oil leak from valve cover bolts???????

[crazybronco]

I was having a leak problem on my BII with 2.9L and so I replaced the valve cover gaskets. It was leaking down on to the exhaust and then smoking. After I installed the left side I fired it up and checked for leaks. With everything clean I could see oil pushing its way out around the valve cover bolts. What is up with that????
I pulled the bolts out, cleaned the bolts and holes real good, then reinstalled them with RTV around the bolts and hold downs. It seems to have stopped the problem, but why would it do this? Is there a oil galley near them? Or, could it have been oil down in the hole that was being forced out as the engine heated up?
I still need to do the other side, so I would like to know before I do it.
Any ideas?

 

[IMenriched]

Are your heads stock...or heavier aftermarket ones??

 

[crazybronco]

I am the second or third owner of this BII, but I never changed the heads and I see no signs that they were ever changed.
After thinking over night, I am leaning toward the oil stuck in the hole expanding with the heat and pushing it out.

 

[Cyberbeer]

Did you reinstall the spreaders when you replaced the gaskets? Is it a rubber gasket, and are you sure it seated correctly?

 

[crazybronco]

Yes, I replaced the spreaders and I made sure the gasket is installed right. It was not leaking out of the gasket, but leaking around the heads of the bolts, pushing past the threads. I don't know how deep the threads are, but they must have been filled with oil.
It was not a drip. it was under pressure. It was bubbling, pushing out.
I pulled it back off and cleaned the holes with carb cleaner and then used compressed air to clean and dry the holes. I applied a little RTV and now it is good. It had to be oil in the holes getting hot, expanding and the only path out was the threads. It was a small amount.
So, I guess to anyone replacing their valve cover gaskets, clean out the bolt holes.

Scott

 

[cckc135r]

I currently have 2 sets of 2.9 cyl. heads off the engine and while cleaning them I noted that over the center exhaust port where the V/C cover bolt goes in it actually goes all the way through to the port. So maybe exhaust pressure is what is pushing the oil out.....or I have 4 really junk cyl. heads.

Have a look there and if so, seal them up very well.