Common Problem ? Valve Cover Gasket Leaking Causing Misfire

twistedmentality · 10-30-2012, 07:58 PM

is it common for a valve cover gasket to leak around the spark plug causing oil to foul out the plug ?

my car was shuddering and spitting yesterday and i took it to the mechanic. read the codes and took the boot off of plug 3 and it was full of oil. he said it was a common problem with cars that had recessed plugs.

wondering what you guys thought.

thanks.

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KelConquer · 10-30-2012, 10:44 PM

It can happen, it was one of the troubleshooting things I went through to find out why my #4 was misfiring, bought new spark plugs and gasket all ready to do the job but under inspection there was no oil on my plugs so since i'd already gotten all of the supplies I replaced both valve cover gaskets anyways, including the gaskets that go around the spark plugs themselves. Chances are one of the gaskets around your plugs is letting oil onto the plug. The job can be done yourself with patience, some of the bolts are hard to get to depending on what side you'll be working on..

twistedmentality · 10-30-2012, 11:10 PM

i was quoted 300.00 for the job. thats from a local shop my brother in law is in partners with so i trust them but dont get no break on prices...

id take it to Ramono where i got it but i know they will be even more expensive ( i see your from Syracuse, i live in Auburn)

evilWagon · 11-02-2012, 02:36 PM

Check out the DIY thread, I added information specific to the 06/07 after I did mine, because of the design of the AVLS systems in our cars you have to disconnect the engine mounts and raise the engine to have enough clearance to remove the driver side cover and do a proper job. The passenger side is easy enough to get off with the engine still in place but a paint to get back in place while keeping the gasket where it should be. I failed the first time, it shifted and got pinched and started leaking oil on startup.

You CAN do it yourself with some basic tools, time and patience though. The 3M gasket glue is awesome as well but it's $$.

treksofar · 11-02-2012, 04:47 PM

Happened on mine. Passenger side went first. Took 45 min to replace gasket and tube seals...$35 in total for parts.

twistedmentality · 11-04-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treksofar

Happened on mine. Passenger side went first. Took 45 min to replace gasket and tube seals...$35 in total for parts.

hmmmm, i was told 3 hours.

GEE-OTTO · 11-04-2012, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twistedmentality

hmmmm, i was told 3 hours.

It takes a while to do the gaskets on both sides at home. You will need to raise the engine up quite a bit to ensure enough clearance to get the coves off and on without compromising the new gaskets positioning.

I bought the OEM Subaru kit over the FELPRO kit even though is cost more. $300 isnt that bad, I was quote $470 to do the gaskets and adjust the valves so rather than risk it ill probably go that route.

twistedmentality · 11-04-2012, 11:52 PM

well it should be done monday. ill let ya know how it went.

07RezaWagon · 11-05-2012, 12:27 PM

The passenger side gasket went on my 07 with 75k miles.. it was only like 35 bucks for the gasket kit at oreilly and an hour of wiggling the cover off and back on.

BlackFighter · 11-05-2012, 02:29 PM

Easy to do it yourself. Just need small hands and time. $300 is crazy to pay.

twistedmentality · 11-06-2012, 02:45 PM

well its all finished. working well. with the weather crappy here and the fact they had to jack the engine im glad i had it done by a shop.

gdoggmoney · 11-13-2012, 01:15 PM

Adjust your valves while in there if you have an SOHC car.

I heard "They are noisy engines, no worry" millions of times. My exhaust valves were 2x+ what they should have been and intakes were way out of spec too.

Gained a bunch of power and lost a bunch of misfires from the newfound seal as well as the proper valve lift and timing.

10-30-2012, 07:58 PM	#1
twistedmentality Scooby Newbie Member#: 276600 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: central new york Vehicle: 2006 impreza 2.5i silver	Common Problem ? Valve Cover Gasket Leaking Causing Misfire is it common for a valve cover gasket to leak around the spark plug causing oil to foul out the plug ? my car was shuddering and spitting yesterday and i took it to the mechanic. read the codes and took the boot off of plug 3 and it was full of oil. he said it was a common problem with cars that had recessed plugs. wondering what you guys thought. thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-30-2012, 10:44 PM	#2
KelConquer Scooby Newbie Member#: 321498 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: International Location: Syracuse, NY Vehicle: 1998 Legacy W. EJ25 Black	It can happen, it was one of the troubleshooting things I went through to find out why my #4 was misfiring, bought new spark plugs and gasket all ready to do the job but under inspection there was no oil on my plugs so since i'd already gotten all of the supplies I replaced both valve cover gaskets anyways, including the gaskets that go around the spark plugs themselves. Chances are one of the gaskets around your plugs is letting oil onto the plug. The job can be done yourself with patience, some of the bolts are hard to get to depending on what side you'll be working on..

10-30-2012, 11:10 PM	#3
twistedmentality Scooby Newbie Member#: 276600 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: central new york Vehicle: 2006 impreza 2.5i silver	i was quoted 300.00 for the job. thats from a local shop my brother in law is in partners with so i trust them but dont get no break on prices... id take it to Ramono where i got it but i know they will be even more expensive ( i see your from Syracuse, i live in Auburn)

11-02-2012, 02:36 PM	#4
evilWagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 128739 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ontario Vehicle: 07 2.5i SE Wagon OBP	Check out the DIY thread, I added information specific to the 06/07 after I did mine, because of the design of the AVLS systems in our cars you have to disconnect the engine mounts and raise the engine to have enough clearance to remove the driver side cover and do a proper job. The passenger side is easy enough to get off with the engine still in place but a paint to get back in place while keeping the gasket where it should be. I failed the first time, it shifted and got pinched and started leaking oil on startup. You CAN do it yourself with some basic tools, time and patience though. The 3M gasket glue is awesome as well but it's $$.

11-02-2012, 04:47 PM	#5
treksofar Scooby Newbie Member#: 208070 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: West Boylston, MA Vehicle: 2006 Impreza 2.5i Regal Pearl Blue	Happened on mine. Passenger side went first. Took 45 min to replace gasket and tube seals...$35 in total for parts.

11-04-2012, 11:52 PM	#8
twistedmentality Scooby Newbie Member#: 276600 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: central new york Vehicle: 2006 impreza 2.5i silver	well it should be done monday. ill let ya know how it went.

11-05-2012, 12:27 PM	#9
07RezaWagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 291657 Join Date: Aug 2011 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Kennewick, WA Vehicle: 2007 2.5i Wagon CGM	The passenger side gasket went on my 07 with 75k miles.. it was only like 35 bucks for the gasket kit at oreilly and an hour of wiggling the cover off and back on.

11-05-2012, 02:29 PM	#10
BlackFighter Scooby Specialist Member#: 193940 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Philly Vehicle: 2004 WRX STI Black RalliSpec Shortblock	Easy to do it yourself. Just need small hands and time. $300 is crazy to pay.

11-06-2012, 02:45 PM	#11
twistedmentality Scooby Newbie Member#: 276600 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: central new york Vehicle: 2006 impreza 2.5i silver	well its all finished. working well. with the weather crappy here and the fact they had to jack the engine im glad i had it done by a shop.

11-13-2012, 01:15 PM	#12
gdoggmoney Scooby Newbie Member#: 158150 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: some place Vehicle: 2007 Impreza 2.5i Newport Blue pearl	Adjust your valves while in there if you have an SOHC car. I heard "They are noisy engines, no worry" millions of times. My exhaust valves were 2x+ what they should have been and intakes were way out of spec too. Gained a bunch of power and lost a bunch of misfires from the newfound seal as well as the proper valve lift and timing.