Is this a valve cover oil leak?

[Jesda]

I dont know why I put so much effort into a car worth $700. This is probably more work than I've ever done on the Q. I guess it helps that parts are stupidly cheap, and its a hoot to drive when its running well.

I bought some injectors yesterday and finshed taking off the sandwich layer of the plenum this morning. Unfortunately, it started raining.

I have some extra valve cover gaskets in the garage. Should I install them? Does it require much more than hammering at the philips head screws with an impact driver?

I've noticed faint oil smells sometimes at idle. Does this big black mess look like the source?





Whats the best way to clean out the plenum? Simple Green and a high pressure hose?

Thanks

[elwesso]

you definitely have a VC leak, its all greasy and nasty on the manifolds..... Shouldnt take much effort to get the front out but the back one could be barrels of fun.

the plenum is best cleaned with carb cleaner or TB cleaner.. DONT USE simple green because it will corrode it. You could also use something like acetone or something along those lines.

[audtatious]

Carb cleaner does a great job. I've actually used a can of Ether before (leftover from another time) and it cleaned it up old oil pretty well too.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Ahh, the good ol' Testarossa. That is one dirty enginebay.

I was actually planning to do the injectors on mine in the next month or so, too.

[Jesda]

After replacing two injectors, I put everything back together this evening (rather hastily, my poor back) and started it up. There's still a bad misfire.

Could my problem be a vaccuum leak? I thought vaccuum leaks (like from a bad intake gasket or broken hose) caused high idle. The idle RPM is where it should be, but its very rough throughout the rev range with an obvious misfire. I'd say its a little worse than before.

Before, it was rough at low RPMs but smooth enough on the highway, symptomatic of a dead injector. Now, its through the entire rev range. I didnt bother leaving the driveway.

Would compression testing determine if there was a burnt valve or something severe? Hopefully its minor.

Thanks.

[elwesso]

What I woudl do is individually take off each plug wire to see which cylinder is causing the problem... the diagnose from there.

[Jesda]

Per the suggestion of a friend, I opened the Haynes manual and went over the wires again. 1 and 3 were swapped. Drives GREAT.

Thanks guys!