Not even a week after we replaced the vc I wake up to a half dollar and dime size oil spot this morning.

It couldnt have already started could it?

 

You have to trace where that recent leak came from.

If its coming from the VC, then probably you didn't tighten them in the correct pattern or you didn't put enough sealant in the crucial places (which you would have to look up in the How-to stickies).

 

nah we had the step by step how to on what to do.

and i think i jumped the gun a little. what was "leaking" was way too liquidy to be straight oil. i think what happened was water from the ac dripped down onto some oil that was already in the garage and made it look like fresh oil

 

yup, its official. still got an oil leak after the replacement.

sure as hell don't feel like taking everything apart again. any ideas?

 

Did you clean the gasket surface on the head thoroughly? Check the drain plug, oil cooler. Spray brake clean and clean it all up then drive around a few days and find out exactly where its coming from...

 

yeah we cleaned it good. the guy who helped me is very meticulous about that kinda stuff since he races and works on his miata every weekend!

also, from the time i initially made this thread it stopped leaking. and now it has up and started again.

 

^
By valve cover you mean this thing?



I followed this guide http://www.cardomain.com/ride/694281...axima/page-13/ and used tiny bits of RTV black on the corners and in the middle... I also bought the Gen 6 ones (front/rear)

 

yup. and i also got 6th gen ones. we didn't follow that guide, but the other one thats floating around to the T

 

yeah maybe try reinstalling and use something like rtv... I really like it, used it for the oil pan too and zero leaks

 

^^ yo i did this job on my 3.0 a few months ago and it was pretty straight fwd,main thing is use some sort of sealant on all four corners(crucial places to others) And DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.

blackbeasst looks like you and your buddy will be doing the job over again(but like my Dad used to say "Oh you've done it ones,now it should be half's difficult"
Btw,
Do not reuse ANY
gaskets.

 

im starting to think something else is causing it to start to leak. what i just found out looking at some paperwork when i bought the car back in july was that the previous owner had it done as well back september 2012. so what are the chances of it happening twice in 12 months?

 

Just read up on rear main seal the rear should be the culprit of you leak if its not the vc...also check crankshaft pos sensor those trend to leak and burn alternators...