Valve cover leak

[mkinttrim]

Had cracked cyl head so I replaced those. When I got the truck back I had a fairly good oil leak from the valve covers. Took it back to the mechanic, he tore it down again and put new felpro gaskets in. About 2 hrs after I parked the truck theres a spot of oil in my garage as big as my hand. What the hell is the mechanic missing?
This is on 99 4.0

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

4.0s don't like Felpro stuff, or any other aftermarket gasket.

I run OEM Ford gaskets in my OHV, with no RTV. Dry as a bone for the last 2.5 years.

The Ford Gaskets are made from aluminum and have rubber sealing rings imbeded in them.

This seems to be the general conclusion of most everybody on here from what I've seen.

 

[pcollins]

try getting a cork gasket, or OEM like he said^^ put a cork gasket on a 2.9 a while ago and it sealed it right up.

 

[mkinttrim]

The original gasket was a metal gasket with the rubber on the outside edge and he replaced that with the felpro, not sure if it was the cork or not. Gonna give him a call in AM.

 

[sholzy]

The fel-pro VC gaskets I used 2 years ago are rubber. Hasn't leaked yet.

 

[pcollins]

The fel-pro VC gaskets I used 2 years ago are rubber. Hasn't leaked yet.

you got lucky then. Rubber gaskets are terrible on most cases. I haven't seen a good one yet.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...x&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=82550_0_0_

I use that stuff^ on differentials and extension housings, havent had a leak yet. I'm sure it can stand up to a valve cover.

 

[sholzy]

you got lucky then. Rubber gaskets are terrible on most cases. I haven't seen a good one yet.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...x&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=82550_0_0_

I use that stuff^ on differentials and extension housings, havent had a leak yet. I'm sure it can stand up to a valve cover.

How many valve cover gaskets would a can make? Elastomeric rubber is a fancy name for rubber with better elasticity properties than normal rubber.

I've always had bad luck with cork. I think a lot of inexperienced ones over-tighten the covers or they don't take the time to make sure the sealing surface of the covers are true.

 

[pcollins]

It could make both covers easily. Believe me, i'm experienced, as are the many people i've worked with, and rubber gaskets just never cut it. That Can of permatex also will fill in any surface imperfections, so if your working in a tight space where you cant get it 100% shiny, it will fill in what you missed. thats whats really nice about it.

 

[sholzy]

It could make both covers easily. Believe me, i'm experienced, as are the many people i've worked with, and rubber gaskets just never cut it. That Can of permatex also will fill in any surface imperfections, so if your working in a tight space where you cant get it 100% shiny, it will fill in what you missed. thats whats really nice about it.

About half the cost of VC gaskets. I'll have to remember this next time I need gaskets. Thanks for the info.

 

[Larry's shee]

I used F P on my son's sbout 8mo ago no problem. New heads.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Another happy Fel Pro customer. I got the rubber ones instead of the cork tho. mine were rubber attached to a rigid plastic frame. the originals were rubber attached to a metal frame, but the drivers side one failed, the rubber separated from the metal. I figured the plastic would last as long as the metal ones. As for using RTV silicone, Ford service requires it on both sides of the gasket where the heads meet the intake.

AJ