Thread: I've always wondered....

Inside our valve covers above the exhaust cam there is a metal plate. What is it's purpose? It seems like it would do nothing at all. I was looking at some old pics and saw it, so I thought I'd see what it's for.

I think that corresponds with the plastic vent stuck in goo on the underside of the valve cover, which is part of the crankcase ventilation. It probably keeps that vent from sucking up oil from the cams.

always wonderd that myself

Swiss, that plastic tube vents into the long baffle system on the top of the valve cover. The baffles act as an oil separator (and a good one at that). I doubt it needs more help keeping oil out, but that's just a guess.

I was totally wrong on the location anyway. I just looked at some old pictures, they aren't even close.

I'm glad you posted those pics so everyone can see for sure what it is I'm asking about. I just don't see it's purpose.

The metal thing is a part that has been mounted in the wrong place. It should be on the intake side of the motor under the oil cap.

It was designed to stop oil from splashing out if you ever open up the oil cap while the motor is running.

I remove them from every car that I do cams on.

I found it in the FSM, but no info. It isn't even labeled in most pictures. I found one that just calls it a baffle. It is right above the open end of the VC labyrinth. I still think it's to keep excess oil out of the crankcase ventilation.

weird cuz ive always seen mine on the exhaust side, lol

but either way i remove them as well when i do cams as well.

Yah, I remember now once thinking it was there to "spread" the oil out into both cam sections when you filled the engine with oil, but Dre's explanation makes way more sense.