Signs of leaking valve cover gaskets (2.8)?

**4A Play** · 07-17-2008 03:31 PM

Im dripping oil, leaving a very odd pattern in the driveway. A small drip mark then exactly 2 inches, big drip mark, 2 inches, and a small drip mark.

o(2 inches)O(2 inches)o

Obviously the belly pan is to blame but it seems to me that the valve cover gaskets may need to be replaced. Is this a typically replaced part at 120k?

Thanks guys!

**offroader1006** · 07-17-2008 07:10 PM

pull the engine cover(s) and shine a light on the under side of each valve cover towards the exhaust side.

if they are leaking, you should see some oil saturation/moist spots on the gasket itself and below. It is usually accompanied by a light oil burning smell due to the oil leaking onto the exhaust mani's.

also use a mirror and check the rear of the heads for any leaks from the tensioner gaskets. If its dirty, spray it off with some brake cleaner, then drive a few days and re-check for fresh oil trails.

**JaVa** · 07-17-2008 07:36 PM

its a pretty common thing on the 2.8's

**Affinitive** · 07-17-2008 08:42 PM

If you have Cam Adjusters/Chain Tensioners with part#'s 078 109 087C & 088C, then just throw the tensioners away. Replacing the Gaskets will only make a minor improvement on the amount of oil leaking. As they get old, it's somewhat senseless to replace just the gaskets because the plastic chain guides will break at some point also. Often times I see cars where someone had replaced the gaskets along with a timing belt job and then 20K later when I see the car, I end up having to tell people they waisted a bunch of money having gaskets replaced because the tensioners leak much more so than the gaskets. The newer updated tensioners with #'s 087F and 088H are alot better. That's why it's not uncommon to see 03 and 04 models with only minor bits of oil moisture around the tensioners as the cars approach 90 - 100K when doing the timing belts. that's because only the gaskets will seep minorly as opposed to having oil all over with the old 087C and 088C tensioners. The newer updated tensioners are alot better in terms of leaking oil and also have better chain guides made of a different plastic.
it actually took me a long time to figure it out but kinda dawned on me when I realised that the 1.8T's with plain tensioners instead of adjusters never seemed to leak very much unlike the adjusters which will eventually start leaking through the solenoids. I've even seen one that had oil leaking at damn near a steady stream out of the electrical connector.

Just something to consider if you're getting ready to fork out big bucks.

One of the reasons I like the 3.0L's much better

C