Valve cover gasket, I think

[Cubey]

i noticed drips under the truck today. I usually look when I remember to, every few weeks. I already watch the fluids anyway. I found oil drips! This must be recent. It never had them before in the past year I’ve had the truck. My first thought was CDR since it seems to be coming from the rear of the engine, though only one side. But no, it is dry around it. Upon closer look, it seems to be coming from the drivers side valve cover gasket, nearer to the firewall. It’s running down the exhaust as shown. This is the view of the drivers side rear of the engine near the oil filter.

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[genscripter]

If it's above the EM's then it has to be the valve cover. But that is a lot of oil, especially if you had already cleaned it off.

 

[Cubey]

If it's above the EM's then it has to be the valve cover. But that is a lot of oil, especially if you had already cleaned it off.

I’ve never cleaned it off. I just found it and immediately took the picture. I drive daily but not very much right now, literally just a few miles a day. If it has developed in the last week or two it’s probably a normal amount. Yes it’s above the EM, I can see moisture right around the top of the head, or rather below the top of the head. So it’s probably not hard gasket. It’s also above the oil cooler, so I doubt it’s that.

 

[Cubey]

Here is a shot of the head/valve cover right near the firewall, below the air tube.

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[icanfixall]

You might be correct but please check the return lines near the back of the head on this side. If the valve cover gasket is the problem at least its the easy side to replace.

 

[Cubey]

You might be correct but please check the return lines near the back of the head on this side. If the valve cover gasket is the problem at least its the easy side to replace.

NA has return lines?

 

[IDIoit]

all IDI's have return lines.
but that sure looks like diesel, not oil

 

[Cubey]

It’s oil. It’s black as can be.

 

[Cubey]

I meant oil return lines, sorry. Not fuel.

Also the leak isn’t as bad as it looks. A little oil makes a huge mess on a shaking surface. It only leaves a few drips on the ground.

It feels gummy because of the Lucas oil stabilizer so yeah I’m pretty darn sure it’s not diesel. No diesel smell either. Smells like oil.

 

[genscripter]

The drips that traverse the down-pipe look a lot more like oil than diesel. Of course, check to make sure your diesel return is clean, but as the OP suggested, it doesn't look like diesel.

I would hit that with some engine cleaner, wash it off, and then drive if for a few days. Let's narrow this instead of guessing.

 

[Cubey]

The drips that traverse the down-pipe look a lot more like oil than diesel. Of course, check to make sure your diesel return is clean, but as the OP suggested, it doesn't look like diesel.

I would hit that with some engine cleaner, wash it off, and then drive if for a few days. Let's narrow this instead of guessing.

Eh for the $14 that the gaskets cost, I think I’ll just go buy a set. If when I pull the valve cover off its hardened, I can replace it right then. It looks super easy. If the gasket seems fine, I can always return the new ones if I don’t open them.

 

[genscripter]

I'm an IDI van guy, so I don't know this for sure, but I've heard a lot of IDI truck guys complain about the rear-most VC bolts. Maybe hard to access? Just a heads up before you dive down this VC rabbit hole.

 

[Cubey]

I'm an IDI van guy, so I don't know this for sure, but I've heard a lot of IDI truck guys complain about the rear-most VC bolts. Maybe hard to access? Just a heads up before you dive down this VC rabbit hole.

I doubt it can be that bad. I once changed firewall side spark plugs on a FWD minivan without tilting the engine. I did it for a mechanic that dreaded having to tilt it but couldn’t fit his forearms in. I could fit my long, slim ones just enough.

 

[genscripter]

I hear you. I have a 98 Jetta and a 88 Clubwagon. I once put heads and head studs on my van WITHOUT pulling the engine. It was tough. http://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/eng...i-head-gasket-job-without-pulling-the-engine/

 

[Cubey]

I might have to pick up some wobble socket extensions is all.