Valve Cover Oil Leak

[egrasso58]

Hi everyone,

I'm still relatively new to being a Viper owner, and was hoping I can get some information here prior to bringing the car to a mechanic. I purchased a 2006 SRT-10 back in June in Chicago, and drove it cross country to New Jersey where I live (had it checked out by a Dodger Dealer Viper Tech prior to the drive to get the thumbs up). With the winter here and salt on the roads, I shut the car down and have had it sitting in the garage on a trickle charger. Yesterday I started the car up to let it run for a bit, and smelled burning oil. I pulled the car out and saw some oil drips on the ground, and it appears the leak is from the valve covers.

Is this a common problem, or could it be from the cold the cars been sitting through? From my understanding it was a Texas car until now, so not sure if the cars first exposure to Jersey cold has anything to do with it. I'm going to get it looked at and am hoping it's just a gasket that needs to be replaced, but any information here would certainly be appreciated!

Thank you,
Eric

[AZTVR]

Hi everyone,

I'm still relatively new to being a Viper owner, and was hoping I can get some information here prior to bringing the car to a mechanic. I purchased a 2006 SRT-10 back in June in Chicago, and drove it cross country to New Jersey where I live (had it checked out by a Dodger Dealer Viper Tech prior to the drive to get the thumbs up). With the winter here and salt on the roads, I shut the car down and have had it sitting in the garage on a trickle charger. Yesterday I started the car up to let it run for a bit, and smelled burning oil. I pulled the car out and saw some oil drips on the ground, and it appears the leak is from the valve covers.

Is this a common problem, or could it be from the cold the cars been sitting through? From my understanding it was a Texas car until now, so not sure if the cars first exposure to Jersey cold has anything to do with it. I'm going to get it looked at and am hoping it's just a gasket that needs to be replaced, but any information here would certainly be appreciated!

Thank you,
Eric



First thing that I would do is check the tightness of the valve cover bolts. They are supposed to be 95 in lb ( 8ft lb) which is just "snug". There is a recommended tightening sequence when installing.
30171

[egrasso58]

Great! I will try this first. Thank you!!

[Steve-Indy]

Next, look at oil cooler lines as the fittings commonly leak until you go with aftermarket lines and fittings.

[8400cc]

First thing that I would do is check the tightness of the valve cover bolts. They are supposed to be 95 in lb ( 8ft lb) which is just "snug". There is a recommended tightening sequence when installing.
30171

Can anybody confirm if this is the same sequence and torque spec for the Gen 5

[AZTVR]

Can anybody confirm if this is the same sequence and torque spec for the Gen 5

I don't have a Gen 5 manual; but, I can confirm that sequence and torque changed from Gen 3 to Gen 4 when they changed the covers to have individual coils for each cylinder mounted onto the head covers. Gen 5 head covers/valve covers are very similar visually to Gen 4.