I replaced right side cam cover gasket Two times on my MY 2000 coupe and ended up with the exact same seepage from lower rear corner of cam cover. Pretty certain I did not make any error during installation. I reviewed prior posts regarding repeated oil leaks from probable crack in the cam cover around the bolt hole and I believe that is the reason for oil seepage on mine. I intend to remove the cover for the third time and look for the crack, has anyone actually seen a crack in their cam cover and if so has anyone ever tried to repair the crack.

A little research indicates a new cover is over $300.00 and I would not feel comfortable spending good money on a used one. Any thoughts out there?

Jack

 

Super glue, if you can find the crack and get it clean with carb cleaner and let it dry for a bit.

 

Yeah, thinking of superglue but also wondering if I could use a solder gun an melt the plastic around the crack.

 

HF does sale a plastic welder, let us know if you have success.

 

Jnelso,

Any update? I looked with a magnifying glass for a persistent leak at the rear of my cam cover, but couldn't find any crack. Maybe the crack only opens up with a hot engine.

As these cam covers are made from Vinyl Ester Plastic (maybe a sort of composite reinforced plastic), getting a glued bond to the substrate is going to be a challenge. Maybe you'll end up filling the crack, as bonding to the substrate is going to be a challenge considering the hot/cold environment.

 

I spent ages looking for a crack in one of my 2001 XK8 cam covers and eventually found evidence of one radiating from a rear bolt hole. I was convinced it only opened up with a combination of:

1. the tension from the securing bolt, and
2. a hot engine.

Graham

 

Finally got around to removing right side cam cover on MY 2000 coupe with 4.0 for third time due to oil leak at rear lower corner of the cover. Thought it might be due to crack in the valve cover but under close scrutiny I could not see any sign of a crack. There was an earlier post from a fellow poster advising that Rock Auto had a closeout sale on Fel-Pro valve cover gasket set (Part # VS50724R), I went on Rock Auto web site and sure enough they had the kit as closeout for $17.61. I ordered the gasket kit at that phenomenal price plus $11.99 shipping. I was a little skeptical about what I would receive at that price, the gasket set arrived in a few days and it was the real deal. Fel-Pro valve cover gasket set with right and left gaskets and all the necessary orings.

I cleaned all surfaces again, replaced the right side cam cover gasket along with all the orings for the bolts and seals for spark plug holes, in addition I put a small coating of gray RTV above and below the valve cover gasket at the right rear corner, torqued all the bolts and followed the recommended tightening sequence. After driving the Jag for a few days no sign of oil leaking from the right side valve cover.