599 Leaking Oil - both Valve Cover gaskets are starting to leak

Try tightening the valve cover bolts. Your mileage may vary but you'll be surprised how effective that simple procedure can be in stopping oil seeping out of the valve cover. In my case (456GT) some of the bolts were barely hand-tight.

As for the spark plugs, the top of the engine certainly doesn't need to be off to replace them: the skill required to replace a set of spark plugs is very minimal and if you know how to change a light bulb you probably change the spark plugs yourself. Ferrari or not, in the end it's just an engine.

 

Hmm, from the look of the top of the engine, quite a bit of stuff has to come out to get to the valve covers. I think the 2 full days may be excessive but I can easily see one whole day for very sure.

 

That's a good tip, however, if this is a rubber gasket and the cover has positive stops, that's not going to help. But, I don't know the specifics of the 599 motor.

 

I replaced the variator solenoids on both banks because oil was seeping through the wiring connectors. Valve covers had to come off. Lots of stuff had to come off first. 12 hour job by 599 factory trained technician. ‘09 599 with 16K miles.

 

Why don't you go to a well know private shop, likely be a lot cheaper for the hourly rate!

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Here is the guy you need:

Matt Burns
(954) 328-2089

[email protected]


Exotic Performance Engineering
10788 SW 188th Street
Miami, FL 33157

 

315 Michelins will work w/o any problem.

 

Affirmative, lots of folks running MPSS tires in 315/35 20. Unfortunately, the MPSS replacement, the Pilot Port 4S, is not available in 305/35 20 or 315/35 20.

 

My totally trusted indy technician's billed time to r/r the intake manifold on the 456GT = 3 hours - actually I've seen him do it and it isn't rocket science. Replacing the valve cover gaskets can't take that much longer. Just sayin'

 

It may not be rocket science but it requires a high attention to detail like many other things Ferrari. So few lack that simple ability to pay attention at your expense. Unfortunately, often ineptness allows the inept to charge you to fix their mistake.

 

The variator solenoids are part of the system that adjusts the valve timing. There is one for each cam. They were about $630 each. I run 315s on rear of my 599

 

Don't do that.

 

If they are leaking, replace them.

It's a pretty involved job, count on a full day if the tech has done it before. Fitting the cover without disturbing the gasket as it goes under the cowel, is a trick because of the 1/2 moon portion of the gasket that can catch on the rear most cam caps and displace the gasket. If not careful the job will have to be done again.

It's a fiddly job the does require some patients and a bit of forethought. Don't add stop leak. It will not help. The gasket has gone hard and turned to almost plastic.

 

Seep or leak? Will it wet your finger or just grime it? Anything on floor? No oil burning smell? How much have you lost?
Oil is cheap.
Most gaskets will seep a little over time, particularly at low spots.
If you clean it off with a rag, how long does it take to come back enough to wet a finger?
Again, oil is cheap.
That two grand will epoxy paint the garage floor. You can wipe off a small oil spot weekly.
Is it getting on a wiring junction and causing electrical issues?
Oil is cheap.

 

The problem is, the oil will leak on to the exhaust and create a smell and a bit of smoke, which will get into the cabin. Because of the high under good temps, the rubber will get brittle and hard. The leak will only get worse along with the smell and smoke. If allowed to get bad enough..it could become a fire hazard. Also consider the mess it will make of the underside of the engine..never mind the garage floor.

 

You both make very good points. How many Ferrari's seep a tad bit of oil? Most probably would not be an over statement. The amount and location will likely dictate the action plan.