Crankcase vapor smell / leak question

[joespanova]

On my wifes 2000 LS / V8 there is a crankcase vapor emitting from what appears to be below the Pass side valve cover.......there is no visable leak.
In other words no leak on floor or engine.
Its difficult to see the source from just leaning over the fender.


Anything in that area as far as crankcase venting / tubing or e-vac system that may be the problem.

The valve cover is tight ( bolts etc ) and has never been off the engine.

Thanks!

 

[oddball]

The crankcase ventilation goes through the upper front are of the passenger valve cover before the bulge for the timing chains. There's a firm black plastic tube that runs in an L shape from the valve cover to the throttle body.
Did you also check the bolts between the COPs?
Also check the timing cover bolts.
Other than that, I'm stumped.

 

[joespanova]

The crankcase ventilation goes through the upper front are of the passenger valve cover before the bulge for the timing chains. There's a firm black plastic tube that runs in an L shape from the valve cover to the throttle body.
Did you also check the bolts between the COPs?
Also check the timing cover bolts.
Other than that, I'm stumped.

"Did you also check the bolts between the COPs?"

Please explain? LOL

 

[scjmc]

COPS= Coil on plug ignition. He means the plastic covers on the valve covers.

 

[Quik LS]

if it's a 2000 - then there is a common issue with oil getting past the valve cover o-rings and getting oil into the spark plug wells. if you remove the COP cover, and pull one of the COP out - check for oil around the base of the spark plug.

so - you get the smell of a valve cover leak - but since it leaked inside the well you never see it.

 

[joespanova]

As far as I can tell it doesnt appear to be coming from the coil cover........it starts way below that..................I'll take a real close look again..........

BTW , that side does have the oil in the plug wells issue ( driver side did not , go figure ) but had never "vapored" before...........I guess its possible its real full in one or more of the wells................I'll check , and then get ready for what I've been putting off for a while now.............replacing the O' rings.



thanks

 

[oddball]

Under the COP cover, there are two bolts that sit between the COPs, also to hold the valve cover to the head.
The passenger valve cover gasket set (get the set, not just the valve cover gasket!) is really easy to replace on the passenger side. Driver side takes a little longer.

 

[joespanova]

Thanks!

 

[oddball]

Another option is the valve cover or timing cover cracked.
The gaskets are fairly high quality, so you can reuse them at least briefly. Wouldn't hurt to pull the passenger cover and inspect it closely.
The hydraulic fan pump has, IIRC, two bolts (at least one!) that go into the timing cover in a very weak area. So if that gets overly stressed - like mine did when using an air hammer to remove the grade 8 bolt - then the timing cover can crack.