Engine oil additives and cam cover leak

mowlas

Member
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1,728
Would really appreciate opinions or experiences from forum members on engine oil additives for:

  1. Stopping engine oil leaks. I have a very slow leak from my cam cover gaskets. However this is quite expensive to replace, labour-wise, and products like this are supposed to rejuvenate rubber and plastic seals in the engine: Liqui Moly Pro-Line 5182 Oil Leak Stop 1 L https://amzn.eu/d/4oTwWb0
  2. Mitigating engine wear and fuel efficiency gains. Saw Ed China endorsing this ceramic-coating based product and seems to have good reviews: Liqui Moly P000017 Cera Tec, 1 x 300ml https://amzn.eu/d/4NyEHk0
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
Personally I wouldn't be adding anything to the oil.

If you are looking for fuel efficiency you are driving the wrong car :D

These engines are very robust and not particularly highly tuned, stick to OEM oil and if anything an annual change rather than 2 yearly.

As for the CAM gaskets, I would think only proper replacement and correct sealing will fix them.
 

CatmanV2

Member
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48,543
  1. Possibly but no experience. I think I'd rather get it done properly, but not my money.
  2. Snake oil. If it was that simple / cheap to increase efficiency, it'd be a factory fit.

Slightly tangentially it does amuse me when people start saying 'you should change your oil every 5k miles, because I do and I've never had a problem'. Oddly I change my oil per the manual's recommendations and....I've never had a problem. Sometimes people just overthink stuff.

C
 

Sam McGoo

Member
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1,745
I don't know if the modern equivalents are any better, as it's not something I would consider now days, especially on a car worth more than a few £K, but from my knowledge and experience, anything that can 'fix' and oil leak from inside out will undoubtedly clog something up that you don't want clogging up Eg, small oil ways etc.... I'd avoid.

Just save up and change the gaskets replaced.
How bad are they by the way?
 

mowlas

Member
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1,728
How bad are they by the way?
Not too bad - a very slow leak, but enough to build up to some small, but annoying spot leaks on the new driveway every month. Checking oil levels regularly and nothing major in terms of loss. The cam covers themselves don’t look as clean and pretty as they should.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,543
Not too bad - a very slow leak, but enough to build up to some small, but annoying spot leaks on the new driveway every month. Checking oil levels regularly and nothing major in terms of loss. The cam covers themselves don’t look as clean and pretty as they should.

Sure that's coming off the cover gaskets? Mostly those weeps burned off on the manifolds, I thought?

C
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Not too bad - a very slow leak, but enough to build up to some small, but annoying spot leaks on the new driveway every month. Checking oil levels regularly and nothing major in terms of loss. The cam covers themselves don’t look as clean and pretty as they should.

Ah, I was gonna say if they're just weeping and they're not at the point of dripping on the floor, or collecting on your CAT, then you have time. But does sound like yours are ready for a change.
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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7,309
Main dealer charge about £1000 per side as they have it as 8 hour job. Indies do it in 90 mins, 2-3 hours tops for both sides. You can therefore have both sides done for £300 max. Get it done, it’s a fire hazard as the oil drips onto the manifolds. If there is enough to leave spots on your drive, it’s beyond late to get it rectified.
 

philw696

Member
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25,114
Used to earn us good bonus when I worked for the Dealership.
Would happily do valve cover gasket s in my workshop.
 

mowlas

Member
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1,728
@CatmanV2 and @Sam McGoo thanks. I’ll reinvestigate where the leaks are possibly coming from. I’m not getting any burning oil smells from inside or out which I presume I’d get if they were getting onto the manifolds and cats. One thing for sure is that the cam covers have oil on them.
 

mowlas

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1,728
Main dealer charge about £1000 per side as they have it as 8 hour job. Indies do it in 90 mins, 2-3 hours tops for both sides. You can therefore have both sides done for £300 max. Get it done, it’s a fire hazard as the oil drips onto the manifolds. If there is enough to leave spots on your drive, it’s beyond late to get it rectified.
Thanks Richard. Any indies you’d recommend? I’d be happy to travel a bit from north west London.
 

mowlas

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Used to earn us good bonus when I worked for the Dealership.
Would happily do valve cover gasket s in my workshop.
I’ve seen a few videos on cam covers coming off QP Vs… they have not achieved internet sensation status yet, perhaps because the background music was naff ;o)
I don’t have the courage to try it myself at this stage. Love the car too much to get anything wrong.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,114
I’ve seen a few videos on cam covers coming off QP Vs… they have not achieved internet sensation status yet, perhaps because the background music was naff ;o)
I don’t have the courage to try it myself at this stage. Love the car too much to get anything wrong.
Easier on the wet sump engine that the dry sump.
Do you have a flexible mirror like a dentist has so you can have a good look around the rear of the covers ?
That will show how bad they are and you can wipe them clean to save the driveway for the moment.
Have to be really bad to be a fire risk.
 

mowlas

Member
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1,728
Easier on the wet sump engine that the dry sump.
Do you have a flexible mirror like a dentist has so you can have a good look around the rear of the covers ?
That will show how bad they are and you can wipe them clean to save the driveway for the moment.
Have to be really bad to be a fire risk.
Great suggestion! I’ll definitely invest in one and report back! They are very cheap on Amazon.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
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16,102
Great suggestion! I’ll definitely invest in one and report back! They are very cheap on Amazon.
Amazon smazazon, go to your local motor factors/ tool shop and buy tools that way. If something is wrong, you can get straight to customer services by going back in.
 
Messages
1,117
@CatmanV2 and @Sam McGoo thanks. I’ll reinvestigate where the leaks are possibly coming from. I’m not getting any burning oil smells from inside or out which I presume I’d get if they were getting onto the manifolds and cats. One thing for sure is that the cam covers have oil on them.
Who services the car and when was it last done? They should check for any leaks anywhere (oil, water, brake fluid, power steering fluid) when the car is up in the air and the technician is standing underneath.

My guess is the spotting on the driveway is more likely a leak lower down.