Valve cover gasket leakage

Discuss topics related to the CA18DE and CA18DET series engines.
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RS12Turbo
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Just curious if it's ok to use RTV with the valve cover gaskets? Seems like on the FelPro box the gaskets came in, it said not to use sealant.....I discovered an oil leak, and I'm pretty sure it's coming from the half circle gasket piece that goes on the back of the head on the exhaust side valve cover.


dvd
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I used high temp rtv on my valve cover gaskets and they still leak =\ . I made a post similar to this awhile back and i think other people had the same problems.

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RS12Turbo
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Any resolution?

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themadscientist
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CA and RB valve cover gaskets leak pretty much from day #2. Try anything you can think of.

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biosehnsucht
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Mine don't leak, don't overtighten them, and install them like you'd install cams or wheels.. I used RTV like on the half moon thingies but not on the big goes-all-around part, I don't think. Either way mine don't leak..

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float_6969
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Mine don't leak either. Felpro FTW.

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themadscientist
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I just top off from time to time and enjoy my oil-coated block and tranny.

Liquid_Neon
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less chance of precious metals rusting when covered in oil!

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themadscientist
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True and my car marks it's parking spot like a dog pees on a tree.

Hillkill
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If its leaking from that half circle, you should put a dab of rtv in the corner where it meets the head. Worked on mine like a charm

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rico05
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Mine leaks like CRAZY from between the upper and lower halves of the exhaust side. Freaked me out that I thought my head was leaking.

Crustal200sx
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float_6969 wrote:Mine don't leak either. Felpro FTW.
Which felpro do you use?

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Izento
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OEM isn't that expensive guys.

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float_6969
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Crustal200sx wrote:Which felpro do you use?
Is there more than one? I walk into Advance Auto and ask for a valve cover gasket for a 1989 Nissan Pulsar SE, 1.8L. They used to stock it. They're old enough now that the last time I needed one they had to order it, but it was there later that same day.

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sjbsuperman1425
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https://www.ebay.com/p/?iid=26203620024 ... rue&chn=ps

^^Buy these and torque to spec. If you are using the OEM screw style fasteners you probably don't have them torqued down to spec and the gasket won't seal properly. For me, using these bolts and torquing them down per the FSM fixed my leaky valve cover issue.

You can see pictures on page 9 of my thread here to see what I mean --->sjbsuperman1425-s-upgrade-thread-t399444-240.html

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Izento
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sjbsuperman1425 wrote:https://www.ebay.com/p/?iid=26203620024 ... rue&chn=ps

^^Buy these and torque to spec. If you are using the OEM screw style fasteners you probably don't have them torqued down to spec and the gasket won't seal properly. For me, using these bolts and torquing them down per the FSM fixed my leaky valve cover issue.

You can see pictures on page 9 of my thread here to see what I mean --->sjbsuperman1425-s-upgrade-thread-t399444-240.html
Those bolts look pretty nice. Think I might order some. I try to get away from Philips screws as much as possible. They always seem to strip if the screw driver isn't in brand new shape.


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