if my valve cover gasket was leaking. about how much would it leak. if my rear main seal was leaking. about how much would it leak. and what are the torque specs for the valve cover.

 

and could a valve cover gasket be a pretty large puddle every time i park?

 

How big of a puddle? If the back of the cover is loose it can dump a lot of oil. My XJ dribbled a large quantity on the driveway every day and I was afraid it was the rear seal. I noticed the back of the block was wet so I got a new valve cover gasket- one of the rubber ones with the plastic grommets. It was pricey (compared to the cork) and the grommets seemed cheap, but it immediately stopped leaking. That has been 6 months and it is still holding up.

 

Clean the motor with simple green, purple power or something. drive around the block and look for the leak. Replace the V cover gasket if it leaks and then check to see if the rear main is leaking also. Be gentle with the water so you don't end up buying a TPS or something.
On mine the oil filter adapter was leaking and blowing around back the motor. made it looked like it was leaking and a rear main leak.

 

X2 on what Mike said..B CAREFUL not to wet the TPS or you may need to replace it. Feel behind the back of the valve cover for oil before replacing RMS. You may also want to check the distributor gasket and O ring seals on the oil filter bracket...Tj

 

well the puddle is pretty large sometimes when its warmer outside. and it seems to be dripping off the oil pan starting from inside the back off the pan and the bell housing.

 

bump. but also. i bought the 47 dollar gasket from autozone. hopefully that works. or thats a load of money i dont wanna waste. 51 online? 47 in store?

 

Was that $47 for the rubber VC gasket? I replaced mine this week and decided to go with the cork after the girl told me the price for the rubber gasket! Even if your rear main is leaking, a VC gasket is often leaking as well so I doubt you wasted money. Just make sure you also check the oil filter adapter too, as that and a VC mimic a rear main.

 

I agree, it was pricey but it has worked so far. Just make sure the mating surfaces on the cover and head are clean before assembly. Let us know how it works out.

 

My guess would be for the RMS. There isn't much oil under the VC when the engine isn't running.