I've had a slight oil leak for probably the last 20k miles, and I mean slight. Passanger valve cover is leaking onto the exhaust manifold and burning off. No oil on my driveway or anywhere I park. I can go between oil changes (3000 miles) without adding any oil. Still reads close to full by the oil change. I still keep an eye on it and check it weekly. So would it be worth fixing it now or wait till I have to start adding oil between changes? I know its not going to get better, but it doesnt seem like its gotten any worse.

 

I would, I hate the smell of oil cooking on an exhaust manifold.

 

I can't say it's a pleasant smell. Its really the first 5 min of driving in the morning after the car sits overnight and leaks a little. Aside from smell, is this something that should be fixed urgent? Is it a fire hazard? It's getting fixed eventually, I'd just rather wait till I hit the 100k maintanence point when it's time to do spark plugs. I'm at 91k now

 

Since you asked us, my recommendation is to fix the valve cover gasket now! Why wait? It will only get worse every day you drive your G! Only thing worse than oil leaks are oil leaks, they never go away until the reason for their existence is fixed!
Gary

 

that would drive me nuts, i would fix it

 

If it decides to get worse it could become a fire hazard. A previous car that I owned was recalled for exactly that. I wouldn't risk it personally, and as others have mentioned the smell would annoy me.

 

Just change your valve cover gaskets and spark plugs a little early and do them both now.

 

+1. Would be wiser to replace sparkplugs later than the other way around. A set of plugs should run you no more than 60$.

 

Haven't been on the boards in forever. Fix it or sell it.

 

Reviving my old thread because I didn't want to make a new one. Does it make sense to replace the valve covers since I'll be doing the gasket anyway? I know they're known for the tube seals going bad also. The passenger side looks like a PITA so I was thinking about replacing the VC & gasket for extra measure. I was going to do the spark plugs at the same time so not sure if any plugs are leaking oil or not. Just hesitant to spend close to $400 on new valve covers. My mechanic quoted me a little over $400 so he's definitely using aftermarket covers. I plan on doing the job myself

 

I would. Just did this a few weekends ago as my #6 spark plug tube was leaking slightly.

It was actually no problem. The passenger side wasn't even what I'd call a PITA.
Upper Plenum, lower collector, unplug harness, remove coils, remove VC's. It helps to have another pair of hands to hold things out of the way when you're putting the VC's back on. A small dab of Ultra Grey to hold the gasket in.

Plus you get to take a look (and pics) of the top end, cams, double check lifter clearances and do some cleaning you do not normally have access too.

 

You can also drill out the existing spark plug well seals and replace them individually if you have access to a drill press and holesaws, I think it took a 1_ 3/16th holesaw but you can Google it. I went that route because spark plug well seals are only $25 and a bottle of permatex ultra grey is $8 and I keep my OEM valve covers.

 

It looks like there's a butt load of plugs(LOL). Besides the coil packs, is each plug a different connection so you can't connect things wrong putting the harness back together?

 

There is a specific way that they go connected, but the ignition coils themselves are all the same. The first time I did mine I took pictures before I removed them for reference later.

 

There aren't that many plugs, just label them. If the wiring harness is still in its original location than the length of the wires is also an indicator. If the spark plug cylinders don't have oil in them, than you don't have to replace the valve covers yet. The gasket alone should be an easy job.