I own a 2004 Disco with approx. 44000 mile on her and I have oil leaks coming out of my valve cover gaskets. Apparently this is common with the Disco's. Before I spend money to have them replaced does anybody know of an improved gasket for my vehicle? Or something that will prevent this from happening again? Thanks!

 

Save yourself some money and go to Sears and buy a 1/4" drive 8mm 12 point socket and snug the valve cover bolts.
The leaks will stop.
Every time you change the oil snug them back up.
Send me a check for the difference of the repair and the price of the socket.

 

That's the first thing I thought of. But I was told by a mechanic that it wouldn't work. I'll give it try and post results. Thanks!

 

Did the mechanic say why it wouldn't work? The majority of the time when someone posts on here about leaking valve covers the problem is fixed by retorquing the bolts. The manual calls for 6 lbft of torque on the bolts, torque them to 10 lbft and you should be good. Like Spike said, retorque them every oil change. They work loose over time.

 

I just tightened up the valve cover bolts that I could locate. I was only able to find the two outside ones on both sides. I'm sure there must be two more on the inner part of the covers. Anyway, of those four bolts the only loose ones were the two that were closest to the drivers compartment. The one that was on the drivers side was so loose I could spin it freely by hand. However, I didn't use a torque wrench. I just used an attachment like a screw driver handle. Basically, I tightened them by hand but not with a ratchet. How important is it that they are torqued and what about the bolts that I'm sure I couldn't find?

 

The ones on the inside wont leak, no need to torque them, just snug them up like you did.
If you want you can remove the two bottom ones and use Lock Tite on them.
Like AK said, they "wiggle" loose over time and start to leak.

 

Factory torque specs are 6 ft/lbs, I tell people 10 and check them every few months cause they will loosen up.

 

Thanks Guys!

 

I probably shouldn't post this but instead of an 8mm 12 point socket I used a 5/16" 12 point and it fit perfect. Slid right on without being forced and no play at all that I could notice. Anyway, just an observation!

 

UPDATE!!! My valve cover gaskets are no longer leaking! They are bone dry! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You guys saved me from being screwed out of any where from $450.00 to $1100.00 by my local mechanic or LR. GOD BLESS YOU!!! Does this website take donations etc? Who's the primary sponsor? I'll shop with them!