What would cause an oil gasket cover to crack? I mean a big crack and not one but 2 covers?
I have a Saturn 2002 SL2 can a hard shift make an oil gasket crack? I have replaced a cover almost a month ago, it had a big crack around where the chain is, it has been replaced and today it has cracked again and has oil leaking. What could be the problem?
My car has 86000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Typically the causes of plastic cover breakage are overtightening of the fasteners used to retain the cover and/or if the cover mounting surface is distorted. The tightening torque is in the low inch pounds and if you don’t use an inch pound torque wrench it is easy to ruin the cover. Also, be sure any anti-crush metal inserts are installed in the cover which are used to prevent over torquing. It is also possible that internal components are contacting the cover so just be sure all components are installed properly per the Factory Service Manual. If you desire an inspection of what you have, and replacement of the cover, please refer to YourMechanic’s timing cover replacement page and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Although the valve cover gasket is well protected from the top and bottom, it is very delicate and prone to damage from the sides. Over a period of time the gasket becomes brittle and will crack due to exposure to dirt, debris, heat and other elements.
The valve cover gasket sits between the engine and the valve cover and seals the oil inside. Time and many miles can dry out or crack the valve cover gasket. If the seal created by the valve cover and valve cover gasket loses its ability to contain all the oil flying around inside then oil will escape.
A broken gasket cover can`t hold the pressurized oil in the cylinder. These oil droplets lead to different engine parts. You`ll notice a foul odor since leaked oil is burnt on these engine parts. The gasket cover breaks due to high engine temperature while driving.
Overheating. Engine overheating is one of the most common causes of a blown head gasket. When the engine gets too hot, the gasket is exposed to temperatures outside of what it is meant to handle. Extreme heat can cause failure.
Head gasket failures are usually caused by repeated overheating, or continuing to drive after the car has overheated, so the best way to prevent a head gasket failure is to ensure your cooling system is in good condition.
A leaking valve cover can cause a variety of problems. First, it can allow oil to leak into the engine, causing the engine to run less efficiently and potentially overheat. Second, it can allow oil to drip onto hot surfaces such as the exhaust system, leading to fires or smoke.
Unfortunately, a valve cover gasket leak can be dangerous if it leads to spontaneous vehicle failure or overheating as you drive. While it doesn`t pose a serious risk of sudden harm otherwise, it can cause extensive internal damage to your engine and related systems, which can cost hundreds or thousands to repair.
If the gasket is worn out, it will leak engine oil and the top of the engine will be likely be covered in oil. It can also expose your engine to dirt, debris and other pollutants with the ability to cause permanent damage. You`ll need to get an immediate replacement to prevent serious damage to your engine.
No, the sooner you get it fixed, the better. Aside from the damage it will do to your engine, driving with a blown head gasket can be dangerous. For starters, if you`re checking under the hood to identify the problem, hot escaping coolant can cause burns and even start a fire if you`re not careful.
Recommended Services. The engine valve cover gasket should last for about 8 to 12 years. If the gasket is leaking, then the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve is plugged up causing the engine to build up too much crankcase pressure blowing out the gasket.
Although valve cover gaskets don`t necessarily need sealers or cements, it`s a common practice to glue the gasket to the valve cover. There are a number of sealant choices, too. For this application, Permatex No. 1, RTVs or Permatex High Tack gasket sealant work well.
This can manifest as a rough idle, stalling, or difficulty starting the vehicle. In severe cases, engine misfiring can lead to damage to the spark plugs, which can be costly to replace. Excessive oil consumption is also a potential sign of valve cover gasket failure.
The Valve Cover Gasket is made of rubber or cork, this seals the cover to the engine, keeping any oil from leaking out. If you are driving with a cracked or broken gasket, the oil will lead, your engine will not be properly lubricated, and then the engine can be damaged seriously.
It is not recommended that you drive with a leaking valve cover gasket, as this can lead to overheating and engine insufficiency, as well as extensive engine damage.
The Valve Cover Gasket is made of rubber or cork, this seals the cover to the engine, keeping any oil from leaking out. If you are driving with a cracked or broken gasket, the oil will lead, your engine will not be properly lubricated, and then the engine can be damaged seriously.
A failed head gasket means the engine will have to work harder to create power. Furthermore, a blown head gasket can cause your vehicle to lose coolant, causing the engine cooling system to underperform, making the overheating situation even worse.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
What would cause an oil gasket cover to crack? I mean a big crack and not one but 2 covers?
