04 DII Oil Leak from Rocker Cover? Or....

[braves6117]

I need some help identifying an oil leak. I've been scanning my Rave manual, and I think the oil is seeping through what I believe to be the rocker cover gasket?

I need help to be certain.

I seem to be losing the most when driving uphill or under load. It drips down onto the catalyic converters on both sides and either burns off, or makes it way down and drips off the oil pan. Its more prevalent on the passenger side of the engine.

What should be my plan of attack other then checking fluids everyday?

I'll be on the search until then with some keywords. I need to dig into the engine, and its a good time to learn.

Its an 04 Disco, 62k, all fluids changed at 59k.

Thanks in advance, I hope this isn't a "what size tire" thread....

 

[Dangeruss]

That's where my '04 leaks from.

 

[adriatic04]

Yes. Rocker cover. Tried feeling securing bolts?

 

[gmookher]

give the bolts a snug

 

[gabriel]

@62K you will be changing wires very soon so just order new valve cover gaskets and switch them out. My 03 wicks oil there too.

 

[pdogg]

just tightened my valve cover bolts up a little while back and no more seeping... they were quite loose..

 

[brianhoberg]

I had the same thing happen on mine AFTER I did the valve cover gasket replacement. If you haven't done your servicing yet and have no clue when the gaskets have been replaced, they are a cheap replacement and good insurance to make sure you're staying on top of your maintenance. If you have replaced them, like I did, a good snug with the socket and ratchet solved my problem and no more leaks. but yes, try snugging them first, and spray your engine down so that if it leaks afterwards, you'll be able to see if it's fresh or the same old shit.

 

[jycsalas]

I changed my wires too when I replaced the valve cover gaskets and valley pan gasket.

(I also painted my valve covers black)

http://picasaweb.google.com/jycsalas/ValveCoverGasket#5314913345400918002

 

[landrovered]

Replace the POS rover valve cover gaskets with Buick 215 valve cover gaskets and never have that trouble again.

 

[stolenheron]

stealership replaced my valve cover gaskets for the same issue in december. oil dripped onto my spark plug wires and was gunking them up to so those bitches got added to the bill as well

 

[braves6117]

Sweet, thanks for the tips guys.

Its nice to know that I'm not sailing alone on this one lol

Thank god for valve cover gaskets. :thehand:

 

[pdogg]

if you're gonna tighten them, they are a weird star shaped head bolt.. you'll need a 12-point socket.. can't remember what size, but if you search you'll find it.

 

[jycsalas]

8mm 12 point with 1/4 inch drive.

 

[pdogg]

8mm 12 point with 1/4 inch drive.

there ya go..

 

[braves6117]

Off to the hardware store. Thanks.

 

[gabriel]

or 5/16.

 

[braves6117]

Well Fuck.

I grabbed all the appropriate hardware, and tightened the bolts in question. The passenger side were fairly tight, if not fine, but the driver side....guess what?

The inner most screw is stripped, freely spinning! And know what else, thats right where my ticking sound is coming from...I guess this also explains the leak as well :banghead:

I don't know what to do at this point....other then have a shop replace the gasket, and I assume the bolt assembly? Is that even possible? Any help would be reaaaallly appreciated I'm fucking bummed.

Here's the screw in question.....

 

[KyleT]

prob on the wrong sides, iirc the inner bolts are shorter than the outer ones.

 

[braves6117]

Size is good, it just freely spins. The top 6 point of the bolt is fine as well.

I'm now worried about the ticking (I'm assuming the piece that broke off) and leak

 

[roverMc]

Does the screw look broken? Measure it against another. That might answer your question about the ticking. You might can use a Helicoil to repair stripped threads or just drill and tap it one size up.