Possible valve cover leak fix?

[jim6669jim]

I replaced the passenger side valve cover gasket due to leaks and fouled plugs at 85K in my 2000 LS V8. Took a day, so I didn't do drivers side which is harder.
Just did new s.p.'s and coils.
I switched to synthetic oil, Mobil 1, at about 40K.
I read that syn. oil can cause seals to shrink.
So I add crankcase seal sweller "Stop Leak"(?) BArdahl?
after oil changes. The leak has almost disappeared.

 

[nelliott500]

No. You should never add additive garbage like that to your car, especially anything that's supposed to be able to stop leaks.

 

[BlackLS06]

How about you actually fix it by replacing the gasket.

 

[hite337]

NO ADDITIVES! I tore apart an old 400 small block that some idiot had put STP ring sealer in, it was like scraping a cheap sticker off a glass botlle that had been in the sun for a month. The entire inside of the block was coated with some crap that just wouldn't come off. I had to take the block and heads to be cleaned in an acid bath. All the internals went to the scrap pile.

 

[joegr]

...
So I add crankcase seal sweller "Stop Leak"(?) BArdahl?
after oil changes. The leak has almost disappeared.

So, in a little while you will be wondering why your front and real oil seals are failing.

 

[jim6669jim]

I found out that 'High Mileage' oils already contain seal restorers.
I'll try them out next to see if they also prevent leaks
http://www.mobil.us/USA-English-LCW/carengineoils_products_mobil-super-high-mileage.aspx

 

[jim6669jim]

No. You should never add additive garbage like that to your car, especially anything that's supposed to be able to stop leaks.

Ummm, looks like Mobil does exactly what you prohibit:

http://www.mobil.us/USA-English-LCW/carengineoils_products_mobil-super-high-mileage.aspx

 

[1LoudLS]

Ummm, looks like Mobil does exactly what you prohibit:

http://www.mobil.us/USA-English-LCW/carengineoils_products_mobil-super-high-mileage.aspx

that is exactly why i dont use any "high millage" oil.

mobil 1 extended performance, with 149k miles, car doesn't leak a drop.

personally, when there is a problem with my car, i tend to fix the problem, not wrap duct tape around it and pray

 

[RigsLS]

NO ADDITIVES! I tore apart an old 400 small block that some idiot had put STP ring sealer in, it was like scraping a cheap sticker off a glass botlle that had been in the sun for a month. The entire inside of the block was coated with some crap that just wouldn't come off. I had to take the block and heads to be cleaned in an acid bath. All the internals went to the scrap pile.

What about STP fuel injector cleaner in the tank every so many miles ?
or am I asking for trouble with something like that as well ?

I also added a half a bottle of Lucas Oil treatment on my last oil change.
more trouble ?

 

[joegr]

What about STP fuel injector cleaner in the tank every so many miles ?
or am I asking for trouble with something like that as well ?

I also added a half a bottle of Lucas Oil treatment on my last oil change.
more trouble ?

Waste of money...

 

[scjmc]

Most fuel treatments are mostly kerosene arent they?

 

[nelliott500]

What about STP fuel injector cleaner in the tank every so many miles ?
or am I asking for trouble with something like that as well ?

I also added a half a bottle of Lucas Oil treatment on my last oil change.
more trouble ?

Fuel injector cleaner won't hurt anything but it won't help much, if at all. You can get the same or better results by just adding some acetone to your fuel tank. Look it up.

 

[M4rk]

Using quality fuel is a wiser choice. Shell V-Power (ethanol free) for us Canadians is the way to go IMO.

 

[1LoudLS]

i do like me some V-power.

 

[RigsLS]

Waste of money...

I'm surprised to hear this Joe !

I would have thought a fuel injector cleaner once and a while would be good for it.

and I don't understand why you don't think Lucas is any good,
it improves the oil lubrication for the most part ... but I suppose one
can't always believe what is written on the side of products.

<shrugs> Mechanic buddy of mine tell me about it some years ago.

 

[nelliott500]

I'm surprised to hear this Joe !

I would have thought a fuel injector cleaner once and a while would be good for it.

and I don't understand why you don't think Lucas is any good,
it improves the oil lubrication for the most part ... but I suppose one
can't always believe what is written on the side of products.

<shrugs> Mechanic buddy of mine tell me about it some years ago.

If it makes oil so much better, why don't companies just add a similar compound to their own product?

 

[joegr]

If it makes oil so much better, why don't companies just add a similar compound to their own product?

Yep. If you're using a good synthetic, your oil already has the best additives that it can.
As for fuel injector cleaner, to be useful it has to be strong enough that it will do damage if misused or overused. The consumer stuff is too weak to be any good, but fortunately you don't really need it anymore. When fuel injection was just showing up in the late 70's and early 80s (on a big scale), it did seem that you needed to use some cleaner every now and then. Techron was good (at higher doses than they recommended). Gasoline and fuel injectors both have gotten better. It's been years since I've seen the need for any cleaner above what is already in the top tier gasoline brands.