ANSWER : Typically the causes of plastic cover breakage are overtightening of the fasteners used to retain the cover and/or if the cover mounting surface is distorted. The tightening torque is in the low inch pounds and if you don’t use an inch pound torque wrench it is easy to ruin the cover. Also, be sure any anti-crush metal inserts are installed in the cover which are used to prevent over torquing. It is also possible that internal components are contacting the cover so just be sure all components are installed properly per the Factory Service Manual. If you desire an inspection of what you have, and replacement of the cover, please refer to YourMechanic’s timing cover replacement page and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
lost all oil pressure, replaced the oil pump, low oil sensor, oil pressure sensor, oil pan gasket,
ANSWER : The fuel pump will not stay on if you loose oil pressure. This is why it is shutting off. The loss of oil pressure may be from bad crankshaft bearings or camshaft bearings. The engine oil pan should be removed and the oil pump needs to be checked to ensure that you put in the pick up tube seal to the pump and connected the pump to the block. Then remove at least one main bearing cap and inspect the bearings for excessive wear and crankshaft damage. If you need some help with this, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help diagnose the issue with your oil pressure firsthand and help you fix it accordingly.
Would it cause damage to the other ignition coils if there is oil leaking from the valve cover gasket on my 2002 Infiniti I35
ANSWER : Hi there. If there is oil leaking into the ignition coil bores then that oil leak needs to be repaired first. If there is oil in multiple tubes then those ignition coils should be replaced also. If they are dry then only the coils that are misfiring or affected by the oil should be replaced. None of them should be replaced until the oil leak is repaired. If you need to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your valve cover gaskets and coils] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/valve-cover-gasket-is-leaking-inspection
Went to check my oil, oil cap was broken, threaded plastic was still intact, looked like top blew off.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. Excess crankcase pressure is the likely source of this problem. If one or more of your crankcase ventilation components (i.e. PCV valve, oil breather/separator, or other crankcase ventilation device) are clogged up or inoperative, then crankcase pressure will build, forcing the dipstick out, and can force oil out of the rear main crankshaft seal, which could be where the oil around the steering boot and control arm came from. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home or office to confirm a diagnosis on the leak and make or suggest the necessary repairs or replacements.
2006 BMW oil filter gasket keeps breaking and oil leaks from oil filter. Oil leaks only after starting car in morning. PCV valve?
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may need to replace the oil cap o-ring. If you haven’t done this before there are two O-rings to replace; a small green one on the base of the filter cap stem and the large black one that seals the filter cap (which seems to be the one you are having issues with). The large O-ring sits in a small square-shaped groove that is at the base of the oil filter cap. It is very easy to not properly seat the large O-ring because the threads for the oil cap are quite large and will accept the O-ring if you are not careful. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.
It sounds like you may need to replace the oil cap o-ring. If you haven’t done this before there are two O-rings to replace; a small green one on the base of the filter cap stem and the large black one that seals the filter cap (which seems to be the one you are having issues with). The large O-ring sits in a small square-shaped groove that is at the base of the oil filter cap. It is very easy to not properly seat the large O-ring because the threads for the oil cap are quite large and will accept the O-ring if you are not careful. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.
car burning too much oil and can’t find where it’s going
ANSWER : The engine is sucking it in most likely. The oil control rings are bad or the intake valves are leaking. You should have a mechanic check the intake PCV system to see if there is a problem. After the diagnosis of your leakage, a certified mechanic can make necessary repairs.
Can the oil pan gasket replacement be done at home? 2006 Lincoln Ls V8. Does it use just a liquid gasket or does it use an actual gasket?
ANSWER : Hi there. The oil pan gasket is either a gasket of cork or rubber (silicone molded) or a spread of RTV Silicone. The oil pan gasket can be removed at home, you will just have to jack up the vehicle and set it on jack stands. It is best to have the whole vehicle on jack stands, however, if you only have two jack stands, be sure to set the parking brake and put wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. If you need further assistance with replacing the oil pan gasket, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Can an oil change cause my gasket cover valve to crack?
ANSWER : There is a possibility the valve cover gasket had a weak seal and began to leak. The exhaust manifold is mounted just below the valve cover on one side of the engine, so leaking or spilled oil may come into contact with the exhaust manifold and burn from the heat. Whether the damage was caused by the previous service or a manufacturer defect, it will be hard to tell. But this is not usually the outcome of an oil change.
