Valve cover replaced yet still leaking

[vincentimes.69]

I just spent 6+ hours replacing my valve cover gasket following the tutorial on this forum but... it's a fail since it is still leaking oil on the exhaust/turbo pipe. With the OFH gasket replaced three days ago, I spent nearly 10 hours in that #$%@ engine bay, I'm tired

The first image shows the mess from under the car (oil dripping on the turbo pipe and the catalytic converter.

The second shows the engine, the leak is located on the passenger side, right above the exhaust manifold

The third one shows the oil dripping on the exhaust manifold.

Any idea on what I'm missing? I don't know where this leak comes from.

[ajoosten]

Unfortunately like most things it gets easier the more you do it. I did it a lot in my rebuild.
To take it off I like to undo all of the bolts then take a magnet and pull up on each bolt to make sure they are loose. Then when you are trying to take it off one or more bolts will have fallen back and will bind up, again the magnet to pull up on the bolts.
I say this because if you think you installed it properly I would guess you have a cracked valve cover. The other thing to check is your PCV valve but from the location of your leak I would not think the PCV. Good luck.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Any chance you didn't get a good seal when you replaced the gasket?

[vincentimes.69]

Thanks guys. I thought about the cracked cover... Hope it's not that. I'm currently trying to jab my phone behind the engine trying to get close up pictures and see if gasket is properly positioned. Hell of a job.

[Gizmo135i]

Originally Posted by vincentimes.69

Thanks guys. I thought about the cracked cover... Hope it's not that. I'm currently trying to jab my phone behind the engine trying to get close up pictures and see if gasket is properly positioned. Hell of a job.

I’d bet the gasket came out of the channel when you put the valve cover on, it could be tricky, I alsways check all the way around the valve cover with a mirror and flashlight to make sure it is seated properly.

[juld0zer]

Originally Posted by Gizmo135i

I’d bet the gasket came out of the channel when you put the valve cover on, it could be tricky, I alsways check all the way around the valve cover with a mirror and flashlight to make sure it is seated properly.

This. A small telescopic mirror is perfect for this job. Always check the entire perimeter after mounting the cover, then again after all bolts are torqued down.

For high mileage/old age cars, always get a straight edge ruler and check for valve cover distortion before refitting because no matter how religiously you tighten the bolts down a distorted cover will break your heart when you start the engine after the repair