I'm really starting to hate my car -- I noticed under bood a bit of oil spattering on my windshield. Under closer inspection oil was bubbling up from under the center bolt at the front of the valve cover (pic below), even at idle.So, Yesterday I changed the valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets and the oil is still bubbling up. Is this a bad VC or a bigger problem?!

 

same thing i got, its a small crack, ive tried new bolts and stuff too, but in the end, jb water weld sealed it up.

 

Its really, really, easy to crack that cover. Mine went once after a 40F wet track day - middle bolt, back side of the engine. I think the cold, wet weather and a hot motor cause a stress fracture. I now have a pretty cool wall clock...anyway...take off the cover and inspect the area very closely for a hairline crack. Even the slightest crack will cause that.

 

ok, well that's some good news. is it possible to have a small crack at the rear of the cover and have oil leak from the front? I did notice a small crack around one of the rear bolts when I did the gasket yesterday.

 

u have the worst luck
hope its nothing major

 

These valve covers are made out of magnesium, so don't try any welding on this.
Just thought I would give you a heads up.

 

No kidding, I'm friggin'cursed with this thing.

 

Can they be welded at all or is it just a JB fix? Or do I have to get another?

 

JB Weld is only good up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Not sure if I would use it.

 

I would not JB Weld that. Get a new one. If that has a major failure you run the risk of killing the motor or causing an accident - oil on road.

 

Man that sucks

 

Plenty of covers have be fixed with JB Weld. How well it works is determined by where the crack is located. You may need a new cover. BTW, the correct torque for the valve cover bolts is 31 inch pounds.

 

Thanks for the advise-just as well I have another ugly mess of a VC in the garage that I sold the other day, time for a refund to the buyer- dammit, It it isnt one thing its another with this car

 

You don't need jb weld. You can use RTV - I used the blue one, but I think red has higher temp capacity. Take off your valve cover, degrease the mother, seal it from the inside. Let dry, reinstall (careful not to tighten too much). Voila!
If it still leaks... then SOL. Get a new valve cover, and learn from this experience.

 

bringing this thread back from the dead to let others know what to look for.
my take on JB weld or RTV is the following:
you might save $450 for the new valve cover, but what if that small piece broke off and fell down in the head and consequently made it's way down further ? what is the tab on the damage it could cause there ?
just food for thought.
If anyone wants a cracked cover to JB weld or otherwise glue back together, feel free to PM me

clearly this was caused by someone not following torque down sequence and spec, here is a link to more detailed pics :
https://picasaweb.google.com/1128805...COrE2KS8uujPJA