both of my valve covers are leaking oil, and i find this rather puzzling because the gaskets are maybe 4 months old.

could this just be bad luck, or is something causing the gaskets to go bad prematurely?

any suggestions on what i should check?

 

make sure they are tight,or over tightened.

 

make sure you rebolt them in a cris cross pattern. happend to me once and that was the problem.

 

Yeah, make sure you torque them to the spec and use the proper pattern, as was said. And make sure you have enough RTV on there, as well as do a good job cleaning the surfaces before you seal them (use brake cleaner or acetone). Also, the stock valve covers aren't that great. You could go with an aftermarket aluminum valve cover and that won't leak.

 

How do you criss-cross bolts that are in a straight line?

 

Also make sure the gasket didnt shift or tear when you were installing it. That happened to me once a couple years ago. Its hard to see in the rear of the motor sometimes...

 

I think he ment stagger them

 

That might make more sense.

 

whats stagger them??? thats probbly what i meant but i just want to make sure

 

wiggle them on from right to left?