Valve Cover Oil Leak

whitet777 · 07-27-2003, 11:54 AM

I am pretty sure my driver's side valve cover is leaking a little oil on the exhaust causing the oil smell when I stop the car. I have a 98 OBS.

Can anyone tell me the procedure for replacing the valve cover gasket? I am too cheap to buy the service manuals. How hard is it to do? How long should it take?

Thanks,
Tim

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whitet777 · 07-27-2003, 01:22 PM

Actually, I just changed the oil and looked under there and it looks like the leak is on the passenger side, not the driver's side. It could also be the head gasket after looking at it further. Do the Subaru head gaskets leak over time?

Still need some maintenance instructions for either the valve cover or the head gasket.

Thanks

Albert · 07-27-2003, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whitet777
either the valve cover or the head gasket.
Thanks

If it's oil it's likely the valve cover.
Clean up the valve cover all the way around on a cold engine with a can of brake cleaner first.

Retorquing a leaky valve cover usually doesn't work but it can't hurt at this stage. Use a torque pattern and retighten to 36-48 in/lbs.

whitet777 · 07-27-2003, 07:30 PM

Albert,

Thanks for the info. I will clean it up and look for leaks. I didn't think there would be much chance for oil in the head. Should only be coolant and air/fuel at the head if everything is working right.

I will keep an eye on it. Any advice on a new valve cover gasket???

ciper · 07-28-2003, 02:28 PM

The hardest part about replacing the valve cover gasket is having enough room to take it apart!

The valve cover gasket is VERY easy,

Remove valve cover
Remove old gasket
Install valve cover
Install new gasket

Yours might also have rubber "washers" under the valve cover bolts that need replaced. The valve cover FLOATS between the two rubber parts, realize that the bolts have a torque spec of 14 INCH POUNDS, thats like 4 foot pounds.

whitet777 · 07-28-2003, 02:50 PM

Not to be a smart ass, but isn't 14 inch pounds equivalent to 14/12 or 1.2 ft-lbs?

2 more questions: It looks like the valve covers have weird star shaped bolts. Will a standard socket work with these? Also, should I drain the oil first before working on the valve covers or will no oil be in there to drain all over my face?

BlueTDimly · 07-28-2003, 03:53 PM

whitet777 - can you take pictures/document the process while you're doing it? I'm interested.

ciper · 07-28-2003, 04:47 PM

whitet777:

I dont know what the heck I was writing, now Ive confused myself

Ill look when I get home.

No need to drain the oil, it drains back to the pan. A small amount will be still inside the valve cover, just put a few paper towels under it.

Im pretty sure the bolts you speak of are 12 sided. A majority of tools are designed to fit them, usually you have to specifically get 6 sided.

I seriously suggest replacing both at the same time. Even if the other side is not leaking.

Albert · 07-28-2003, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albert
Use a torque pattern and retighten to 36-48 in/lbs.

48 in/lbs same as 4 ft/lbs

whitet777 · 07-28-2003, 05:59 PM

Albert,

I saw your torque pattern, just had to give ciper a hard time with his math

ciper · 07-28-2003, 09:44 PM

Dang, I thought I was so smart

I didnt even read Alberts post, he isnt supposed to steal my thunder!

07-27-2003, 11:54 AM	#1
whitet777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9378 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kohler, WI Vehicle: 1991 MR2 Red	Valve Cover Oil Leak I am pretty sure my driver's side valve cover is leaking a little oil on the exhaust causing the oil smell when I stop the car. I have a 98 OBS. Can anyone tell me the procedure for replacing the valve cover gasket? I am too cheap to buy the service manuals. How hard is it to do? How long should it take? Thanks, Tim * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-27-2003, 01:22 PM	#2
whitet777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9378 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kohler, WI Vehicle: 1991 MR2 Red	Actually, I just changed the oil and looked under there and it looks like the leak is on the passenger side, not the driver's side. It could also be the head gasket after looking at it further. Do the Subaru head gaskets leak over time? Still need some maintenance instructions for either the valve cover or the head gasket. Thanks

07-27-2003, 07:30 PM	#4
whitet777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9378 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kohler, WI Vehicle: 1991 MR2 Red	Albert, Thanks for the info. I will clean it up and look for leaks. I didn't think there would be much chance for oil in the head. Should only be coolant and air/fuel at the head if everything is working right. I will keep an eye on it. Any advice on a new valve cover gasket???

07-28-2003, 02:28 PM	#5
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	The hardest part about replacing the valve cover gasket is having enough room to take it apart! The valve cover gasket is VERY easy, Remove valve cover Remove old gasket Install valve cover Install new gasket Yours might also have rubber "washers" under the valve cover bolts that need replaced. The valve cover FLOATS between the two rubber parts, realize that the bolts have a torque spec of 14 INCH POUNDS, thats like 4 foot pounds.

07-28-2003, 02:50 PM	#6
whitet777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9378 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kohler, WI Vehicle: 1991 MR2 Red	Not to be a smart ass, but isn't 14 inch pounds equivalent to 14/12 or 1.2 ft-lbs? 2 more questions: It looks like the valve covers have weird star shaped bolts. Will a standard socket work with these? Also, should I drain the oil first before working on the valve covers or will no oil be in there to drain all over my face?

07-28-2003, 03:53 PM	#7
BlueTDimly Scooby Newbie Member#: 24475 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Granite State Vehicle: 1999 Forester L Dirty	whitet777 - can you take pictures/document the process while you're doing it? I'm interested.

07-28-2003, 04:47 PM	#8
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	whitet777: I dont know what the heck I was writing, now Ive confused myself Ill look when I get home. No need to drain the oil, it drains back to the pan. A small amount will be still inside the valve cover, just put a few paper towels under it. Im pretty sure the bolts you speak of are 12 sided. A majority of tools are designed to fit them, usually you have to specifically get 6 sided. I seriously suggest replacing both at the same time. Even if the other side is not leaking.

07-28-2003, 05:59 PM	#10
whitet777 Scooby Newbie Member#: 9378 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kohler, WI Vehicle: 1991 MR2 Red	Albert, I saw your torque pattern, just had to give ciper a hard time with his math

07-28-2003, 09:44 PM	#11
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	Dang, I thought I was so smart I didnt even read Alberts post, he isnt supposed to steal my thunder!