Leak at the Valve Cover Gasket (1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 engines)

In the Citroën engine range (especially the 1.6 16V and the 2.0 16VThe valve covers are made of plastic and use rubber gaskets to seal the oil circulating in the cylinder head.

• The Real Problem: Over the years and through cycles of heat and cold, the rubber gasket becomes “dried out” (turns into a hard plastic) and loses its sealing capacity. Oil begins to seep and leak down the back of the engine.
• The Smell of Burning: How the Exhaust Manifold It’s located right below the valve cover and operates at extremely high temperatures; every drop of oil that falls into it evaporates instantly, generating that light bluish smoke and the strong smell that the ventilation system pulls into the cabin.
• The Hidden Danger: The dripping oil can get into the sail housings. If the spark plugs become submerged in oil, the coil becomes overloaded and the car starts to malfunction (the famous “Defective Anti-Pollution System” error we saw in topic 73).

Solution:

1. Gasket Replacement: It’s a relatively simple service. The cover is removed, the surface is thoroughly cleaned, and a new gasket is installed.
2. Be careful with the lid.: In the engine 2.0 (C4 Pallas/VTR)The plastic lid itself can warp. In these cases, simply replacing the gasket won’t solve the problem; it’s necessary to replace the entire lid or use a higher-quality gasket with a little high-temperature silicone in the corners.

Safety Tip: If the leak is too strong, the oil can drip onto the cooling hoses, softening the rubber and causing them to rupture, which would lead to overheating.