hi, this is my 3rd time replacing my valve cover gasket in about 3 years now. I just had it replaced about a month ago, and its beginning to leak again in the backside of the pass side engine bay. IDK what to do? I heard these cars dont have a PCV Valve, and not sure what else to look for. Should I try a gasket sealant weatherstrip around the valve cover gasket??

 

add some hylosil around the areas where it is leaking

 

A month ago? If someone else did the job take it back on their dime.

Either the cam cover is not flat any more, or it was tightened too much ... or less likely, too litte.

They are plastic and sometimes one of the ears cracks, and does not hold at all.

edit: whoops ... forgot it is an AJI6.

 

hey where can I get hylosil from?? thanks.

 

from dealer or any jag parts dealer, i.e. coventry west, etc

 

hey pancho, was your valve cover gasket every leaking like that?

 

AJ16's don't usually have too much trouble with cam cover leaks unless they are real hard with age or the breather passage is plugged up. The breather passage is at the small hose that tees off of the big elbow hose connected to the left side if the cam cover. It kind of hides under the fuel rail tube. If that is plugged, the crankcase pressure isn't kept in check, and oil leaks [esp. cam cover] can result.

The captured seal type of gaskets on the AJ16 really shouldn't have any sealer used except on the two half-moon pieces at the rear. The head surface should be clean and completely dry. The cam cover fasteners are shoulder bolts that will only compress the seal just so much.

Cheers,

 

thanks for the info xj, what should i do to try and check that hose out? maybe the clamp is too tight? or maybe need a new hose?

 

I've seen a hose collapse before, but it's usually the orifice in the housing the hose connects to that plugs up. Loosen the clamp and break the hose loose, then start the engine. If you pull the hose off the housing nipple, there should be good vacuum at the fitting, if not it needs to be cleaned out.

Cheers,

 

took of the hose portion connected to the head, stuck my finger in and there was alot of gunk in there, whats the best way to clean it out??

 

The gunk is probably in the big sections of the hose, trying to clean it out will probably tear it. I'm talking about the breather orifice in the adapter below the EGR Valve. The small part of the breather hose goes to it. See the .pdf for a picture of the hose nipple. If it's plugged, that's the probable culprit for the repeat cam cover leaks.

Cheers,

 

was it under the egr valve? or right behind it? because I pulled out 2 small hoses behind the egr valve and cleaned out the hose nipple.

 

The one to clean out is dead center in the attached picture. Remove the hose from the housing under the EGR Valve, clean and rod out the passage to the housing. That's the one that keeps the crankcase from building pressure.

Cheers,

 

hi did that, and also degreased the engine and will start fresh and look for looks, if that dosent help, what should be my next step?

 

I think I mentioned this before, but just to be sure....... Leave the clamp loose on that small hose in the picture. Start the engine and pull that hose off the nipple. Check that the nipple has very good vacuum draw with your finger. Then I'll be confident the crankcase pressure will be controlled, and I'll be happy.

Good luck!

 

hey, was browsing through ebay, and had a guy from the UK selling a BRAND NEW valve cover, with entire gasket kit, bolts, and seals for $196 shipped to USA. I couldnt pass that up, he only had 1 left, and I bought it!

 

hey just had a quick question, when adding the hylosil, should I add it with the valve cover gasket on, or so I put some on the calve cover itself in between the gasket and cover and then tighten it down??

 

On that engine, install the one piece gasket around the perimeter of the cover, put the six plug boss seals in place and add sealer to the two half-moon humps at the rear. Use no sealer anywhere else. Clean the head surface with a volatile solvent and wipe completely dry. [brake cleaner works great] Install the cover and secure.

That's it!

 

Has anyone tried Lucas Oil 10278 Engine Oil Stop Leak to stop the leak at these gaskets? If they have did it work?

 

**never** use any sort of "stop leak"

they only very temporarily hinder something that **needs** to be addressed