When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I got back to it today. Took out the air box and started it up. I immediately saw that there was a ton of grime and oily mess on the coolant pipes and along the bottom of the valve cover area. Started smoking pretty badly so I stopped it. Removed the valve cover and cleaned everything. The valve cover gasket was not brittle but is definitely not pliable. I was mistaken, I replaced both valve cover gaskets in Feb. of 2019 60k miles ago. Guess it's time again. Ordered replacements already. I cleaned everything up as best I could. Started it back up and it was still smoking. Went for a drive to let everything burn off. When I got back, I let it idle for a while and no more smoke. Going to test it again tonight. I suspect the valve cover gaskets were seeping. As the engine cooled off, the crud would build up and drip.
No smoke today. Glad it wasn't anything significant. Things like this make me think about how long I want to keep this car. I really like it but I know there will ultiamtely be ome big ticket items that I don't I can handle: oxygen sensors, power steering pump, oil leaks. Hopefully I can get through emissions now.
the valve cover gaskets and did the passenger side tonight. That one bolt under the large coolant hose is a PITA. The old valve cover came out in ~20 pieces. Was defintiely ready to be replaced after 60k miles. Ran out of daylight so will do the drivers side tomorrow. Old valve cover gasket PITA bolt
One option for the Pita bolts. I use a scrap piece of 1/2” copper pipe for a handle extension and compare torque by feel with a properly torqued nearby bolt.
01-28-2024, 05:29 AM
