What are the hidden dangers of replacing the valve cover with aluminum alloy?
2 Answers
The hidden danger of replacing the valve cover with aluminum alloy is its inability to withstand high temperatures. The following is a related introduction to the valve cover: 1. Function: The main function of the valve cover is to protect the engine camshaft, while forming an approximately enclosed cavity with the cylinder head, which has oil return and supply passages connected to the cavity. The valve cover can effectively prevent dust from contaminating the engine oil or entering and accelerating the wear of the valve train components. 2. Definition: The valve cover is mainly connected to the engine's cylinder head. The camshaft is installed below the valve cover, along with some intake mechanism accessories on the cylinder head, to ensure the normal operation, lubrication, protection, and dust prevention of the engine's valve drive mechanism.
Switching to an aluminum valve cover indeed hides many risks. I remember a friend who DIY-installed an aluminum cover, thinking it would enhance performance through weight reduction, but after a few months, the engine bay was covered in oil. Aluminum has a much higher thermal expansion coefficient than the original plastic, causing severe deformation of the cover at high temperatures, which prevented the gasket from sealing tightly, leading to oil leakage through the gaps. Oil leakage is no trivial matter; oil dripping onto the exhaust pipe or other hot components can cause fires, smoke, or even destroy the entire engine. Later, he had to spend thousands at the repair shop to clean the oil stains and replace the sealing components—truly a case of the cure being worse than the disease. I advise car owners who really want to switch to aluminum parts to choose those certified by the original manufacturer to ensure material and design compatibility. Otherwise, the risks are too great, especially over long-term use, where hidden dangers become even more alarming.
