Re: Plugs, Valve and Pan Gaskets (Questions)

[Andrew Duane USG/PE <duane@zk3.dec.com>]

Hairy green toads from Mars made The Judge say:

> I figured today was the day to replace the spark plugs (105k miles). 
> While inspecting the plugs, I noticed there is oil residue on the block
> near one of the plugs.  Is this a leak in the valve cover gasket?  If
> so, how much to replace (I will not do it myself, have neither the time
> nor the inclination right now)?

Assuming you don't have the 20V head, replacing the valve cover gasket
is pretty easy. There was some talk about "lifetime" silicon gaskets
a long while ago. I think the consensus was to stick with cheap cork.


> The last time I had the oil changed, I was told there is a small leak in
> the oil pan gasket.  How much should this be to replace (i.e. have it
> done)?

Is it the pan gasket ($), or the oil pump ($$$$)?  I though my leak was
the gasket or the pressure switch, but now I'm pretty sure it's the
pump on the side of the pan. I've been running with this leak for about
a year, and it gets slowly worse. It's bad enough now that I'm finally
fixing it.  If it drips down the front drivers side of the pan, it
may be the pump.

-- 

Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7)			duane@zk3.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation		(603)-881-1294
110 Spit Brook Road
M/S ZKO3-3/U14
Nashua, NH    03062-2698

Only my cat shares my opinions, and she's too heavy to care.