Hole in Valve Cover

[dvhbird]

Has this happened to anyone else? I noticed an oil spot on the garage floor under the engine. Upon further inspection, I saw that the hose clamp on the bottom of the power steering reservoir had been positioned incorrectly. The tang on the clamp has been rubbing on the valve cover and wore a hole in it. Check your clamps and make sure this doesn't happen to you!

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

I thought this was worth checking and what I found on my 02 is the clamp in the same position but with about 3/8th inch clearance to the valve cover. I see from your
photo a indent in your oil dip stick tube that shouldn't be there. Was the car ever hit
or did you have any work done in that area.

[dvhbird]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Thanks John! I saw the dent too and wondered if they were all that way. We have only had the car since last summer, so don't know the past history on it. I haven't seen anything so far that indicates that it has been wrecked, and this is the first time we have had any work done on it other than an oil change.

[5bird7]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

thanks for the excellent photos. Will go out and check ours tomorrow.

[Wheats]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

FYI,i just ran down and checked mine and the clamp is at least 3/4" from valve cover.

[Chuck]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

I put a reminder in my calendar to go check in the spring (if it ever gets here) to see if mine have the problem - thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention

[FritsB]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Great images and info Doug. Will check mine also.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Checked mine. I can see at least 3/4 to 1 inch space between the clamp tabs and the valve cover. And the oil dip stick tube is smooth with no dents.

[Leroy]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

My question is, can the hole be repaired or will you have to replace the valve cover? Leroy

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[Swalker]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

A little epoxy should do fine.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Guess it's better than a hole in your head.

[Rondor]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Interesting situatiom. Thamks for pic's, like everbody else I have a fair amount of clearance. Be interesting to hear any other discoveries in that area. A tech could have accidently dropped something or had a pry bar slip but whatever it doesn't appear it came that way from FORD Please keep us posted

[dvhbird]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Thanks everyone for your responses. I decided to have the valve cover replaced. I'm sure it would have been cheaper to try to epoxy the hole, but I wanted it to look like new (must be my OCD tendencies taking over again!!). It's in the shop right now waiting for parts. I'm curious why all the other Birds seem to have more clearance in that area than mine does... will have to look closer for evidence of being wrecked in the past. Thanks again!

[steelblue5505]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Doug,
Having seen your car. Been under the hood. Worked on the SPL lights with you and taken apart the passenger door with you I don't think your car has ever been involved in an accident. What I think is that sometime in your car's life someone did some work on the power steering and in the process did not get the clamps back correctly as well when attempting to remove the PS fluid tank damaged the dip stick tube.

If your car had been hit I think we would see more repair to more damaged areas on the driver's side inner fender and other places under the hood. Even possible covered over scratches & the like up along the shock tower. I don't recall seeing anything out out the norm in those areas.

[dvhbird]

Re: Hole in Valve Cover

Thanks Mike... you have been a great source of help and encouragement!