Originally Posted by
XCountryXFire
Hello Everyone,
CrossfireForum newby here...
I have a 2006 Crossfire convertible with small oil leaking at the valve covers.
The car has very very low mileage but is driven weekly to keep everything working. For some time there has been a small oil leak causing a smell but no appreciable loss of oil or even a drip on the garage floor. Now I see a bit of oil and ask the service dept to check that out when I took it in for an oil change.
The technician said that 'replacing the valve cover is recommended service' and that due to high heat they always warp. $995 please! So, my daddy raced cars - THAT warps alum valve covers. I'm thinking the seal was never really right and just needs to be resealed.
This all leads to two questions:
In your experience are these covers just warping like this after light use?
If you're mechanical how hard is this repair as a DIY? [I havent helped work on a car in 20 yrs. Also wondering if it takes a lot of brute strength other than removing them]
I'm very mechanical and considering giving it a try. The car is our 'extra' car and if it doesnt work out, there is an independent mechanic a block from here.
From what I see you need a torque wrench, correct sealant and cleaners, perhaps some replacement screws.
What do you all think?
2006 Crossfire
3.2L V6
Like others, make sure you let us know which cover is leaking. These engines have a 2-piece valve cover. The main valve cover is typically just like any other valve cover. The odds of it warping seem somewhat far-fetched (my perspective).
But the smaller cover mounted on top of the valve cover is the crankcase breather cover. These are prone to leaks. As MAXCICHON stated, it's sealed with a RTV-type sealant. Factory install was inferior. MikeR's DIY post that started this thread is very good. The only issue is which sealant to use. There are several opinions in The Forum. Nearly all of them work. I prefer the Ultra Grey High Torque High Vibration product by Permatex (
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post523614). Going on 3 years since I did the repair and no signs of any leaks.
And take the advice from us that the screws need to be replaced. Originals are aluminum and stretch with the slightest application of torque. That really holds true for any size aluminum screw - 1x use only! If you use aluminum screws, they don't need to be much more than just over "snug". Let the RTV sealant do the sealing. I used corrosion resistant screws (marine grade) and these can be torqued to a reasonable level for the screw size.
And don't get replacement screws from Chrysler. The ones they supply are anodized steel, which is probably okay, but the screws are a couple of mm's longer (due to standard length) and "bottom-out" preventing the crankcase breather cover from attaining a good seal.
Good Luck,