[themossman]

Originally Posted by caverman

Back about 4k miles ago when I had my headers put on my tuner told me that I had a small leak in the back passenger side valve cover. It was real minor. You could barely see and the and had to really look for it.

Well....a few days ago I hit about 7200 miles (planned on changing the oil at 7500) and while I had my car on the rack installing some sway bars I decided to change the oil. Then all of a sudden the next day or so I noticed oil on my garage floor.

I first checked make sure it wasn't the drain plug or filter and noticed it was coming from the passenger side....drain plug and filter are on the driver side.

Pulled the engine cover and it looks like I have a valve cover leak all around the passenger side now. Enough where I can see a drop of oil collecting on the side of the head just below the valve cover.

I'm not sure how the oil change could have had anything to do with it. I'm guess it was just a coincidence.

I've never had to take my car in to the dealership yet so I'm going to call my salesman tomorrow and get the name of the service mgr he recommends there. Then I'll touch base with him and see if he thinks they would warranty it because I now have a tune on the car. If not, I obviously don't want to deal with taking it in.

Even if he says they would warranty it I'm wondering if I should go ahead and replace the gasket myself. Usually they aren't that hard and I'm worried that the dealership my dog out my car or screw something else up worse than before.

I don't really have much experience with LS motors but have done plenty with old chevy small blocks. There isn't anything specific I would have to do with the LS motor would I? Just take the coil packs off and then the valve cover should come off? Beyond that it should be the same as replacing the valve cover gasket on a 350?

What about suggestions on a good valvecover gasket? Is the OEM one good enough. Kind of thinking not since it's already gone out in basically 7k miles. Is there any brand or type I should use instead? Should I go ahead and replace both valve cover gaskets while I'm at it or do just the one that's leaking?

From this thread...which is AWESOME...(I used it to replace my oil pump, timing chain, and tensioner.

Torque the four 8mm valve cover bolts to 9ft/lbs and no more or you risk snapping one of their heads off.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125123

There's EVERYTHING you need in that thread to get your job done...


I would not even bother with the dealer...GM has taken a hard stance on voiding warranties if you modify the 'calibration'(read --->tune)

If the dealer takes it apart and then GM denies your warranty then you're going to be paying for a tow to bring it home...might as well avoid that cost.