Valve cover: leak and remove it

During the operation of the car, the car enthusiast must meet various problems that arise with his car. One such is the leakage of the valve cover. About why it arises and how to fix it, let's talk about this article.

Valve cover and seal

Any driver who has seen what is under the hood of his car is aware of the location of the valve cover. It protects the mechanism, closing it from external influences. In addition, protection against oil leakage is provided. The element is attached to the cylinder head by bolts and a special gasket cut to the shape of the head and cover.

It depends on it, sufficient tightness. The unsatisfactory state of the gasket is indicated by the oil leakage that has occurred. And in this case it will be necessary to replace it.

However, before you start repair, you need to understand the reasons that led to the depressurization of the part, otherwise the seal will have to be changed again and again.

Oil from under the valve cover

The cause of any leakage of lubricating fluid, from whatever places of connection of the motor elements it occurs, is mainly bad ventilation of the crankcase. It can be not only a valve cover, but also a gasoline pump, and a trampler, and more.

During operation, a part of the exhaust gas escapes from any piston, and through it, they seep into the crankcase of the motor. If the power unit is new, the amount of percolated gases will be minimal. But with a good run of exhaust gases in the crankcase, a lot is accumulated, and in the end an overpressure develops and the valve cover flows. To reduce it, the new cars have an additional ventilation system, designed specifically for the motor crankcase.

Crankcase ventilation

Gasoline power units are equipped with two types of ventilation: for idling and for working at high speeds. Both systems consist of rubber tubes, due to which gases are sucked into the intake manifold. Such a valve closes the system at idle. If it does not function, it will cause a very poor mixture in the intake manifold. As a result, the motor will start to shake or, worse, stall.

To ensure that the crankcase gases do not fly out with oil dust, an oil separator is installed in the valve cover. It can be clogged with carbon and do not work. Then the oil will penetrate into the intake manifold through the filter, which will, of course, cause the smoke of the motor.

The motor, equipped with an injection, has one gas suction tube, but closer to the throttle the channel is divided into two. The one that has the larger diameter enters the collector up to the damper, and the smaller one, which is usually littered with slag, after it. Through this channel of smaller diameter ventilation is realized at idle speed, and after the second one - when the damper is open. If the channels become dirty and there is no ventilation, the exhausts create so much overpressure in the motor that they can not withstand the gaskets or the stuffing box. This is why the crankcase gases begin to flow outward.

If it is found that the valve cover is flowing, before repairing the failure, it is necessary to restore the ventilation system so that even at a thousand revolutions the cardboard on the valve cover can be pressed against it. After all, with a worn-out mechanism, this can not be obtained even at two thousand revolutions, because the exhaust will break through into the crankcase, and the oil leak will continue again and again.

Flushing the lid

If you find that the valve cover is sweating, it is removed and washed, and the seal is changed. You may be surprised at the result. The main thing - do not forget about the lubrication of the washer and bolts, with which the valve cover is fixed. When washing, you should try to completely wash the oil separator, so that the grid in it at least slightly cleared. When installing the cover back and tightening the nuts, be careful not to rip the thread and crush the part.

16V

On the other hand, if you constantly maintain the oil level, regularly replenishing it, then there is nothing terrible in the leakage of oil from under the valve cover. But with a motor 16V, installed, for example, on the Lacetti, in which the candles are in the recesses, this malfunction may result in the failure of the ignition system. Therefore, the valve lid "Lacetti" in this case should be removed, and the leak is eliminated necessarily.

Replacing the gasket

To replace the gasket, you need to take care in advance of the availability of all components, that is, a new gasket, sealant and degreaser.

Replacement is made on a cold motor, so as not to get burns and injuries due to hot parts.

The procedure is as follows:

1. The car is driven into the garage or to an ordinary level platform, the hood is opened.
2. Remove the filter cover and unscrew the bolts.
3. Remove the remaining fasteners and the cover itself from the cylinder head.
4. The compounds of the elements are cleaned of the existing sealant and degreased.
5. Process a new part with sealing means and perform the installation in reverse order.

After the replacement is made, the head must be wiped and the motor started. If the leak is detected again, the gasket or sealant is likely to be of poor quality, or the installation has been performed in the wrong sequence.

To avoid negative consequences, all parts, including the Opel Astra G valve cap, on which the mentioned 16V engine is installed, gaskets, sealants and everything else should be purchased in trustworthy auto parts stores.