Help with leaky valve cover
#1
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Help with leaky valve cover
New engine, head, etc. So I bought a new Dorman Valve cover and used a blue Fel Pro. Installed, cross pattern 7ft lbs. Leaked out of the back.
Took it off, put MotoSeal back there, 7ft lbs, still leaked down the back. Snugged the bolts down good. Still leaked down the back.
Took off the Dorman VC, put on on level surfaces.. appears straight, not bent.
Installed the VC with the Dorman VC gasket with orange RTV. No leaks down the back but it now leaks on the last rear exhaust manifold bolt.
Any tips on how the hell I can get this thing to seal???
EDIT to add: This is an aftermarket head (J & C Enterprises) if that matters.
Took it off, put MotoSeal back there, 7ft lbs, still leaked down the back. Snugged the bolts down good. Still leaked down the back.
Took off the Dorman VC, put on on level surfaces.. appears straight, not bent.
Installed the VC with the Dorman VC gasket with orange RTV. No leaks down the back but it now leaks on the last rear exhaust manifold bolt.
Any tips on how the hell I can get this thing to seal???
EDIT to add: This is an aftermarket head (J & C Enterprises) if that matters.
Last edited by Tony_SS; 09-23-2013 at 03:04 PM.
#4
Junior Member
I haven't held a Dorman VC in my hand but I'd be willing to bet it's not the same quality as OEM. If you're torquing to spec and using new gaskets it shouldn't leak. It'd have to either be a poorly machined head or crappy VC.
#5
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
And of the two I'm betting its a crappy VC. My OEM VC with the felpro gasket hasn't had issues in a year.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Actually I was pretty impressed with the VC but maybe its just not formed like it should be. I'm going to get an OEM VC. Already have the fel pro blue.
What is the proper tightening sequence?
What is the proper tightening sequence?
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"Snugged the bolts down good."
Could have already distorted the valve cover.
Tighten the from the center out criss-cross. I just barely "torqued" mine (you can still turn the fasteners) and it hasn't leaked yet. Stock VC with a blue gasket. Is the surface on the head true?
Could have already distorted the valve cover.
Tighten the from the center out criss-cross. I just barely "torqued" mine (you can still turn the fasteners) and it hasn't leaked yet. Stock VC with a blue gasket. Is the surface on the head true?
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
FWIW.
I just replaced the gasket, with FelPro blue a couple of weeks ago. This is a 2001 4.0
With 165k miles.
My big torque wrench only reads in foot lbs, so the only thing I had was an old school needle style torque wrench. The inch lb scale wasn't very accurate, so I just snugged them up by hand, to what felt right to me.
Worked fine, no leaks.
BTW, thank you to everyone on this forum for the great posts on how to complete this job.
It only took about 2 hours. I did remove the upper radiator hose and heater hose though. It made removing the cover really easy. A little messier but in my opinion, worth it.
I just replaced the gasket, with FelPro blue a couple of weeks ago. This is a 2001 4.0
With 165k miles.
My big torque wrench only reads in foot lbs, so the only thing I had was an old school needle style torque wrench. The inch lb scale wasn't very accurate, so I just snugged them up by hand, to what felt right to me.
Worked fine, no leaks.
BTW, thank you to everyone on this forum for the great posts on how to complete this job.
It only took about 2 hours. I did remove the upper radiator hose and heater hose though. It made removing the cover really easy. A little messier but in my opinion, worth it.
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