the front. The Ultra Grey is the same thing as Fujibond and does't cost out the a** plus you can buy it at any auto parts store.
*edit* any kind of sealant like that needs to cure at least over night at a minimum, 24hrs would be best. |
02-27-2012, 04:03 AM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 139816
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:2019 Impreza White |
Quote:
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03-19-2012, 03:31 PM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 71665
Join Date: Oct 2004
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Wilmington, NC
Vehicle:1994 Impreza White |
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02-25-2012, 09:25 PM | #12 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 157348
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OOoOuuUUUGGGHH!!!!!
Vehicle:I Thlammed My Penith in the Car Door |
Another vote for Hondabond HT.
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02-26-2012, 01:09 AM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 260651
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Jersey
Vehicle:2004 WRX SILVER |
i did mine last june did both sides in a day no leaks yet... And yes clean every thing the only way ur gonna get a good seal...every post ive read on this almost every one said use honda bond
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03-19-2012, 08:49 AM | #14 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 261290
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Detroit, MI
Vehicle:2004 WRX, 05 LGT, 97 LGT Wagon, 91 MR2, 92 DSM |
Pick up some Hondabond HT, you can find it most power sports shop parts dept (i.e. motorcycle shop/atv/dirt bike). I spent $14 and tax for a tube of it that will probably last me a while. The Subaru FSM states to torque the bolts to 4.7 ft-lbs, so I picked up a in-lb 1/4" torque wrench from Harbor Freight so I could get those hard to reach bolts tightened down.
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03-19-2012, 10:26 AM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 294245
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Uncasville, CT
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Platinum Silver |
To make sure you don't roll the gasket out of the valve cover when putting it on, get some windshield sealant, and run a thin bead inside the valve cover, then put the gasket in and place something heavy and flat, like a textbook on it for about 20 minutes. A Chrysler veteran tech taught me this trick, helped me greatly when doing my drivers side valve cover.
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03-15-2014, 08:14 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 384258
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Vehicle:05 Impreza WRX Obsidian Black |
I've been running my car with a leak for about a year now and having to deal with that awful smell and white smoke. i removed the air intake and found this. do you think its possibly just my valve cover gasket? i have a 05 wrx
Last edited by Udigod; 03-15-2014 at 08:16 PM. Reason: no picture |
03-15-2014, 11:14 PM | #17 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 383633
Join Date: Mar 2014
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Yampa, CO
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Silver |
Very likely its something like that.
Maybe check your CV boots on the on drivers side. If it blows and spews grease on the heatshield it's gonna smell too. When we see your pic it might help clear it up but if you cant see anything else on that side prolly your valve cover. |
03-16-2014, 10:47 AM | #18 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 310506
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Florida
Vehicle:2005 WRX STi CGM |
If the engine is out or you have enough room to get a torque wrench in there, then sweet. Otherwise use a 1/4" socket wrench and just snug them all up. It should be tight, but not torqued down hard like with a 3/8" drive.
Another thing is where you put the honda bond for the valve cover. Please don't do what the DIY's say here because all of the ones I have seen are wrong. The fsm verified this... The RTV for the valve cover goes on the cylinder head, not between the groove of the valve cover and the valve cover gasket, trust me, I've done it incorrectly 3 times and finally read every word of that FSM page, and then called my local Subaru dealer that has been around for a long time and their engine guy confirmed |
03-16-2014, 02:06 PM | #19 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 384258
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Vehicle:05 Impreza WRX Obsidian Black |
How do you post pictures? It's rather difficult on here. I just checked and the driver side boot is torn, but the smoke and smell comes from the turbo area. I also noticed lots of fresh oil on the pipe below the valve cover. I think it might be that.
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03-16-2014, 10:42 PM | #20 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 383633
Join Date: Mar 2014
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Yampa, CO
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Silver |
Yup sounds like the valve covers. Also That boot turns pretty fast at highway speed and has no trouble throwing grease all over your heat shield ect. It can make it all the way too your hood on a well packed boot that tears. The grease burns at a higher temp and you will smell that longer then the regular oil. You will need to get a new CV axle when ever you can as well as your valve covers.
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03-16-2014, 11:40 PM | #21 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 379158
Join Date: Jan 2014
Vehicle:04 wrx PSM |
Does anyone know how much a shop or dealer would charge for install on the valve seal gasket/half moons cam seals/grommets? or how many hours the job is?
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03-17-2014, 12:24 AM | #22 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 310506
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Florida
Vehicle:2005 WRX STi CGM |
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03-17-2014, 12:43 AM | #23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 379158
Join Date: Jan 2014
Vehicle:04 wrx PSM |
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03-17-2014, 01:52 AM | #24 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 383633
Join Date: Mar 2014
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Yampa, CO
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Silver |
.....
Last edited by Shiftace420; 03-17-2014 at 01:53 AM. Reason: nvm |
03-17-2014, 10:00 AM | #25 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315642
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Vehicle:2003 Impreza WRX Midnight Blue |
I was recently quoted by an independent shop $175 per side including gaskets
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