Valve cover or camshaft cover gasket leaking oil...

[Rodzlla]

am not sure if it is called the valve cover or the camshaft cover on the I-5 engine. The gasket under that cover has been compromised and is leading oil as the engine is started and warms up. I used the remote start recently and sent my wife to the store in it. I walked out to the garage and noticed a couple significant oil stains on the driveway. Got in the car and drive to store parking lot with four quarts of oil. Added oil and followed her home.


Once back in the driveway, I could take a better look. Oil was splattered on the side of the airbox and black plastic tube connecting it to the resonator thing sitting beside (and inline with) the throttle body. Oil had run down the passenger side of the engine and pooled on the Defelice Off Road belly skid plates. I took off the skids to get a better look.


As I started the engine, I initially did not see anything. After a minute or so, I noticed oil dribbling/barely trickling out from the gasket for the valve/camshaft cover gasket (above the VVT sensor above the power steering pump). i assume if I were to increase the rpms, it would increase this leak flow and maybe cause more of a squirt that would hit the airbox area.


When I ran this by my mechanic buddy, he said that a simple gasket change might be the cheap option, but maybe not the best approach. He suggested that the cover may be tweaked (especially after 175,000or so miles) and may not tighten down properly on the new gasket. If I am already pulling the cover and gasket, the cover should be replaced. He recommended that I go to the dealership to order the OEM cover and gasket. While the price is higher than I would like, he felt that the OEM cover would be better than a cheap chinese part.


Three questions for your consideration...


1- Would you replace the cover and gasket as recommended rather than just the gasket? It seems to make sense, but I may be missing something.


2- Is the OEM GM part worth the extra expense (unknown at this point) getting it directly from the dealer? I also am not sure that there are any other options for the cover itself out the on the web...


3- Has anyone done this work yet? Do I need to pull off the intake manifold to get the cover and gasket off? Does anyone have torque specs for the cover bolts?


Thank in advance for any help.


Rod

 

[speedy]

I'll wager my lunch money that it's your oil pressure sending unit.
:corn:
They fail internally and pump an amazing amount of oil through the plug.
Dealer wanted north of $100 for the part. Tried aftermarket oil light kept coming on so i ordered oem from rockauto no problems since.
And order the special socket it's less then $10 from rockauto
Pull the air box to change/inspect.It's worth the 5 minutes for easy access

 

[Rodzlla]

Hmmm. Would a failing oil press sending unit trigger a dummy light?

A few minutes ago, I took a look at the oil pressure sending unit while the engine was running (did not allow it to come up to operating temp). Nothing was spurting or dripping at or around the sensor.

This oil leak looked like it was much higher on the motor. The oil splattered on the airbox was up where the tube goes over toward the throttle body.

There is definitely oil seeping out of the valve/camshaft cover gasket. Undeniable.

Tomorrow, I plan to let it idle to come up to operating temperature to see if I can recreate the leak again. I will definitely keep an eye on the oil press sensor unit while under it.

It is worth looking into. I would be happy to only have to change the sending unit...but I think I am looking at a gasket job either way.

 

[speedy]

Pull the plug and see if there's any oil present. If there is wash the plug and sensor out with break cleaner before you do your test run.

Yes the oil light started coming on during long idles about the same time i started noticing the leak. No problems with new sensor
You can also add ultraviolet dye to the oil.

 

[mjferencak]

Is the breather tube that runs from your cylinder head to your resonator intact? It could have deteriorated, kinked, and built up pressure and started spewing oil. Mine had kinked and built up so much pressure that the oil cap blew off and oil was everywhere. I thought the H3 was going to catch on fire.

 

[Rodzlla]

Speedy,

Will do. I have to wait until afternoon to look at this. I will let you know what I find...

Thanks again.

 

[Rodzlla]

mjferencak,

I replaced that breather hose the last time I cleaned the throttle body. However, I do wonder how clogged up the oil passages might be. I have heard that use of the chemicals they sell to loosen up buildup often lead to larger, major problems. Your comment has got me thinking...