Oil leak remedy - crossflow

[Rettedm]

Looking for advice sealing up oil leaks from oil pan and valve cover with engine in car still.

 

Any advice or success stories are greatly appreciated!

 

Dave

[bball7754]

Advice I've read and followed for the valve cover is to not over tighten the cover. If you do, it just creates gaps in the gasket.

 

If you have a stamped steel cover, there are load spreading washers that are supposed to help. If you have a cast aluminum cover, you're not supposed to use one type of gasket, but confess I can't remember if it's the cork gasket or not.

 

No advice on the oil pan. Mine leaked until I had my engine rebuilt - now it doesn't. But don't know what the engine builder used.

 

Steve

[locost7018]

If it is a Xflow and not leaking oil then you are out of oil!!!!! Russ

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

Here are my findings:

 

Valve cover: I like rubber gaskets if you can get them. I generally use permatex "the right stuff" and apply only to the worst surface. This allows you to crack it open when needed for valve adjustments. Do not over tighten, but this is less critical with cast covers.

 

Oil pan- paper or cork will work, but I really like the rubber half moon seals for the front and rear covers. Again recommend "the right stuff" by permatex. I've also used studs at the four corners of the pan which helps keep the gasket in place while tightening. Again- loctite and do not over-tighten.

 

My pre-crossflow doesn't leak any oil, actually.

[coffee break]

My crossflow has leaked oil from the pan gasket. I have replaced the gasket since the engine came out due to tranny work. I used Permatex #2, old school stuff. No results yet, it's still on the engine stand. My tranny mechanic told me it wasn't leaking, it was marking it's territory.:blush:

[Rettedm]

Thanks, I have a alloy valve cover and managed to seal it with a FelPro gasket except for the very front behind the thermostat housing.

 

My main concern is the flood coming from the front of the oil pan. Is there any problem changing the rubber half round seals with the engine/tranny in the car?

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

It's possible, but more difficult work since you're working upside down.

[coffee break]

I thought about attempting to replace the pan gasket, but there are at least 2 bolts behind the bellhousing shield that could not be accessed without separating the engine form the tranny. I am pondering on how to modify the shield to remove the lower portion with everything still together. The gap in the shield is how I found it, I'm not sure what the purpose is.