Hi All,
A while ago I asked the list if I was the only one with oil seeping from the
filler cap on my new aluminum valve cover (not from Jim S). Just about
everyone with one of these covers replied that they all leaked around the
cap except one lucky list member with a fresh engine. First off, may I admit
that me engine has blow by but there was never a problem with the original
cover. If you don't have one of these covers spare yourself and quit reading
now.
Tonight while checking the oil and the usual sopping up the puddle at the
rear of the cover, I just had to investigate the leak again. At least a
couple times a week I try to keep up with it so it doesn't run down behind
the engine and mix with the transmission leak. Anyway, taking the cap apart
was interesting. To take the cap apart push the bottom up with your thumb
and carefully remove the gasket. Next turn the metal insert so it's small
flat side lines up with one of the top's locking tabs. Tipping the insert
will allow it to be removed and you will find a spring underneath. Look at
it carefully and you will see that the little hole in the chromed top is
just for decoration. It really doesn't do a thing! When oil is blown up
through the tiny hole in the cap's metal insert, it can leak out anywhere
around the underside of the cap. There is no baffle, filter, or anything to
stem the oil flow caused by blowzy. My old cap was not vented and no oil
mist escaped. Plugging the hole in the chrome cap top won't help at all.
What I did tonight is to solder in the tiny hole of the insert so it is no
longer vented. Since then it's seen only a few miles of spirited driving but
there is no mess! None.
Can't say if this is the answer quite yet but promise to report back to the
list in a couple of weeks. Has anyone received one of Jim S's covers? Leaks?
I really thought Jim had a winner with his design.
Rick Patton
http://topshamautoparts.com/tr6/
|