On my 03' WRX I have an oil leak on the passenger side of the engine. I think it might be coming from the half moon but in order to get to that I need to take off the valve cover gasket. Does anyone know exactly what gaskets I'm going to need in order to complete this job?

 

call mastro. It's a simple job, basically just make sure that you let the RTV silicone cure properly and you're golden. Mine took less than an hour (minus curing).

 

I know this sounds dumb but you use the RTV w/ the gaskets as well, right? Also what kind of RTV did you use?

 

If you're using fresh valve cover gaskets you shouldn't need to use RTV in addition. You WILL need to put a dab under the half moon and on the seams between the half moon and the head.

Besides the moon(s), you'll also need the outer valve cover gasket and both spark plug hole gaskets. I suggest p[utting a dab of RTV around the cam caps and just a tiny bit in the groove in the valve coverto make sure the rubber guy stays in place as you put it on.

Before you go through all that business, make sure it's not your power steering pump leaking on to the block and trickling down.

 

holy cow i didn't realize this thread was posted here too. Sorry for repost of same issue. So mastro would fix it for how much?? What about S&R do they do this type of work or just performance stuff?

 

No worries man, it's funny that this is a fairly common issue. I'm going to hopefully tackle my leak some point this week. I may just try and reseal it w/ RTV if the gaskets are too expensive or will take a long time to get in. I'll let you know what I find.

 

I reused mine with no issues, but it was on a 45,000 mile car.

Plus, it was only leaking because I knocked the silicone plug into the valve cover.

 

Well i took some pics of my issue, because I'm not sure exactly what it is. I don't want to thread jack but at the sametime I think we are both having the same problem. You can see my header heat shield, and the minimal amount of oil that has went on it. I traced the oil back up and it's actually on top of the valve cover, around an oval type thing with a hose comming out of the top of it. I think the gasket is bad on that, or the hose is old and clamp is not working. The oil seems to have been comming out of there for sometime, as it is now grime and not just fresh oil. PIc's below illustrate, can anyone confirm this?

 

looks like the valve cover gasket to me

 

Yes, we do. One day there will be a twin turbo kit on something, next day might be a timing belt on a Carolla...

Pictures make it tricky to tell, but it looks like it may either be valve cover gasket or the valve cover vent gasket. Trace it to the highest point of wetness and that will typically be your leak.

Or feel free to bring it by and I'll take a look at it.