I have an oil leak I need help with. It is at the back of the cylinder head and seems to be right under the half moon valve cover gasket. I just replaced the valve cover gaskets/gromets/half moons. Does the rear cover on the head hold oil or coolant. Its wet with oil right around there. This is a new leak as I noticed it running down the trans. This is on my 88 toy 4x4 22re. Thanks for any help.

 

I think its leaking at the half moon rubber piece. Take the valve cover off and pop off half moon and use a little RTV on it before you set it back in place. Also make sure you tighten the valve cover nuts evenly. Don't over do it though, that may squish the gasket too much and pinch it. The gasket needs even pressure all the way around to seal effectively. Good Luck

 

Yeah I did use rtv on the half moon. Its not a real bad leak but it is a leak. Whats the rear cover on the head hold? Water or oil?

 

oil

 

oil. check to make sure the 4 bolts that hold that back plate didn't vibrate loose

 

I bet thats it. I will check in the morning. Thanks alot guys.

 

That plate on the back of the head holds coolant not oil... It also has a tunnel for the EGR airway...

 

OK, So which is it? Oil or coolant? Is there anything else that could cause an oil leak in that area?

 

My money is on coolant... I'll even give odds 20-1!


See 2nd diagram in pic:

 

Thanks for the pics BYE. It would appear to be coolant according to the pics. Only started to leak oil after I replaced a missing exhaust manifold stud. Makes no sense to me.

 

when doing a valve cover gasket, put a dab of silicone on both sides of the half moons with them already in place, also they way to tell if the acorn nuts are tight enough is the rubber on grommets, if the rubber is squished out passed the top metal its to tight, if it isn't tight enough there will be a step between the metal and rubber.

 

aww damiit Evol beat me to it!!! definately do what evol said.

 

Well, I found the leak. It was the the valver cover gasket.

Yeah, I am the guy who tightens the shat out of everything. It is all about the squish. Put new gasket kit on and all is now dry. Thanks guys

 

you are lucky. ive seen people really crank the poop outta the valve cover bolts. If you squish it enough the lifters start tapping the top of the valve cover, pretty awesome to watch people try and figure out what the tapping noise is....