Truck Norris is down!!

[LargeOrangeFont]

My F150 has a very small oil leak coming from a crack in the plastic valve cover. The oil is dribbling down the valve cover rail, on to a heat shield and down on the turbo exhaust side. The oil leak is almost nothing, just enough to see a little smoke here and there and smell like burning oil occasionally.

The valve cover is on national back order of course.

If I pull the valve cover to find the leak, what should I use to stop or slow it down? I am thinking back RTV on the outside to start. I am hesitant to put any epoxy or JB weld on the inside, as this is oil soaked plastic, I don't need anything foreign going through the engine.

Ideas?

 

[ltbaney1]

im no expert and have never used one, but what about those plastic welding deals? the ones i have seen look like a soldering iron.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

im no expert and have never used one, but what about those plastic welding deals? the ones i have seen look like a soldering iron.

That is a good idea. I've used them on a bumper cover before, they are pretty cool. There may be enough material to just use the soldering iron. I will have to see how thick it is wherever it is cracked. It is down low near the rail somewhere.

 

[pixrthis]

How about picking up a used replacement from a local wrecking yard?

 

[yz450mm]

 

[CLdrinker]

The only thing stopping an Holy Grail F150 is itself.

Sounds like a pain in the ass.

 

[Spudsbud]

I'd try Hi Temp caulk like we used to use on boilers or similiar although pvc welding is an option. either choice get the surface very clean like with acetone.

 

[SBMech]

They crack all the time, where the hump is for the phasers, at the head where the gasket seats in, around the square edge of the spark plug well....

Surprised this is your first run into this issue, very common.

If you give me the specifics (yr/mdl/eng size) I can check my local suppliers.

If you can't wait:

Clean it real well with carb cleaner, dry it and JB Weld it or just cram some Mopar AT Transmission Gasket silicone on it, it's impervious to oil.

Just be aware they usually leak in several spots, you might be playing ring around the rosy with them lol.

 

[Nordie]

Haul a jet bote one time, and it breaks down. Should have towed a 40' skater on a tilt and this would have never happened.

 

[SummitKarl]

soldering iron, push in and pull out in small movements each time a little bit further down the crack, should look just like a weld when finished

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Haul a jet bote one time, and it breaks down. Should have towed a 40' skater on a tilt and this would have never happened.

To be fair, it’s been doing this for a month lol.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

They crack all the time, where the hump is for the phasers, at the head where the gasket seats in, around the square edge of the spark plug well....

Surprised this is your first run into this issue, very common.

If you give me the specifics (yr/mdl/eng size) I can check my local suppliers.

If you can't wait:

Clean it real well with carb cleaner, dry it and JB Weld it or just cram some Mopar AT Transmission Gasket silicone on it, it's impervious to oil.

Just be aware they usually leak in several spots, you might be playing ring around the rosy with them lol.

Thanks. I believe this started when they did the cam phasers a few months ago. I was gonna go complain, but the part and all the seals is $80.

2018 F150 XLT 3.5 V6.

Part number is HL3Z-6582-G

 

[coolchange]

5200

 

[rivermobster]

The sucky part is, it's already all oil contaminated. Limits your options big time.

Maybe try the soldering iron trick on a used one first?

Nobody make an aftermarket one??

 

[OC Mike]

View attachment 1130540

I used this to wrap a leaky joint in 2" PVC pool line once, till I could repair it right.
It actually worked!!!

 

[WhatExit?]

Just wait for LOF to come along and tell you what to do

 

[Willie B]

… Scuff with 36 grit …clean with acetone …JB Weld couple inches wide…then fiberglass mat and a little more JB Weld… Will not work if oil is still seeping through the valve cover…

 

[OCMerrill]

My F150 has a very small oil leak coming from a crack in the plastic valve cover. The oil is dribbling down the valve cover rail, on to a heat shield and down on the turbo exhaust side. The oil leak is almost nothing, just enough to see a little smoke here and there and smell like burning oil occasionally.

The valve cover is on national back order of course.

If I pull the valve cover to find the leak, what should I use to stop or slow it down? I am thinking back RTV on the outside to start. I am hesitant to put any epoxy or JB weld on the inside, as this is oil soaked plastic, I don't need anything foreign going through the engine.

Ideas?

JB Weld. Scuff the area, scratch a groove in the crack, mix it up and apply. 1/2 hr good to go.


LOL - Or what Willie B said. See what happens when you answer the phone in the middle of a post.

 

[CobraDave]

can’t believe you haven’t had these replies yet so I’ll start… ON THE HOLY GRAIL OF TRUCKS! IT CAN’T BE!!!!

LOL good luck with the fix.

 

[SBMech]

Hawthorn Ford has the one side you need, Vreeland in Oakland has the other, both have hard stop sales tags on them, meaning I can't even order them.

