I found the nuts/bolts were loose on the valve covers today while changing plug wires. A couple of them I could even spin with my fingers (yikes!) There is a plastic guide that holds the plug wires in place on the back nut of the valve cover on each side, how do I remove the plastic wire retainer so I can torque the bolt down?

I gave it a good pull, but was afraid I would snap it off (like i did the breather last weekend). Secondly, there is a good chance this is why oil mysteriously disappears right? It never hits the driveway or the tailpipe..

 

Did you try un-screwing the plastic retainers?
When you snapped the breather did you remove the valve cover to replace?

Have you looked into your throttle body for signs of oil?- Common issue that the plenum gasket blows and oil bypasses not showing on plugs/exhaust. I recomend upgrading the plenum cover via hughes and never have to worry again- http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=22220

 

Yea I tried to unscrew, but didn't give it much force.
No I did not remove the valve cover when I snapped the breather, instead I broke off the plastic ring enough to let it drop into the cover, then I tore the grommet to get it out and then pulled the breather out.

I will check the throttle body out, and the plenum gasket you linked.

 

The grommet and breather elbow are dealer parts only.

 

he already replaced thos, this is a nother issue

 

I will try again this weekend, and update then. The D drinks oil, so I am going to try and tighten the valve covers down first, and if that doesn't help I may have to replace the plenum gasket as advised above.

 

I must be lost.....LOL