I have a 1996 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2L, V6, 5 speed, 112K and the valve cover gaskets are leaking oil near the lower half of the cover(closest to the exhaust manifolds).

I removed the valve covers and there are little tabs on the inside of the valve covers near each of the valve cover bolts. When the valve cover is tightened, these tabs bottom out on the head before the valve cover gasket has had a chance to fully compress and make a tight seal.

Has anyone else ran into this, and what have you done to correct it? RTV sealant?

By the way the engine does not smoke or burn oil and seems to idle/run just fine. Thank you in advance for your help.

Seems silly to ask, but are you using new gaskets?

stock valve covers? new gasket?

if you remove the valve covers, then new gaskets are needed. what prompted you to remove the valve covers if it wasn't leaking--was it leaking before you removed the covers?

seem like dumb questions, just want ot get a full picture of what is going on.

I replaced the valve cover gaskets with new gaskets about 6 months ago because they were leaking in the same place at the bottom of the valve covers near the exhaust manifold.

Although I did not use any RTV sealant because of the package directions, I contacted Federal Mogul maker of Felpro Gaskets and asked about using RTV sealant on the gasket this time around. They advised me that using an RTV sealant around the perimeter of the valve cover gasket is not recommended or necessary(Note: it is still necessary at the edges of the camshaft towers).

They said that if the engine has excessive Blow-By it will force oil out of any seals or gaskets causing leaks at different points on the engine. Specifically they asked about the PCV valve and its condition.

After checking the PCV valve, I remembered a salesperson at the local auto parts store being out of the PCV valve for my vehicle, but he recommended using another type because "they are all pretty much the same."

Well the Federal Mogul rep was right. The airflow on the PCV valve was so minimal and it was so clogged with oil it was forcing oil out of the valve cover gaskets and also back out of the crankcase vent tube into the clean air intake.

So, I will replace the valve cover gaskets again and along with the PCV valve (with the correct PCV valve), and hopefully this will solve the leaky valve cover problem once and for all.

If there is anything else that I may have missed or anything else I should replace -- please advise.

Thanks again for quick replys to my post.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you got it figured out, including the RTV at the towers. Good luck.

good to know, thanks!