Valve cover oil leak?

Hey Everyone,

There's a bunch of grime and oil leaking on the front left side on my engine. is this something that can be fixed with a new valve cover gasket, or is there something more? any advice on the repair is appreciated.

Thanks

 

Spray it with some engine degreaser, you'll probably need to brush some off.
But most likely its your valve head cover gasket, especially if its the original.
I think your valve head cover use's rubber donuts to properly tighten it down.
You'll need new ones.
And while your cover is off check your valve clearances.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... asket.html

 

It is hard to see through all that grime.. Omega650 is right, clean off the grease so we can see it better. If you see an obvious crack in the valve cover you will know the problem. You might also be missing a chunk of your gasket depending on your PO's and storage over the years.

 

Get the gunk off there and take it for a good run, then you'll be able to see exactly where the leak is coming from (probs just the gasket but the donuts provide the pressure when the bolts bottom so replace those as well or it will still leak)

After you fix the leak keep the engine nice and clean, not to make it look pretty but to get rid of the heat. Air cooled engines run so much better if they can get their heat away and oil and dirt insulate the surface and slow that process down like you would not believe.

 

The mounting of the Cam Cover to the Cylinder is a Precision Engineered feature intended to facilitate regular Valve Train Maintenance.

Properly fitted with healthy Cam Cover Fastener "Donuts" ... the Cover is designed NOT to Leak ... and ... be re-usable for many removals of the Cover.

Click on the Logo at the top of the page and have our resident parts seller outfit you with a Set of Donuts and a New Cam Cover Gasket

Here's how I recommend you fit the New Gasket.

Since the Cam Cover Gasket fits with such nice precision and needs to be treated such that you can remove the Cam Cover and not damage the Gasket each time, when doing Valve adjustments and inspections, ... take your time getting the New Gasket on just-right and it will last you for years.

Get the Cover meticulously clean where the Gasket will fit.
Make sure the Gasket "Lip Locating Channel" is thoroughly cleaned.

Clean the Channel and where the Gasket goes surgically clean.
Get your Mom's Elmers Glue.
Cut a Carb Cleaner Tube's end at a 45-Degree angle.

Smear >> Lightly Coat >> Lightly apply.

Smear some Elmers in the Channel using your Handy-Dandy Carb Tube which fits the channel Like a glove.
Don't waste time.
Get the Gasket Mounted in there and Position it before the Elmers dries.
SEAT the Gasket.
Wipe-off any Elmers the oozes out on to a moist Paper towel you have tucked into the band of your pants.
Position the Gasket PERFECTLY!
Let dry.
Good show.
Now, get an artist Paint Brush.
Paint the Gasket with a nice thin coat of Oil.
Paint the Engine Surface where the Gasket will touch with a thin coat of Light Oil.
Put the Cover on and POSITION IT.
Tighten down ....>>>> Slowly!
Letting the Gasket SPREAD-OUT as you Tighten.
Torque to spec’s.
It will NOT leak.

 

Thank you for the help, how do i get a parts catalog? I dont see any kind of online store.

 

The parts catalog is presented in the "XJ4Ever Supporting Vendor" forum.

There's no online "store" per se; send member chacal a PM or email info "AT" XJ4Ever.com.