I changed my oil recently in my VS and didnt replace the valve cover gaskets. They looked good, so I left them. I noticed later that there appeared to be a small leak from the right side. I jiggered it with a screw-driver to hopefully get a better seat and fix the problem. Instead, I evidently KINKED the gasket at the bottom, which caused the valve cover to basically have a hole in the bottom.
I discovered this when I got to work after my 25 mile drive this morning. Oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket area like crazy! I had trailed a little oil as well through the parking lot. I let it sit for 15 minutes and checked the dipstick . . . barely a trace on the very end of the dipstick! Horrors!
I replaced the gasket . .. wiped-up the mess on the heat exchanger, and was able to top-up with 1.5 quarts of castrol. Note that I use a mini-deep sump from CB performance which makes my total capacity about 3 quarts. So . . .I had leaked out about half my oil. I never saw the oil light go on (and keep an eye on those lights as I drive), it was all of 40 degrees out this morning, and the engine ran VERY cool all the way to work. No smoke, no hot smell detected. After fixing the problem and topping-up, it runs strong and I see no leaks at all.
Moral of the story: Change your gaskets and check them frequently.
Did I get lucky? What does everyone think? Feedback appreciated.
Alan
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