Are these common problems among Protege5 (valve cover leak, roof rack crack) withpics

[MaxRX7]

I have two issues on my P5 and want to know if it is just my car or is it common among Proteges.

Background: I'm the original owner and the car only has 45k miles. I've switch to Mobil 1 5w30 Synthetic oil since 30k miles (only thing I can think that could caused the leak on beneath the valve cover). It's a Miami car so the heat and effect from the sun ain't helping the plastic roof rack. My concern is that rust may form underneath.

So my question is how can I go about fixing the leak, is it a problem with the gasket that needs to be replaced, or can I just use that silicon gasket maker material or is there something else that causes this leak.


I'll post pics soon, some reason I cannot attach them

 

[MaxRX7]

 

[MaxRX7]

 

[MaxRX7]

 

[DarkAngel]

As far as the valve cover leak, common for anyone that owns a car really. Just replace the gasket and tighten accordingly. The roof rack plastic, my brother bought his P5 brand new in 2001 ( 2002 P5 ) and has not experienced that cracking at all but then again he has never mounted anything on the racks at all. That may have caused the cracking on the bar but not the cover. That would be my guess.

 

[bigpturgeon]

just replace the gasket its easy to do. but to me it looks like someone spilt some oil when putting it in

 

[sneakypete]

My roof rack is cracked in the same place. I bought the car with about 80k miles, so I don't know how much the previous owner used it (if at all). It sort of sucks though.

 

[DarkAngel]

You do have a point and I was going to mention the same. Looks like the stain is all the way from the top. Hey it could be as easy as a leaky oil cap as well. The rubber does wear out also.

 

[MaxRX7]

Thanks for the replies so far. I forgot to mention. While the oil cap does seem to let oil seep out from the top, (it is difficult to snap good quality pics) showing oil seeping from like 3 different places underneath the valve cover. so looks like I have a project in replacing that VC gasket and might as well paint the VC while I'm at it.

I've never used the roof rack, so this has to be weather damage and/or cheap plastic.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

You do have a point and I was going to mention the same. Looks like the stain is all the way from the top. Hey it could be as easy as a leaky oil cap as well. The rubber does wear out also.

^this. I had the same problem, and a new oil cap resolved it.

 

[DirtyJack]

No leaks.No cracks.Same oil,close mileage and I'm in Tampa so the sun's similar.My roof rack looks good,but I wish it wasn't there.Good luck.

 

[mexicansoljah81]

I have two issues on my P5 and want to know if it is just my car or is it common among Proteges.

Background: I'm the original owner and the car only has 45k miles. I've switch to Mobil 1 5w30 Synthetic oil since 30k miles (only thing I can think that could caused the leak on beneath the valve cover). It's a Miami car so the heat and effect from the sun ain't helping the plastic roof rack. My concern is that rust may form underneath.

So my question is how can I go about fixing the leak, is it a problem with the gasket that needs to be replaced, or can I just use that silicon gasket maker material or is there something else that causes this leak.


I'll post pics soon, some reason I cannot attach them

i have a 2003 protege5, i thought my oil filter was the cause of a leak i am concerned about. Turns out it might not, i replaced it. and gave it an oil change, when i already did one two weeks ago. The leak is still there, so its somewhere near it, above it, left or right of it, or maybe under it. What is near it that it can be. With only the OEM jack i an unable to really see under it. I dont want to have to pay for a mechanic to lift it and give it a leak test. with whatever they do to the cars or add to them. Anyone else have this issue? or had it and found out what it was and fixed it. I do know that it seems like oil leaking, but still puzzled if it is or transmission fluid. I have a manual 5 speed tranny.

 

[tweety2300]

Oil pressure sensor or knock sensor