Had the truck running just fine in -45, so your 'cold' weather it's not bad at all for these engines in the least, so your service writer is just blowing smoke up your butt. Can you give us more info on the way the covers are failing and exactly what engine you have. Your info shows a 2005, and a 5.9l gas, those two were never made together, so can you clarify.

 

I agree with Kurtis, something isn't right with the info that you've been given....

let us know what truck you have, the engine, etc.. perhaps someone will have an idea from there

Exco

 

my guess, wrong parts and torque are being used.

 

wasn't 2002 the last year for the 5.9 engine.

 

thanks all for responding I updated my engine type on my profile. I didn't realize that there was more to the list when I was registering my account. Anyway I think it's correct not however I don't know all that much about engines.

How to you tell which engine you have? It's a 2005 Dodge 1500 and the 8th letter in the vin is "J" if that helps.

Anyway the service writer is still clinging onto the "cold weather" theory. I don't buy it.

From what i'm being told is that the valve cover is either cracking or warping so the seal gets broken. Also in the past it's only been one cover to go. This time both went.

I appreciate any help I can get so if there is any more info that I can provide please let me know. I contacted Dodge and their response was "it's out of warranty" so good luck.

 

Sounds like they are over tightening the bolts. Do the next set yourself. Valve cover installation is not hard at all.

 

I don't think that's such a good idea if he didn't know which engine he had. I'd take it to a different shop, and buy different valve covers.

 

Do you have any pics of the valve covers? I'm very curious to see WHERE they are cracking because that would indicate where the stress points are and could lead to a much better answer.

 

I don't have pics but I will try to get some tomorrow.

Also I was doing more research and I found out that there may be a design flaw in the engine that I have which causes this to happen.

Or that the oil pump is causing too much pressure which blows the valve.

Has anyone heard anything like that before?

 

The only design flaw I could think of is one of the surfaces not being perfectly flat or the part is made of poor plastic. oil pressure blowing valve covers, highly doubt that. Does this engine have a PCV valve in good working order and are all the hoses in good condition? 99% of valve cover leaks are due to improper installation. Check the aftermarket and see if you can find some aluminum ones. Degrease the surfaces and apply a small thin bead of the proper sealant on the valve cover. Allow it to dry for a bit, to the point it is tacky.. Then install the valve covers by tightening the bolts in a criss/cross pattern slowly and evenly until you reach the proper torque. Put a small amount of blue loc-tite on the bolts prior to install. Get new bolts and use a flat washer if you can to spread the bolt's tension across a wider area to prevent stress cracks.

 

I have a hunch that your pcv valve is clogged and the crankcase is building pressure, causing the valve cover gaskets to leak. Repairing the seals and not fixing the clog will only temporary solve the issue.

This isn't certain, but with the info provided, this is my best guess. I can't imagine the valve covers just cracking for no reason, or them over tightening them so much the crack(months later).

There are two v8 engines that were available for your year truck. If it has one spark plug per cylinder, it's the 4.7L. If it has two spark plugs per cylinder, it's the 5.7L hemi. And if it says HEMI under the hood or on the fender, it's the 5.7L hemi. But if you had a hemi it would probably have the fender badge that says hemi, and you'd probably know that, so you probably have the 4.7L. Unless it is a v6.

 

I have a hunch that your pcv valve is clogged and the crankcase is building pressure, causing the valve cover gaskets to leak. Repairing the seals and not fixing the clog will only temporary solve the issue.

This isn't certain, but with the info provided, this is my best guess. I can't imagine the valve covers just cracking for no reason, or them over tightening them so much the crack(months later).

Thanks I hadn't though about this. I will ask the dealership about this.

There are two v8 engines that were available for your year truck. If it has one spark plug per cylinder, it's the 4.7L. If it has two spark plugs per cylinder, it's the 5.7L hemi. And if it says HEMI under the hood or on the fender, it's the 5.7L hemi. But if you had a hemi it would probably have the fender badge that says hemi, and you'd probably know that, so you probably have the 4.7L. Unless it is a v6.

I don't have a HEMI - I'm certain that it is the 4.7L engine. Thanks for clarifying this for me.

 

Again thanks all for your responses. I went back to the dealership this morning the pictures but they haven't removed them yet as they are still waiting for the replacements to come. The mechanic said that they weren't cracked but were warped to the constant heating an cooling. My response was that there were other areas in the country much colder than Colorado and that I was struggling to accept this as a cause. I've asked them to contact Dodge to get their input on this - to see if this problem is happening in other parts of the country.

It seems that the dealership is only interested in fixing the issue but not really solving the problem.

I've told them that I wanted the old covers and i will send pictures as soon as I can.