2000 GTP valve cover leak with 70k miles

[justinarm]

Do many GTP owners have valve covers that leak? I have 72k miles on my car that I just bought last week. Is the valve cover leaking a sign that the car was driven hard by the previous owner? Or, is this a characteristic of the supercharger? My previous Grand prix (year-95) doesn't leak in the least and it has over twice the miles as the new one. Does anyone have any tips when changing out the gaskets? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kilroypr]

I have never seen valve covers leaking on these cars. Looks like the car was not maintained properly by the previous owner. You should asses how bad the engine is and based on the estimate determine if you want to fix it or get rid of it

[justinarm]

Hi again,
The engine runs pretty well. It leaks enough for it to get on the muffler thus causing it to smell. Could this of been caused by not using premium gas? The car was a lease car, so I would think that it would of had proper maintenance.

[JoeJoe231455]

Actually this isn't that uncommon. It happens less since gm started using the rubber\neoprene gaskets but sometimes they do leak. The older 3.8's had alot of valve cover gasket leaking issues (pre-96). It is a pretty simple replacement procedure and would have nothing to do with the gas grade used.
Get it taken care of quickly though if it is leaking on to the downpipe or exhaust manifold crossovers. That is a good way to start a fire.

[kilroypr]

JoeJoe I have a 93 Z-34 and never leaked thru the covers. It is leaking now thru the crankshaft seal but the engine has 193k miles on it so it is about time. I agree with the fire part. If the car was a lease then the engine had oil changes but that does not guarantee that the car was driving carefully. Anyway have the engine inspected and make sure that is just the seals. Remember an engine that has lubing problems could break easily

[JoeJoe231455]

Consider that a 93 Z-24 never came with the 3.8L engine, I don't see how that is relevant to this discussion.

You may find this useful justin...

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/searc...0&criteria=AND

[justinarm]

Thanks for the information and the Link! Thanks to both JoeJoe and kilroypr. I will let you know if they were easy to replace when I get around to doing it.

[kilroypr]

Sorry, I was thinking about the old GTP's that came with the 3.4DOHC engine.

[hardywang]

Originally Posted by kilroypr

I have never seen valve covers leaking on these cars. Looks like the car was not maintained properly by the previous owner.

I am wandering how can we maintain a car to prevent leaking such as, valve gasket, oil pan gasket, main rear seal and so on?

[kilroypr]

At every oil change after the car has 36k miles it you can use additives specialy formulated to maitain seals, gaskets and similar(mostly to prevent shrinkage).
There is also Castrol or Motul oil specially formulated for higher mileage engines that have some additives that help with preventing the seals and gaskets to shrink. This only helps if it has always been used, my Z-34 always receives an engine treatment at oil/filter change since it was 45kmiles old. Those additives will NOT work after the problem started, they are more preventive meassures not miracle cures.

[MoshimoGTP]

My GTP and my friend GTP had the same problem. Valve Covers leakage. Replaced Valve Covers and oil pan gasket too.

[hardywang]

Originally Posted by MoshimoGTP

My GTP and my friend GTP had the same problem. Valve Covers leakage. Replaced Valve Covers and oil pan gasket too.

How much it cost to replace oil pan gasket?

[MoshimoGTP]

In Mexicali, Mexico border with Calexico, cost me 45 plus tax dlls the oil pan gasket (FELPRO) at Kragen, and $45dlls the mechanic shop job. The car has no oil leakage.

[packrat68]

Valve cover leaking is a common problem on the 3800 series engine. takes some doing to get them both off to change the gaskets, so while you do that, make sure to think about rockers.... >8^)