can a leaking valve cover cause difference in performance?

kbobob · Post by **kbobob** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:24 pm

I know this is a weird question, the only reason I asked is that i just changed my valve cover gasket(had two broken bolts that are now fixed, before being fixed i had oil leaking onto the manifold making a nice smell) and spark plug tube seals (the seals were hard as a rock and not sealing the greatest). It seems like the car is a little peppier now, so i was just wondering if the leak(S) were big enough if it could mess with the pcv and now that its sealed better the pcv is working right.

I keep telling myself it must just be in my head that there is a difference.

p.s. getting broken bolts out were the easiest bolts i have ever removed, just hitting the centers with an awl got them moving, i was going to use easy outs but need to.

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:04 pm

i belive so it can make a diff because of compresion

Post by **jonnymopar** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:05 pm

There wouldn't be any difference in acceleration after changing the valve cover gasket/tube seals. If the car is indeed peppier, either it's in your head or something 'accidentally' got fixed while you were under there (believe me, I've seen wierder stuff happen). Even if the PCV valve was acting funny and sucking in more oil, Neons are known for oil literally pooling in the intake and running fine.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:06 am

SOKADAO954 wrote:i belive so it can make a diff because of compresion

If you have compression in the valve cover, then you have some pretty serious problems!

Like Jonny said, other than the PCV system not working like it should, there isn't any real logical reason it should be running better.

I will say that whenever I fix some little thing on my car that has nothing to do with performance, my car still seems to run better. Also after she has a bath. My conclusion? If your car is happy with you, it will show it

patiofurnituregt · Post by **patiofurnituregt** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:38 pm

If your car is happy with you, it will show it

2kLX · Post by **2kLX** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:31 pm

If the valve cover was leaking so badly to create a vacume leak - it could have been repaired when the gasket was replaced - (try running the car with the oil cap off) - - - could also be the PCV and its system now has a good vacume signal....... then again maybe its happy

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:12 pm

The air makeup hole in the back is a bigger leak than a loose cover will be. You want air comming in, or you will draw a vacuum in the crankcase. If that happens, then there is no air going out, removing moisture, etc, with it. That's the whole point of Positive Crankcase Ventilation.