[David Boldi]

While changing the oil on my '96 with 85k miles, I wiped under the valve cover where the oil is added and found alot of a tar/sludge like substance. Is this normal, or was the previous owner not changing the oil frequently?

 

[Peterson]

You need to replace your valve cover gasket. Around $15 from the dealership...pretty easy to do. If you have a Haynes manual, it will walk you through it....

When you do the gasket, get both, one goes around the valve cover and one goes around the spark plugs.

 

[David Boldi]

This tar/sludge is inside on the valve cover. I stuck my finger inside through the oil fill hole and wiped the top. The outside of the valve cover is clean. There is no leakage.

 

[shabu]

I spotted the same thing and my mechanic said it was from using penzoil/quaker state. I'm not sure I buy that, but that was his opinion.

 

[Peterson]

Pull the cover off, clean it, put a new gasket on, and maybe switch oils.

 

[ALTIMADAN]

This tar/sludge is inside on the valve cover. I stuck my finger inside through the oil fill hole and wiped the top. The outside of the valve cover is clean. There is no leakage.

Hey I have an idea. Run yur car for three or four hours and then stick yur finger in there! better yet just lay yur hand on the valve cover.

 

[atakm]

could it be RTV sealant around the front/rear of the camshafts area? That stuff looks black and sludgy too, but it's supposed to be there.