Just returned from a 6000mile trip and all went well except I developed an oil leak around the valve covers. Before I left on the trip I put new valve cover gaskets on and torqued them 30 foot lbs. The first 1500 miles was just fine ( only lost 1/2 qt ) but after that it was a qt ever 200 mile. The old girl ran just fine and I went thru some big mountains. Any ideas?

Charliex25

 

Did you get the grey gaskets from Cummins or the black ones from a parts store? I did not have any luck with the parts store ones- always leaked- switched to the grey ones and no more leaks

The only other thing I can think of is debris under a gasket or a cover is cracked.

Good luck,
Michael

 

The Cummins Black gaskets are working just fine on mine. Just put them in a couple three weeks ago. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" is what my father always told me. The gasket surfaces on the head and the cover need to be absolutely clean. Also check and see if you pinched one somewhere. It's easy to do when you are reaching all the way to the back kneeling on the bumper .

 

You most likely cut them when torqueing them that much. The correct torque number is 18ftlb.

 

I was afraid that I torqued them to much. Thank you for the info.

Charliex25

 

Can someone tell me what the torque is on the head bolts on the 5.9L I have a shop manual but cant find the chart for all the torques.

 

Short bolts: 66 ft#
Long bolts: 89 ft#
Tighten all bolts 90 degrees past the torque spec.
Start in the middle and work outwards in a circle, come up to peak torque in 3 steps.

 

thanks dave

 

o thats not a leak, its an external lubiraction system...haha, i have a leak there too...what do i do to fix it, im guessing new valve covers?