1996 Saturn SL2 valve cover gasket

BSWAFF12

MEMBER
1996 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
70,000 MILES

I have changed my gasket 2 times in the past 4 months and it persists to leak, I have tightened the bolts in the sequence that is given and to the correct torque. This second time I put a nice bead of rtv around the whole cover and replaced the cover and let cure for the recomended 24 hours. And it still persissts to leak, close to 2 quarts every 700 miles I would say. Any ideas on a fix?

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Where exactly is it leaking?You should only have to put a bead of silicone in two places where the front cover meet's the head by the belt area front and rear.

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 12:11 AM

BSWAFF12

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It is leaking from inbetween the gasket and the aluminem block i will upload a picture and point out where it is leaking from, in the 2 spots is where it is coming from like the bolts on it needs to be tighter but i have already had 1 snap off that i fixed and got out so i cannot get them tighter then the recomended.

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 12:54 AM

SATURNTECH9

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Is that a metal or plastic valve cover?

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 1:03 AM

BSWAFF12

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3 POSTS

In mine is black plastic, it was dark couldent get a good picture lastnight so I got one off google

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 9:50 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

It's supposed to be plastic that's why the picture threw me off. When you replace the gasket all you have to do to keep it from leaking on those two places is put a nice bead of silicone across the straight edge where the front cover meet's the head. That's the trick for it not leaking.