[CrunchyCookie]

Hi, is this "valve cover gasket leak" a chronic problem with the SR20DE engine, or what? Two years ago, the Infiniti dealership discovered the problem on our 96 G20, and then again one year ago (either they didn't fix it or I'm just unlucky). I just had AAA do an inspection on my 95 SE-R yesterday and they discovered the same thing.
Has anyone else experienced this, is it fatal, and how much would it cost to repair? For an acclaimed engine that's been around since 1991, such serious problems are disappointing.

 

[thepep]

Hi, is this "valve cover gasket leak" a chronic problem with the SR20DE engine, or what? Two years ago, the Infiniti dealership discovered the problem on our 96 G20, and then again one year ago (either they didn't fix it or I'm just unlucky). I just had AAA do an inspection on my 95 SE-R yesterday and they discovered the same thing.
Has anyone else experienced this, is it fatal, and how much would it cost to repair? For an acclaimed engine that's been around since 1991, such serious problems are disappointing.

Where specifically is the leak? If the gasket is new and the valve cover/cylinder head surfaces are straight, it shouldn't leak. Its real easy to do yourself. It takes about 15 - 20 minutes to get the valve cover off if you've never done it before. Scrape all the old gasket material off without getting any in the valvetrain, apply new sealant to the half-moon cutouts and area around distributor, make sure the gasket is securely in the "rails" of the valve cover and push it down into place. Torque the bolts down in the correct order and reconnect everything.

Steve

 

[onyxeros]

what he said

add to that get a manual that tells you the bolt tightening pattern of the valve cover and pay attention to the fact that the bolts are tightened in inch lbs NOT FT LBS.

Go to pep boys and buy a new one if need be

to give you an idea of if this is chronic i replaced my cam and reused the same gasket and never added sealant (jut let it stay on) and i have never had a leak.

someone may be putting it on wrong, just leaking oil is the main issue but not fatal

O

 

[wickedsr20]

Definitely NOT a chronic problem. Have only seen it happen when someone removes the valve cover and rips the gasket when pulling it off or crushing it when re-installing it. Other than that, I've never heard another SR20 owner complain about this happening on it's own.

 

[lalito]

valve cover leak

I had this problem, but only because I switching to synthetic oil after 100k can cause this in many applications.

I'm not very mechanically oriented and replaced the gasket myself. It wasn't that difficult.

 

[Guest]

head-gasket

just becareful when changing the gasket or tightening it is an easy process as long as u take ur time ....

 

[Pretty White]

If it bothers you just put a dab of liquid gasket in the cam lobe cutout.

It is not an oil leak really, it is just "sweat". I know it probally bothers you but I have an extremely clean motor and it sweats down the head sometimes. Just wipe it off with some simple green. You will not lose compression or any substantial oil because of it. Espically do not lose sleep.

 

[nismoweapon]

I agree with Pretty White in that it's more "sweat" than a leak. My '99 Sentra SE with 49K miles has the same problem. Just a slight amount seeps out near the end of the cams. I took the car up to the Nissan dealership today and they are replacing it under warrenty with no questions asked. Actually, I was just planning on buying a gasket and putting it on myself but they offered to do it under the 60K mile power train warrenty! Hopefully it won't do it again. BTW- I was running Mobil 1 10W30 Synthetic oil but it started before I switched to synthetic.

 

[samk]

gasket leaks are just what happens when cars age. it happens on all cars. seals will begin to break down and deteriorate. it's no big deal. enjoy an aging car!

 

[91SR20DE]

I've had my cam cover off a couple times, never used any sealant, and I've never bought a new gasket, no leaks. Its when I put on a not so clean freshly bead blasted cam cover that I ran into problems(note to self, flush baffles good before installing).