Both valve covers seep on my 2003 Land Rover Disc II; I see from this forum it is pretty common, and I can live with it. The right oneleaksa little more than the left one, both near the rear. I monitor the oil levels closely to make sure it is not too much. My two questions are:

1. There is some oil coming out from around the right rear valve cover bolt, and I see some minute bubbling around the head of the boltafter I turnthe truckoff. Should I tighten it?
2. If so, where do I get the socket for that bolt? Also, I haven't gotten a bentley manual yet, what is the proper torque?

Thanks,
Josh

 

I'd be careful about tightening the head bolts. The bolts are close to snapping point when they are torqued. In my 2000 LR with a 4L engine, the torque spec is 33Nm ( about 15 ft.lbs. ) followed by 90 degree turns times two ( 180 degrees ). The bolt are never turned 180 degrees all at once. Bubbling may indicate a gasket issue.
Bolt head is a 5/8 in ( preferably ) or 16 mm socket. Go for the 6 point socket ( hardened ) vs the 12 point socket.
Hope this helps.
Ed

 

I don't think he means the head bolts, just the valve cover gaskets.

Just snug them up. There is a brass insert made into the gasket to keep you from overtightening the bolts. That said, don't go crazy with it, just snug it down. The gaskets are about $40 a piece and a dealer only item.

 

Thanks for the input, especially about the inserts. I figure just a bit of tightening if they are loose will do it. I have to go add the Whitworth style sockets to my tool collection too .

 

sorry, I forgot that part. I don't remember the size, but it is just a 12 point socket. Should be able to get to all of them with an extension. I just needlessly changed my LH gasket. I thought it was the gasket, but the oil switch was leaking and the fan was blowing it all around...

 

If you are getting some bubbeling from the head gasket area, I would suggest you get into your favorite shop and have them inspect for a failing head gasket.
Mike

 

8mm (12 point) for the valve cover bolt .
Ed

 

Thanks Ed, Disco guy for bolt sizes. Those twelve point sockets are none too common. I thought whitworth because there was alot of talk on the internet search I conducted that whitworth was what was on land rovers, but I see it is just a common 12 point, although not too common when you try to buy a set of 8 - 12 in your local stores.

-- Disco Mike, I'm my favorite shop : ). How could I inspect for that sort of thing on my own? Is it just out of the league of a DITYer?

-- Another question while I'm around. The gent I bought this from said the tires were changed all at the same time, but there is more normal wear in the front tires than the back tires. I'm going to rotate them tommorrow, is there a common explanation for this?

Thanks again

 

I would suggest you do a pressure test on the coolant system, if there is an internal leak found do a chemical block test.
As for the tire wear, if you are still dealing with the factory Goodyears they are prone to wear out fast, especially on the front, so rotate every 5000 to 7500 miles.
Mike

 

Ah. The auto-craft shop here in post should be able to do a pressure test then. Chemical block test does not compute, how does that work?