Leaking Valve Cover on D-Max

[Chris Todd]

Today while doing some medium maintenance on my 2002 D-Max I noticed a slightly leaking valve cover on the right side. The oil leak is so slight as to not affect oil quantity over even as much as 5000 miles; it doesn

[madmatt]

[quote]The engine is still in warranty at 69,000 miles, so all I

[Chris Todd]

Well, even if the dealer doesn't cover it, my aftermarket warratny coverage from GIECO will for $250...

So, is there anything I, or the dealer who works on it, needs to watch out for while changing a valve cover and gasket?

Or is it not worth worrying about?

Also it leaks onto the hot exaust manifold, so some of the very small drips get somewhat evaporated/smoked/vaporized prior to hitting the clean surface. That would seem, to me, to make the test posted above somewhat suspect.

Thanks

[madmatt]

if it were my truck, unless it was hitting the ground or causing an oil consumption concern, I'd leave it be. Just for the simple fact that it's only a "seep" for now, who knows what it could be after it's been apart and back together. I've seen a lot of techs who have a hell of a time getting those covers sealed for some reason. Also I regularly wash my engine so I probably wouldn't notice a small seep. I'd clean it off and see how bad it comes back before you roll past 100K.

[Kennedy]

I think you'd be opening up a big can of worms with the incector line nut corrosion and the potential for a mess. I had a 2002 in yesterday with the same seepage. VERY minor.

I'd clean it off and see how bad it comes back.

[HD=HossDiesel]

Also take note of all the stuff you need to remove to get the Valve covers off. According to the shop manual its a 5 1/2 hr job. I've never done it myself but my truck had to have repairs a few weeks ago and they had to remove the left one. Labor for the bill was $800. I took a look at it myself I dont know if it was worth that but.... it darn sure didnt look like any fun. Oh and the right side supposedly is even more difficult to work on.

[madmatt]

Gm list the job as 6.7 hrs warr and almost 9 hrs cust. pay. I would rather do the right side(pass. side) but i've never had the luxury of removing just that side!