leaky valve cover

[houstonlayne]

can a leaky valve cover gasket cause the car to run a little rough?

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Houston,
With a PCV system any air introduced where it in not intended will upset the idle fuel/air mixture. 
Greg Surfas

[bcroe]

Some of the earlier valve covers just didn't keep the cork gaskets in place.  Might try some of that
blue gasket former instead of cork to stop the leaks.  Bruce Roe

[houstonlayne]

im going to replace the valve cover gaskets ..

RUBER or CORK ?

[TJ Hopland]

I have never really seen a clear winner in the rubber vs cork debate.   I have had success and failures with both.  Big thing is making sure the cover is straight especially around the bolt holes.   I have heard that some light taps with a ball peen hammer with them upside down in the bolt areas helps spread the pressure further away from the bolt holes.  Gonna try that next time I have to deal with a leaker.