Howdy! Come watch me polish a turd.

Thanks looks like the closest one is like 50 miles away. FB and OfferUp it is!

 

I have so much love to give

 

I dont see nothing wrong there ??

 

Ok so one thing that’s holding me up is I want to make sure there’s nothing leaking from the back of the engine, but there’s so much oil all over everything it’s hard to get a good eye on it. The steering rack bushings were a colossal pain in the ass, I kept dropping tools on my face because there was so much oil everywhere. Anyway, how common are rear main seal leaks and such? I don’t want to pull this bad boy apart and then need to do it again because I missed something. I spray everything down with simple green and power wash it, but I can’t do it with the engine running since it just makes it worse. I don’t need to worry about anything below the valve covers getting wet as long as I’m using a 40 degree nozzle, right?

 

Rear main seal failures aren't common at all. You said your valve covers were leaking? If bet dollars to pesos that's your problem.

 

I mean it’s PISSING oil while it’s running. Valve covers are first on the list and I’ll see where that gets me, but for some reason it seems like way too much for just that, but I’m new to any kind of issues like this.

 

Clean up the back of the heads and block as best you can. That'll get you pointed in the right direction.

 

Alright halfway through the first half. Are these fel pro gaskets decent or should I hit the dealership on the way to work tomorrow?
Looks like the bottom front corner is our culprit, but like everyone else some of the bolts were less than finger tight.

 

FelPro is about the only other company I'd trust.

Yeah, leaking from corners, be sure to hit all surfaces with Brakleen after you clean out the old sealant, to remove any oil residues, before FIPG.

Someone else has potentially been in there before, the half-moons at the back of the head look like someone have a wrench on them (normal).

You have FIPG already, and plan to do the half-moons, right?

Be sure to check for random little bits of FIPG down in the head before you put the cover back on (and probably before FIPG).

Having a larger sized socket makes it easier to drive in the spark plug tube seals, be sure to install the correct way, the inner ring's ridge I believe faces toward you (will be pointing down in toward the engine).

You went with the easy side first, I see

 

Yep have FIPG in hand and am planning on doing the half moons. Just got it all cleaned out and ready to install but will save that for another day.
I just did the side the guy on YouTube did first, I didn’t even know there was an easy side. I’m very comfortable working on cars so I’m not too worried about it, you guys just have a granular knowledge about these things I’ve never seen before so I’m asking a billion questions.

 

No prob.

Other side is more difficult, more shit in the way. Dipstick tube, evap/fuel hoses, etc. But at least you have a “pull handle” with the oil filler tube. Consider zip-tying any obstructive lines out of the way so you have a clear path of exit and entry. I don’t even bother disconnecting the coil packs, just unbolt, slide out of the tube and lay on the intake, install the bolt back in the cover so it’s not lost. One less plastic harness clip to break.

 

Cool thanks for the tips man. I’m going to poke at this thing on my lunch breaks so it’ll be slow going but damn it’s nice working on something I don’t need to drive to work in the morning.