Start car. Let it idle. Remove oil cap - if the engine kinda surges and burps - you have no vacuum leak. If you can't tell that you took the cap off, there is a big leak besides the one caused by taking the cap off.

My bet is that one of the hoses is deteriorating and leaking. When I did mine, I used hose clamps where they go on the nipples of the breathers - there were no clamps there before, but after breaking the seal and goofing with it, I just knew I"d have leaks without the clamps.

(The above advice applies to N/A's - I can't say if it applies to SRTs)

As to how long to let it sit? I used Max's (I think it was his) procedure:

I took my valve covers off and then separated the breathers from them. I used gasoline to clean all surfaces of old RTV. I then used Purple power to clean all four pieces and then let them all dry overnight in front of a fan.

Next day, I applied the RTV. Put things together and tightened bolts to finger tight, waited 1/2 hour. Tightened bolts to 7 ft-lbs and let them sit in front of a fan overnight.

I then put the complete assemblies on the car - all is fine over a year later.




The oil smell could be just left over spill from his work - if it does not continue and you see no leaking oil - it's fine.
As to running rough, I think a hose is bad - the car is at or over ten years old. You cant disturb those old hoses and expect them to seal if you don't use hose clamps. I bet he didnt' use hose clamps.


That's my two cents.