Rear valve cover seal change GONE BAD

[masho95]

Well the first time this ever happened to me, it appears I rolled the rear lip of the valve cover gasket on the rear cover. I had just put everything back together and started it up and it seemed to run ok. It started to warm up and as it did I started to watch it smoke from the rear of the engine. So at this point I wasn't too happy as I started to pull it all apart again and proceeded to reseal the rear valve cover. Put it all back together and ran it, was still smoking but I expected this as the exhaust manifolds when they meet the block were quite soaked with oil. Not sure exactly how long I ran it but it was probably like 15-20 minutes. I guess my question is how long should I expect it to continue smoking if it's all sealed properly this time. I don't think it's still leaking but I can't tell either, I don't see any oil dripping to the floor this time. Before there was two small drops below the rear of the engine. Any ideas on this one?

 

[40BelowSummer]

EXACT same thing happened to me when I did my 60K two weeks ago. I rolled it, took it apart again, siliconed and reinstalled it, started it up.....and still lots-o-smoke. I thought "well mabe if I just drive it all that oil from before will burn off." So I drove it every day for like three days on some nice 10 minute trips to burn it off. Took longer then I though ( I was starting to get nervous) but after about 3 days it stopped smoking and all is well now. During this time I also climbed down there and kinda wiped the cats off.

Dont be as nervous as i was, unless it doesnt go away after a few "heat cycles"

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Ditto, same thing here, it took nearly a week of driving back and forth to work (10 mins) to get it all burned off.

 

[DHMag]

a good romp up to 7K RPM/120 MPH a few times will quicken the burnoff time

 

[masho95]

I put my hand down by the rear lip of the valve cover to feel for leaks after it cooled down the next morning. Didn't feel any oil anywhere, so I ran it to the bank, and to a wedding and reception. Still was smoking a little but seemed to be getting much better. Next day I drove up to Maine and by the time we got there, there wasn't a trace of any smoke coming from the car anymore. Glad it's finally all set, I was kinda upset, to say the least when I found out what I did after all that work.

 

[morpho18]

Did I just get lucky when replacing my valve cover gaskets? I have only done it once, and never have done any work like it, and I didn't have any oil leaks.

 

[masho95]

Did I just get lucky when replacing my valve cover gaskets? I have only done it once, and never have done any work like it, and I didn't have any oil leaks.

Depends on how carefully you worked. Having a second person almost always makes things go a little smoother too. I was having a problem with the tubing on the fuel rails and the rear of the cover kept on hitting the heater core hoses. The front valve cover is a cake-walk, it's that nasty rear one you gotta look out for.

 

[fred79]

why not get some engine brite and take the hose to it.

 

[MotoArts]

why not get some engine brite and take the hose to it.

That's what i'd suggest, too. Would be much less dangerous (ie. reduce/eliminate the fire hazard) and will make the stank go away quicker.