rocker cover gaskets

[BrokenBiker]

yep, you've guessed it, the megane is spewing oil onto the exhaust manifold, form the rocker cover.

it is a 2 part cover, one large main cover, and then like an inspection hatch at the back. it is this smaller hatch where it is leaking. I saw it with the engine assembled, so took this bit off and to my surprise (not really) there is no gasket at all, just metal on metal, and both look like they have had a roughing pass on the mill and no more (surprised it has waited til now to leak).

anyway, looking on euro car parts I notice they don't list any rocker cover gaskets, just tubes of that horrible blue gasket paste, think this brand is insta-gasket or something similarly descriptive.

I hate using this stuff, does anyone know if they actually do make rubber gaskets (or even cork if I have to)?

 

[Sidewinder]

Just make your own gasket?

 

[AndyStobbs]

Just because euro don't list it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
The rtv sealant is very effective when used correctly.

 

[zzr1200]

A large tube of sillycoon gasket, I agree with you regarding the lack of proper gaskets but the designers allegedly know best these days...

 

[doubleboost]

Just because euro don't list it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
The rtv sealant is very effective when used correctly.

Just because euro don't list it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
The rtv sealant is very effective when used correctly.

A large tube of sillycoon gasket, I agree with you regarding the lack of proper gaskets but the designers allegedly know best these days...

Clean & dry good quality RTV should be no problem
Most things are face to face now
Make sure all the engine breathers are clear

 

[BrokenBiker]

got a tube of Loctite grey silicon gasket maker off a mate, gonna use that. all breathers are clear, blew down them all and seem fine.

I think the plate on top is slightly warped, not sure if that will account for the leak, or if its meant to be so it is pulled tight when the bolts are in. either way I think it would have been a better idea to use a gasket in the first place

 

[steviec_lj]

Rocker cover isn't under pressure so shouldn't need a gasket as such.

The tube of sealant is used widely across manufacturers.

The Passat I've got uses it for the sump, as did a Mazda6, and that's just off the top of my head.

 

[Simon-]

sensor safe sealant. Silicone damages 02 sensors!

 

[BrokenBiker]

Rocker cover isn't under pressure so shouldn't need a gasket as such.

its under enough pressure for the oil to come out at a fair speed, its covered the bulkhead

sensor safe sealant. Silicone damages 02 sensors!

is there an o2 sensor in the rocker cover?

 

[Simon-]

its under enough pressure for the oil to come out at a fair speed, its covered the bulkhead



is there an o2 sensor in the rocker cover?

no but in the manifold/cat just downstream.

Oxygen sensors are easily contaminated by anti-freeze (such as by a blown head gasket) or the silicon fumes emitted by RTV (such as from a repair or rebuild operation)

Read more: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0407phr_bosch_oxygen_sensor_tech/?__federated=1#ixzz3CYiV8yxY

 

[TAITSIE]

Clean & dry good quality RTV should be no problem
Most things are face to face now
Make sure all the engine breathers are clear

What he said
I hate using sealant but there are times when its the only option

 

[The Devils Reject]

A lot of manufacturers don't use gaskets on assembly any more.

Land Rover didn't fit any sort of gasket to the sump on the 300tdi engine. Just gallons of silicon sealant.

 

[BrokenBiker]

well light has faded now, got it all stripped and put a bit of plate over the hole in rocker cover to stop moisture getting in, will finish in the morning and see how it goes

 

[brightspark]

well light has faded now, got it all stripped and put a bit of plate over the hole in rocker cover to stop moisture getting in, will finish in the morning and see how it goes

err havent u got lights where u live and being an electrician

 

[pedrobedro]

A lot of manufacturers don't use gaskets on assembly any more.

Land Rover didn't fit any sort of gasket to the sump on the 300tdi engine. Just gallons of silicon sealant.

And we all know how Land Rovers never leak oil don't we

 

[Robotstar5]

A lot of manufacturers don't use gaskets on assembly any more.

Land Rover didn't fit any sort of gasket to the sump on the 300tdi engine. Just gallons of silicon sealant.

We had a little X-Y "robot" that put the sealant bead onto the K series heads to seal the rocker cover.

 

[wookie]

And we all know how Land Rovers never leak oil don't we

Actually if they leaked a bit more then perhaps the rear cross member wouldn't rust away

 

[Robotstar5]

Actually if they leaked a bit more then perhaps the rear cross member wouldn't rust away

Extend the rocker cover breather to the rear Xmember?

 

[Rig Pig]

check the crank case vent valve isn't blocked or knackerd, I'm not familiar with your engine but a BMW my wife had a few years ago has a valve assembly on top of the cam cover that failed. The lines were all clear but the valve was stuck closed

 

[BrokenBiker]

right. update. got it all apart yesterday, got it clean and dry, went out this morning, made sure it was clean and dry again, put a nice healthy bead of the gasket paste all around, went around bolt holes too, assembled and torqued down correctly, allowed it to settle and go off and then went out for a calm drive. got home after a few miles drive and it leaked again, in exactly the same place. I don't have enough gasket paste left to redo it again. cant understand why it has started now, all breathers are clear, there is no damage on any of the castings or mating faces, all bolts are ok an tight, but i can see the oil coming out below the mounts for inlet manifold, and dripping straight onto the exhaust