I'm chasing down an exhaust leak and I need the valvecovers off to get a better look/feel at it. Can I start the car and let it idle for a few seconds without valvecovers on? Or will hot oil squirt out and sear my pupils? Thanks?

 

oil will squirt out, but you you can go spend like 4 dollars down at auto zone, or advanced auto parts, or schucks, which ever you have near you, and they make these little pack of clips that clip on to the rocker arms to keep oil from squirting all over the place during valve lash adjustments...