Not long ago I replaced my valve cover gasket. Today I'm replacing my engine mount bushings which were shot... The upper mount bushing has been leaking for a long time, and the strut mount bushing was broken too.
The engine vibration couldn't have anything to do with the valve cover leak, could it? I'm going to redo the valve cover gasket, but I'm frustrated that I didn't get it right and wonder where I went wrong...
I've never had a gasket fail like this one. Now I wonder ifs should have used some rtv or something...

 

No need to use RTV. Tighten from center out in circles and in tourque steps to final tourque value. ie don't start with one bolt and zip it right up to final tourque value. You want the cover to come down even steven.

Where is your leak and how much volume of oil are you talking?

Jeremy

 

Leak is from lower right side. Now I'm thinking it might br r/t a bolt that snapped there. I had to drill it out and placed a helicoil. Maybe I marred the surface and it's not completely flat. If that's the case would RTV help? much as I hate an oily engine , I won'be changing the lower cylinder case ( what is that called, that the valve cover mounts to)?

I did tighten the bolts evenly a little at a time, then torque a little at a time, but I followed one right after another based on something I had read. That didn't seem right, but it was emphasized so in thought it must be important. I will try again as you recommended.

I don't know how to say how much is there..I can run my finger along the case and get oil, so I guess it's pretty big. This is my first failed job on my MINI, bummer (though I've had plenty of "learning opportunities")

So what about the RTV? Thanks

 

Valve cover mounts to cylinder head. I would wipe clean and add another ft-lb of tourque and run it through a few more drive cycles/50 miles. A bead of RTV a few inches along the problem area could be the bandaid solution if it still leaks.

Jeremy

 

Thanks. Should I loosen rhe bolts (very slightly) and re torque using the correct method?

 

Yeah there's only 1/8 to 3/16 between gasket and 6mm valve cover bolt holes. What size of helicoil did you upsize too 8mm?

A re-tourque and gasket inspection couldn't hurt.

Jeremy

 

For the work of inspecting the gasket think I'll just have another one on hand...$20.
Leak definitely at sight of my repair, I used a #6helicoil, thought it was tight, but maybe I'll get an 8 too. For now I'm gonna back off the bolts a tad, tetighten/torque the bots in correct sequence. Take it off if needed with the extra materials on hand.
Thanks a bunch Jeremy. When I get back to thismi'll definitely let you know how it goes
Jenni

 

Good call on having parts on hand is removing valve cover/gasket for inspection. Good luck!

Jeremy