everest1

I have many common oil leaks on my 2.8. The biggest leak is on a valve cover gasket. The other smaller ones are on the other valve cover and the two tensioner seal gaskets. How much longer could I go with the leaks before they become an issue, should I fix the major valve cover gasket for now, or get them all fixed now with the addition of the breather hose? I have a little too much going on and would like to wait six months.

Thanks in advance for your help.

4Driver4

I hate oil leaks. I'd do the whole thing at once as soon as you can. Fire = bad.

tangfolio

Oil leads usually just make a mess all over your motor and on your driveway. They usually don't cause any long term problems (unless they are big) but sooner is always better then later. One thing that helps is go to a heavier weight oil. Especially if you just switched to a synthetics oil which can cause leaks due to small particles that make up the oil but those small particles helps it lubricate better. hope this helps.

RKA

It was leaking down the front causing sludge build up on the timing belt tensioner. That resulted in premature failure of the TB tensioner twice...fortunately diagnosed before the belt skipped.

So, oil leaks are generally a nuisance and nothing more, but it all depends on how much is leaking and where that oil goes!

4Rings::G2 boosted::

automotive oil is not really flammable

RKA

He's been around too long to suggest what you were thinking.

4Rings::G2 boosted::

And my point is that even if you apply fire from another source, automotive oil will not burn

Hillbilly

we have big bonfires all the time in the summer. Trust me, used motor oil burns.....really well.

freakness

engine conversion project, I'll look into my Audi oil leaks. As long as you keep an eye on it and refill oil every other weekend (my current routine) and occasionally clean the leakage areas, it really doesn't matter a whole lot. Just make sure, as someone else mentioned, that the leaks aren't affecting a critical area that can cause damage.

When time is limited, then it's perfectly understandable to wait a while.

Having said that, I can't WAIT to seal everything up.

4Rings::G2 boosted::

but it won't sustain a flame on it's own. Go ahead, try to light some motor oil with matches or a lighter see what you get besides sticky fingers :P