Valve cover leaking - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Try replacing the valve cover gasket. If the valve cover gasket still leaks oil after replacement try adding standard 1/4 lock washers to the top of the valve cover bolts. I have a 2005 Suzuki Reno and had to replace the valve cover gasket several times. Adding the washers tightened the seal of the gasket and prevented any leaking,

Replace the valve cover gasket and use black RTV to seal it.

A vertical cover...I had to ponder that a bit. Still not sure. The valve cover sits flat on top of the cylinder head, with a gasket between them. The cylinder head is where your spark plugs are threaded in. The valve cover rests on top of the cylinder head. It's about 14-18 inches long and about 4 inches high, kind of rounded over so the valves and valve train will fit underneath. A gasket leaking motor oil is very common there, as a lot of oil is directed there and then splashed around to lubricate the valve train. The oil is supposed to drain through engine passages on down to the oil sump- the bottom of engine where oil is kept in the oil pan.

So if you have an oil leak, and it turns out it is the valve cover that is leaking, it's an easy fix-one of the easiest gasket replacements there is.

I had the same problem on my 97 tracker. had to use liquid silicone gasket in conjunction with new gasket. No leaks now.

Follow the detailed procedure mentioned in the link below to remove replace VALVE cover:----
Click the link below:---
VALVE COVER GASKET REMOVAL GUIDE http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/valve-cover-gasket-removal-guide.html

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For more help on these issues,check the link below:---
Car oil leaks from valve cover gasket? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-oil-leaks-from-valve-cover-gasket.html

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Lexus RX: Tapping noise under Valve Cover At Low RPM? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/lexus-rx-tapping-noise-under-valve.html
---------- How to replace Timing Belt,Water pump And Valve Guides on Mitsubishi Montero http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-replace-timing-beltwater-pump.html

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2000 Toyota Solara: Valve Cover Gasket Replacing? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2000-toyota-solara-valve-cover-gasket.html

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Valve Cover Keeps Cracking? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/valve-cover-keeps-cracking.html

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These details will help.
Thanks.

your valve cover gasket is leaking. well the tube gasket is leaking. those are i beleive part of the valve cover so you will have to replace the whole valve cover assembly and the gasket that goes around the valve cover.

Could the smoke be coming from the exhaust manifold on the passenger side of the engine? When the valve cover starts to leak, it is common for the oil to leak down and burn on the outside of the exhaust manifold.
Replacing a valve cover gasket is not difficult or expensive, and it is common for BMW valve cover gaskets to get brittle and shrink and start leaking every 10 years or so. My wife's 330 needed a new valve cover gasket at 6 years.

Back?? where?? maybe its the back of the intake manifold, not the valve covers. Very common leak area.

All BMW V8 motor have leak oil problem on bad gasket in valve cover. When remove plastic cover where is "BMW" in to camshaft &valve cover,its leak visible where is ignition coil on sparkplugs.

Oil leak can be attributed to several factors.
1. Gasket failure.
2. Uncontrolled Crank case pressure Failure.

RECOMENDATION:
Tighten both the valve cover and oil pan bolts.
Replace the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve and vacuum line.,

INFO: PCV
This is a valve causes a negative vacuum on the engine while its running, As to say if it had a leak in a valve cover it should not be leaking while its running, only when the engine it turned off.

Hope this tip guides you in the correct direction to solve this problem.

R/
David