Valve cover Gasket?

tyroelite · March 01, 2004, 08:49:29 PM

If I have coolant leaking out from between the valve cover and the block, would it be suspected to be the valve cover gasket, head gasket or both or something else?

Anything different compared to a N/A 3.1 GP in terms of repair of whatever may be wrong?

Chris A · March 01, 2004, 09:47:00 PM

More specific. There shouldn't be any coolant between the valve cover and the block. If its where the head meets the intake its the intake manifold gasket.

tyroelite · March 01, 2004, 11:49:30 PM

Here's a diagram of what's goin' on...
Seems the coolant is coming out from all around the valve cover, It gets crusty green around the bolts that hold the valve cover on.

god910 · March 02, 2004, 03:55:34 AM

Seal that seems to be the culprit=valve cover gasket= NOPE! (there's no coolant in the valve cover)
Where leak appears to be coming from=PCV hose=NOPE! (I sure hope there's no coolant in the pcv hose)
Wet leaked coolant=maybe head gasket or freeze plug (don't know locations of freeze plugs on these engines yet) Could be a drip from turbo coolant lines.

tyroelite · March 02, 2004, 10:37:25 AM

i realize there SHOULDN'T be coolant in the valve cover but that sure seems to be where its coming from... could some other seal somwhere be broken that is allowing some coolant into the valve cover?

tyroelite · March 02, 2004, 10:38:04 AM

and, are the seals for head gasket, valve cover etc. the same as the ones for a N/A GP if I get feisty and decide to change them all this week?

jheiv · March 02, 2004, 10:45:10 AM

I think the FRONT valve cover had the BREATHER tube from the stock airbox... and that the REAR valve cover had the PCV valve.

jheiv · March 02, 2004, 10:51:58 AM

check the lines and hoses going from the water pump to the TStat-- it is right above the valve cover... see that black hose that is about 3-5 inches and clamped to piping on either end right above the front valve cover? tighten them... also, check the bracket that holds the intercooler -> intake pipe, make sure that bolt is tight. that bolt is one of the two on the t-stat housing... let me know if it helps

god910 · March 02, 2004, 02:31:13 PM

Well, what I meant by PCV hose, is it's a hose that is part of the crankcase ventilation system. And as far as the gaskets go, the valve cover should be the same, but the head gasket might be different. I know there have been discussions about using the wrong gasket and I guess it's common even w/ rebuild kits. You have to make sure of the thickness of the gasket you are buying. But I can't remember what thickness you want.

90tgpblk · March 02, 2004, 02:48:08 PM

as jheiv said I would check you make sure your hose clamps are tight and the house jusr above the valve cover are not leeking. I had one go bad on me about three years ago. I would drive for a while smell collant and check under the hood to see just a little bit leaking but not enough to tell were from. Not until I looked and found a bad hose clamp that had snaped part of the way. I changed it out and no more leaky..
KCP

TGPilot · March 03, 2004, 10:57:14 AM

Your top red arrow is also pointing to where the turbo coolant line goes from flex hose to metal tubing. I would investigate that line to see if it is pissing out of there... 8)

1trucavalier · March 24, 2004, 12:50:34 PM

there is a coolant line right on top of the valve cover with 3 different connection poits with hose clamps 1 of those might be leaking down on the valve cover leaving the residue. MINE WAS! I took all those old hoses and trashed them and replaced with new ones and new hose clamps.

Tooky · March 25, 2004, 12:49:23 AM

Quote from: 1trucavalierthere is a coolant line right on top of the valve cover with 3 different connection poits with hose clamps 1 of those might be leaking down on the valve cover leaving the residue. MINE WAS! I took all those old hoses and trashed them and replaced with new ones and new hose clamps.

Are you talking about the metal "Y-shaped" coolant pipe that must be unique to TGPs (for the metal branch to the turbocharger coolant)? What did you replace it with? Mine has rust flaking off it (?) and I am wondering if it's going to need replacement soon. I bet GM would charge an arm and a leg for it. It seems to connect to the water pump.

1trucavalier · March 25, 2004, 07:38:00 AM

i didn't change my Y shaped coolant piece only the hoses. Why not get a wire wheel and drill and remove all the rust then paint or leave it shiny and paint heavily with 500deg clearcoat.

Tooky · March 25, 2004, 10:06:50 PM

Quote from: 1trucavalierWhy not get a wire wheel and drill and remove all the rust then paint or leave it shiny and paint heavily with 500deg clearcoat.

Good call! Sometimes I have trouble seeing the simple solutions.. 8)

Valve cover Gasket?

TGPilot