Leaky valve cover gasket????

[deblouthomas]

I try to dispel the notion that chicks in their 50's are ready to settle down and knit. My passion is rear wheel drive Japanese sports rides, I have a 90 Red non turbo auto 300Zx, 2+2 black leather and have just recently bought off Ebay an 87 Toyota Supra five speed turbo. I drove it back from northern Oregon to Cajun Louisiana. Now that I have another daily driver, I need to address an issue with my Z. This is my second one, my first being a 92 that I took to 235K still in good running condition. Had not my lead footed teenage son driven that one when he had a newly minted license I might still have it today. My second is a red beauty that I went to the Houston area to buy. I have had it two years and it is only to 152K now. It has had a slight oil drip from the beginning, but only appears to be when the car is in motion. My driveway stays dry and it is very rare that I add oil (10x30) between oil changes. Mostly has been during the summer when I keep a close eye on the stick for evaporation. There are no signs of any kind of a leaking or failing head gasket. Also having a Supra will keep you sharp on looking out for a head gasket, they are the master of failure. The oil pressure gauge often mirrors the rpm's when moving and cannot always be a good indication of my oil pressure. In short. the car does not run hot, knock, smoke, smell sweet in the morning and I have driven it on long trips with no problems. However, the amount of oil it is now throwing has invaded the alternator causing it to fail and it's time to address it. The oil is leaking from a number of places around the valve cover gasket, although not a huge amount.

My questions: I am not a mechanic and must depend on the honesty of those that are. Is there anything else I should be looking at other than the valve cover gaskets? Timing belt and all required internal maintenance was done about 30K ago.

Debbie Thomas, Lafayette

[WidebodyZ]

I would change the valve cover gaskets, camshaft seals, and the PCV's if they are still on the car. I bypassed mine long ago. Would be a good time to bypass the throttle body coolant lines since you have to pull the plenum..might want to get a new plenum gasket too that goes in between the two parts of the intake manifold.

[nsrZ32]

I would change the valve cover gaskets, camshaft seals, and the PCV's if they are still on the car. I bypassed mine long ago. Would be a good time to bypass the throttle body coolant lines since you have to pull the plenum..might want to get a new plenum gasket too that goes in between the two parts of the intake manifold.

Agreed on the valve cover gaskets (all 4), cam seals, and PCV's. Also I'd recommend replacing that intake manifold gasket while you have things apart. Since you'll be into the upper part of the engine it only makes sense to replace simple things for piece of mind while there.

[deblouthomas]

Thanks a lot guys!!! I appreciate your help.... I want to get this one to the same 235K as the 1st Z32 I had, if not more. When I had the first one, I was a road warrior for the yellow pages travelling miles and miles of West Texas at about 50K every year. This second one I am driving into my semi-retirement and may not go over 8K this year. I won best in division at the last show at the local Nissan dealer. Thanks again for your help Debbie