Was under the hood tonight and I noticed oil has been weeping out under the bolts on top of the valve cover (is that still what it's called on this engine?). Seems to be more prevalent in the back, but five out of six bolts had this going on. Not much oil, but enough that it's run down the side a bit--probably a tablespoon or two total. Looked pretty fresh. Put Amsoil in about 400 miles ago. Bolts seem tight. Anybody seen this before? I figure at 4600 miles, the only wet stuff under there should be the stuff I'm always spilling. VC gasket seems fine.

 

I've found that syn oil (amsoil is syn right?) has a propensity to leak more than dyno oil. Maybe its due to the better flowing properties.

I had a couple of vehicles that weeped from a main seal using syn oil and didn't weep with dyno oil.

I'd check to see if its properly torqued down first. From your description it sounds like a little more than should be acceptable on a brand new engine. Is the oil level too high?

 

Hmmmm. Here's whahappened: I changed the oil a few days ago, and even though I fastidiously wiped up what I poured on the outside of the engine, there was some hiding on the roof of the black plastic head-valve cover-cover. When the engine heated up enough, it ran down onto the VC and collected around the bolt heads. Hope I'm right, still watching. Darn good post though Bulabula, sorry to waste your time. This is such a great site.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=20;threadid=19249;start=0#msg180946 date=1062770859]
I've found that syn oil (amsoil is syn right?) has a propensity to leak more than dyno oil. Maybe its due to the better flowing properties.

I had a couple of vehicles that weeped from a main seal using syn oil and didn't weep with dyno oil.

[/quote]

You know, that is supposed to be an old wives' tale, but damned if the same thing hasn't happened to me.

I have an old Honda Magna that had 36,000 miles on it when I bought it. Didn't leak a drop. First oil change, I used Honda GN-1 (dino) oil. Still no leaks. Second oil change, switched to Mobil 1. Started leaking almost immediately; makes as big a mess as a knucklehead.

 

there seems to be some issues with the valve cover gaskets dont think is related to the synthetic. but synthetic oild does do a better chob of cleaning than conventional oil so on an older engine it will clean out all the crud that is prventing the dino from leaking.