dougn

" Are you saying that removing the old gaskets and "cleaning" up the surfaces has revealed pits which are now going to leak regardless of new gaskets and correct torqueing?"

yes

Are these pits something that can be seen with a visual inspection before committing to $500 for all new covers?

yes

eddychan

I have my 964 for over 4 years now, it had always leaked slightly until I replaced the valve covers, I did ask for advices here and a lot of people told me to clean up and use proper glue, gasket, torque, bolt which I tried them all. In the end, I got a pair of valve covers from Imagine Autos at around 300 US a year ago. Until today, my 964 is still bone dry.

I am not saying all these advices are wrong, I am may be unfortunately simply just fall into this particular problem which changing the valve covers is the solution. I would not say that is a solution for eveyone who has minor leak, in fact I agree that we should try all these methods first before investing the money and get a set of new covers.

Just my own personal experience!

Enjoy your 964!

Eddy

williamreinecke

Would re-using the nuts cause you to over torque them later? Since they are locknuts there is some resistance due to that. So, if you reused them, and the locking effect was less, then would you end up putting too much pressure on the cover and gasket?

dfinnegan

In my case the valve cover nuts are not lock nuts. They are also new and came with a kit from Sunset Imports (no affiliation).

Interesting question, though.

Mike Murphy

Although I didn't find any specifics on wheel bolt torquing sequence in my Bentley manual, I know that many cars' wheels should be torqued in a star patten. This is what ensures that your wheel is properly centered on the hub. I, too, would want the same attention to detail on the wheels as I would when it comes to torquing the valve covers and anything else on the car. If you think about it, if the wheel is slightly off-center, even by a small amount, it will drastically affect your car's performance, tire wear, etc.

sundog

So I just got under the car to locate a bunch of leaks and the most obvious ones are coming from the bolt/nut of the valve covers. I got the Tarrett covers, and did have them shaved down. It seems like the leak really is coming from under the nut. I just have the nuts on, with no aluminum washers (crush washers). Would this be enough to result in leaks there?

cjoenck

When you look at how the gasket is routed, you can see how the gasket is supposed to keep the studs dry. However, using nuts without the washers may not be a great idea. The are there for a reason and are in every gasket kit I have seen. I suggest you get all new washers and nuts and torque to spec. That should help.

sundog

Yes, the gaskets were new. I did take them off, and then got the billet ones shaved. The package I got originally didn't have the washers. I don't remember them when I rebuilt the engine. Probably somebody didn't put them back on.

Spyerx

spending the $50 on some new gaskets w/ washers and nuts may be worth the headache. Oil leaks suck
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