honda accord 4 cyl. automatic. I had my valve cover gasket replaced. On the same day, I noticed that I had a small oil puddle on the driver side. It was never there before.
Can an improper valve cover gasket installation lead to an oil leak? Before the valve cover gasket replacement, I haven't seen any puddle of oil underneath the drip pan before.
You asked > Can an improper valve cover gasket installation lead to an oil leak?
Hello,
There was noticeable oil all around the valve cover gasket, but it wasn't bad enough to drip on the floor to leave a puddle. It was strange, that after it was replaced, that I would have a bigger problem. Maybe I shouldn't have used a aftermarket gasket.
Thanks for the answer. I'm gonna go buy a Genuine Honda gasket and hopefully that will solve the puddle problem.
The aftermarket gaskets I have seen for most Honda valve covers seem to be the same quality, maybe even the same part as OE. I think you pinched the rubber off somewhere, most likely on either end near the semicircle shaped cam cap areas. Luckily, there are built in rubber tabs that make verifying proper installation fairly easy. Look around the base of the cover for flat rubber tabs coming out of the gasket. If any of them are twisted or folded inward, then you need a new gasket. Make sure the rubber is pressed firmly into the groove all the way around and use sealer at the bases of each cam cap upon installation. You can place the cover on the ground and stand on it to seat the gasket better.
Toyota MDT in MO
1) there's a plastic tab coming out of the cover. Must be the gasket. 2) I didn't see the mechanic apply silicone sealant to the cam bases.
Oil is splashed everywhere on the engine compartment. When I lift the hood, there's oil splashed on the hood.
I think a visit to the mechanic is in order.
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