Its back, and better than ever.

Go back in time approximately 6-months. Alan's Focus has a leaky valve/cam cover. He replaces the gasket. Tight as a drum for about 3-months. 3-months later, an oil leak returns. Fearing the worse, Alan takes it to the Ford dealer to diagnose the problem. Ford identifies a leaking valve/cam cover and fixes the problem.

Fast forward to today, approximately 3-months after the Ford fix. Oil is practically covering the underside of my hood above the cam gears. Thinking it couldn't possibly be another leaking valve cover, I check to see if one of the cam seals took a shit. Start the car again (motor still hot), and not a drip of oil coming off the gears. Just to reconfirm there is no oil, I hold a piece of white paper over the area for a few minutes over the area...not a damn drop of oil.

So what the fuck could be happening? I am absolutely baffled. Either the valve cover is leaking AGAIN, or oil is getting onto my cam belt via other means. I find it highly unusual to be on my 3rd valve cover gasket in 6-months (if that is the problem).

I know Ford has a habit of using bolts you can only torque a certain number of times...so perhaps the valve cover bolts are to blame? Maybe I should find some nice grade 8 stainless alternatives? Could there be something wrong with my valve cover (it is constructed out of plastic)?

I'm crossing my fingers just hoping it isn't seeping from the crank seal behind the timing belt gear.


I'm sure I'll be tearing into the valve cover next weekend during the battery and oil catch can installation. Should be another month before I can take a good look at what is going on with the bottom end. Just need to get some feedback on things to look for we go tearing into things on another wild goose chase.