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Step 1
Wash and degrease the engine. This can be done at a local car wash, though the quality of the products is often not as high as selecting the products yourself for use at home. Purchase an engine degreaser and spray down your entire engine, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose off the engine and all of the degreaser.
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Step 2
Drive the vehicle for about 100 miles before looking for the leak. This will allow ample time for the engine to process all of the fluids, circulating them through the engine. If there is a leak, you will be able to find it after the engine has run and been cleaned to prevent confusion between a leak and engine build-up.
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Step 3
Look at the area between the valve cover and the cylinder head. If the valve cover gasket is leaking, there will be oil in that space and on the parts around the area. Fix the problem immediately to avoid further damage and leaking.
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Step 4
See your local auto parts store to get the necessary parts to fix the leak. You shouldn't need more than a new valve cover gasket, which is generally inexpensive. You can also get this from your local car dealer parts department, though it will probably cost more than at an auto parts store.
Comments
guitarman054 said
on 5/12/2009 Before you take your car to car wash you better check first. A lot of car washes, self car washes do not allow this even though they have water recyling and water waste management systems, plus a lot of cities and states do not allow because of possible water contamination. About just a valve cover you have not worked on a Cadillac Northstar engine noted for bottom oil pan gasket leakage which required repair is either pull engine and or trans or both to repair because your exhaust runs inbetween the engine and trans. I am not trying to slam you just wanted you to know. Read my article on Northstar Engine oil leak repair. The engines are a son of a gun to repair and expensive.