My local dealer located those, but said as far as expected date they are back-ordered till...he only has zeros.....

Meaning intergalactic back order lol. Try to fix the one you got looks like!

I'd scour the local pick-your-part and e-bay and buy up a few sets if it was mine, looks like it's going to be a while till you can get new.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Soldering gun and a zip tie for filler!!

 

[Bigbore500r]

Have you tried one of these adhesive patches?

Clean well and stick it on the surface

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Free Shipping - Goodmark Door Jamb Decals with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Decals and Stickers at Summit Racing.

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[DRYHEAT]

I can’t believe no one suggested an LS swap yet.

 

[oldschool]

Just took my 3.5 in for cam phasers today.

 

[BingerFang]

just drive around in yore speed car instead.

 

[rivermobster]

I can’t believe no one suggested an LS swap yet.

See post 22

 

[mash on it]

@LargeOrangeFont

Is it the 3.5?
Ford Taurus, 2012, had cast aluminum valve covers. Should I say at least the front one. (It would be driver's side, I think)
That is if '12 Taurus v/c's are the same as the eco boost f150 variety.

Dan'l

 

[BIGRED9158]

just drive around in yore speed car instead.

I am supposed to have a kid December 4th and I would put my money down that my kid is here before he gets his car

 

[monkeyswrench]

Are these the HDPE type black plastic? I've had good luck with washing in a tub with hot water and Dawn dish soap. Dry with paper towels or shop wipes, then wipe down with rubbing alcohol...same way I prep old aluminum. The alcohol draws out impurities in the crack, so wipe and repeat until clean paper. A soldering iron and stitching like @SummitKarl said works well.

Or, smear RightStuff on it with a putty knife

Just be thankful the coolant feeds into the turbos aren't leaking...they suck balls!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

@LargeOrangeFont

Is it the 3.5?
Ford Taurus, 2012, had cast aluminum valve covers. Should I say at least the front one. (It would be driver's side, I think)
That is if '12 Taurus v/c's are the same as the eco boost f150 variety.

Dan'l

I’ll see if that might fit. Thanks for the heads up

 

[Runs2rch]

@LargeOrangeFont

Is it the 3.5?
Ford Taurus, 2012, had cast aluminum valve covers. Should I say at least the front one. (It would be driver's side, I think)
That is if '12 Taurus v/c's are the same as the eco boost f150 variety.

Dan'l

I think the 2012 F150 3.5 had aluminum as well.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I can’t believe no one suggested an LS swap yet.

 

[4Waters]

Have you tried a different prop?

 

[LHC Kirby]

Thanks. I believe this started when they did the cam phasers a few months ago. I was gonna go complain, but the part and all the seals is $80.

2018 F150 XLT 3.5 V6.

Part number is HL3Z-6582-G

I searched for part number…

HL3Z-6582-G - Valve Cover 2017-2021 Ford | Online Ford Parts Catalog

Save Money On Your OEM Valve Cover - hl3z6582g - For Your 2017-2021 Ford Vehicle When You Shop Online With Us!

www.onlinefordpartscatalog.com

Lots of others too… some say out of stock

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I searched for part number…

HL3Z-6582-G - Valve Cover 2017-2021 Ford | Online Ford Parts Catalog

Save Money On Your OEM Valve Cover - hl3z6582g - For Your 2017-2021 Ford Vehicle When You Shop Online With Us!

www.onlinefordpartscatalog.com

Lots of others too… some say out of stock

I’ve ordered from 3 places.. they all have canceled the order a couple days later

 

[riverroyal]

Trade it in...wait theres no trucks on the lot
Buy mine! 105k for you. I will deliver

 

[LHC Kirby]

I’ve ordered from 3 places.. they all have canceled the order a couple days later

WOW..... I'll be LHC next week, if you call the pick a part place up behind Lowes - Bulldog? - and find out if the right year and model is there.... I'll run out there and pull the part and bring back to the OC.... I know you live close to me , you came to the RDP meet up at the WINGS place a few years back....... We need to do that again, just not on WING night...ha ha lol

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

WOW..... I'll be LHC next week, if you call the pick a part place up behind Lowes - Bulldog? - and find out if the right year and model is there.... I'll run out there and pull the part and bring back to the OC.... I know you live close to me , you came to the RDP meet up at the WINGS place a few years back....... We need to do that again, just not on WING night...ha ha lol

I will be in Havasu most of next week as well. I’ll give them a call, that’s a good idea!

 

[LHC Kirby]

I will be in Havasu most of next week as well. I’ll give them a call, that’s a good idea!

I have a 1989 chevy p-up, that I keep in LHC..... So I have visited there a couple of times.... they are not real good as "What years" are there, but it's worth the drive.