It started very slow. I even drove 1600 miles thru RFTH and leak didn't reach the floor (for me to notice). Then in the next maybe 200 miles I saw a drop at the floor. Looked closely and seems like valve cover as it was wet at the bottom. Cleaned everything, drove again and there were other drops that run down the block then to the top of compressor and then the floor. Then I had the car parked working on the A/C manifold hose. Nothing touched in the engine. Overnight I had this mess
This is happening at both, front and back. I used new plain ZZP VC gaskets and didn't overtight anything. So is there any trick to avoid this mess? I can't drive this thing like this

I always use the OEM gasket. I take the rubber seal, clean, clean clean,all the oil from the gasket, valve cover and the head. Put a latex glove on, squeeze a small amount of rtv in my fingers and run the gasket through rtv. I leave just enough rtv on the seal so that its tacky. I've never had one leak doing it this way and it can still all be removed without leaving a mess behind.

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Turbo 3800 E85 5spd spec5
11.53@126.7

vent the engine, pressure build-up will cause leaks.
Just another thought for ya.

quote Originally posted by revin: vent the engine, pressure build-up will cause leaks. Just another thought for ya.

How? Looking for suggestions. Tks

replace the oil cap with a breather. they pop in.

quote Originally posted by revin: vent the engine, pressure build-up will cause leaks. Just another thought for ya.

Wouldn't that mean that the PCV is plugged? I guess that assumes that you didn't remove it...

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-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread
Removing the roof panel

I think I got crappy gaskets. Look at this.

Here it is where it is leaking. The gasket went flat.




This is the other side which kept the shape to seal.

I am just going by what I have been told a while back. I am sure someone will jump in here and tell me I am wrong, if I am.

I do remember hearing that the orange valve cover gasket are the bad ones. I think mine are blue ones now.

It's imperative that you also replace the grommets that are underneath the valve cover fasteners. Replacing only the gasket isn't enough.

I can see defects in that gasket. Get a blue permetex set.

On a side note you need to plug you AC comepressor/add the lines or it will be trashed from driving with it exposed.....That is it is not all ready trashed from road trash getting in it..

I have seen alot of leaks from the VC but not to that extent...Looks like you have somthing in the PCV not right and pressure is building up and pushing the oil out the weakest point. The PCV system in the 3800 has never been the best IMO. I had the same issue a few weaks back but the leak came thru my LIM(I has reused it several times) . I removed my VC breather a while back and I think this caused my issue. I am still running a modded LIM for the older style ZZP IC so my PCV system is not the correct setup I beleive....

Be advised that some 3800SC engines also suffer oil seepage that can be seen at the edges of the head gaskets. Your leak appears to be at the valve cover but I would not overlook the other area.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, ZZP Intercooler, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

quote Originally posted by MstangsBware: On a side note you need to plug you AC comepressor/add the lines or it will be trashed from driving with it exposed.....That is it is not all ready trashed from road trash getting in it.. ....

Thanks but that has been covered all the time. I was just going to install the new A/C hose when I got into this. Much easier to work there without it. Hopefully once done with that I can finish my A/C system.

So where exactly is the PCV? This is how I have this hooked up. Is it wrong? Tks

quote Originally posted by L67:

??

you pvc is under there.

Alex, also make sure your covers are not cracked I have seen some come in that were over tite and had a small hairline crack in them.
they only get set to something like 10NM.
D.

I only use Fel Pro gaskets myself. If there is a problem area I use ' The Right Stuff ' , its a black RTV sealant in auto parts stores. Most manufacturers these days dont even use gaskets at all. I seldom see one on a valve cover, oil pan, trans pan at all now. I dont even know if theres a head gasket on my Sebring.

Thanks all for the replies. There are no cracks on the VCs. After removing the gaskets seems obvious they were crap. I should have known better from the beginning. I didn't like them too much when I got them. I just got some new GM ones and replaced them already. I was afraid I needed to remove the whole ALT bracket but only needed to wiggle it a little to get the front one out. Will see how they do in a month. The old ones leaked only after about 2k miles. Now to try to finish the A/C...

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: I dont even know if theres a head gasket on my Sebring.

There is. I have only heard of one engine that didn't use head gaskets, can't remember which one, but I believe it was german.