NO SEAL ON ROCKER COVER

Hi Guys

I took my rocker cover off to clean it and replace the gasket(cork). I have cleaned it all up, but just cant get a seal. Ive tried it loose (hand tight) at first and then nipped it up to snug, but the back passenger side keeps dripping oil. Im finding it hard to get hold of a torque wrench that goes down to 7 ft lbs without spending £80 to tighten 8 nuts.

I also tried some sealant today, good stuff, but no joy.

any help here would be greatly appreciated.

its a mk1 GTI cab 1991 G reg

Also, since doing this the engine seems to dip a little and the exhaust is quite different, whats the link that causes this?

really appreciate your help

Dom

Was going to suggest sealant aswell as gasket but if you tried it, maybe try a rubber one with sealant, easier to seal.

Might need to change to the rubber rocker cover version. Its a mk3 one. Need to change the studs too. Its a better fit and all snug with a little sealant. Also check your rocker cover is not cracked or bent in that corner.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rocker-Cover-Gasket-VW-Golf-Mk3-III-1-6-8v-10-1994-NEW-/170789694483?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D310422130791%26ps%3D54#ht_1077wt_984

is it this one?

Look like it alright. I got mine from crazy quiff.

Sometimes a missmatch of gasket & stud types can throw up a leak.

The early cork gasket is used with shouldered studs to prevent the gasket from being overtightened.

The rubber type has metal washers built into the gasket and studs have no shoulders on them.

I replaced mine not to long ago for the rubber type.

Check the studs first before you buy.

I think its a 2.0 8V rocker cover seal you need? But not 100% sure… sorry.

VW should do them too.

I've got a genuine vw one for carb engine.

First off, thank you all for your help on this, I couldnt have done it without you.

I got it all done today, bought the mk3 gasket, changed the studs over and boom, sealed first time without sealant.

When I changed the studs, I noticed that the back right stud wasn't screwed all the way up to the shoulder, and this was the leaky corner… I'm glad this happened as im happier with the rubber gasket now… took her out and she flies…



I think I may have screwed it out a little more when taking the rocker cover off but it was definitely not all the way in…

No problem Dom. That's what the mk1 forum is all about - helping each other out and gaining a bit of knowledge on the way. Well done - it's a great feeling when it's fixed and all goes right.

yeah it is… cheers

peace

nw ths is why i love the forum everybody helps everybody. Its like the samaritans for mk1 golf owners !!

Hi all

After sealing the rocker cover last week, I still have a small leak, wheres the next point to check? it seems to be dripping from 3 points underneath which tells me the leak must be above the sump… oh i don't know… I have de greased the engine and just cant find it.

Any advice welcomed. cheers

Dom

Take off the cam belt cover and check is there much oil there and look at the camshaft seal. It might be loose or seal gone hard. I had this after germany trip small dribble down the side and back of the engine block. Replaced seal no problems since.

Hey

thanks for the advice, Ive had it off and there was a little oil but when i degreased and let it run for 15 mins i saw nothing leaking, most of the oil is on the gearbox side of the engine but i cant see it leaking from that side of the rocker cover, it seams lower than the rocker. but above the gearbox, i wonder if i have two leaks? gearbox and engine, its also hard to get into 1st when warm…

it looks pretty oily around the oil temp sensor, or maybe the plugs?
 
At the moment i put about half a ltr every 2 weeks in her just to keep her afloat.

help

Shughy said

Might need to change to the rubber rocker cover version. Its a mk3 one. Need to change the studs too. Its a better fit and all snug with a little sealant. Also check your rocker cover is not cracked or bent in that corner.

Hi,

I need to change my cork gasket over to rubber, do you have a picture of what the finished article looks like? I'm not sure what bolts / studs / shoulder thingies I need to replace go like?

I have the parts all set, ordered from VW Heritage.

Also,

Don't suppose anyone knows the torque settings for the new gasket? Cheers.

pretty simple, lock 2 nuts together onto each stud and wind them out, then wind in all the replacements till they stop going in any further. you have a wide selection of studs in the kit as which ones you use depends on if its carb or kjet, early or late belt covers etc. Basically just match the lengths of the new studs to the old ones!

for torque you just wind them all down with your fingers till they bottom out, then nip lightly with a small ratchet/spanner. The rings in the rubber gasket will stop you deforming the gasket, its just a case of dont tighten the nuts so much that you shear off the studs!

Thank you rubjonny you are a true legend !!! Managed to get some time today to sort this. Here's hoping to no more leaking oil : )

Have a random question, I noticed that when the oil rocker was off, and the oil splash cover, one little pot had far more oil in it than any other, any ideas why this would be? Do I need worry?

(It's in the top left "pot" of the picture, all the rest were pretty empty )

not really a pot as such, just a bit of head casting. it'll have some oil in as the engine is tilted back in a golf, plus i guess car may be canted over to that side a bit. nothing to worry about

Thank you rubjonny for everything - truly are a star !!