I've just noticed I have a small oil leak which appears to be from the drivers side cam cover. It seems to drip very slightly onto the bottom of the up-pipe. Can someone help with;
a) Is there a gasket under the cam cover and,
b) is removal of the cover straightforward, ie can I just undo the 5 or six bolts and take it off without removing anything else (I realise I'll probably have to take the manifold off to get to it).
Thanks,

 

Hi Graham. I've just noticed a smell of hot oil when parking and found the same thing. Did you ever get an answer?

Zanlin

 

same here,

haven't noticed if its the power steering fluid causing it or oil though. Would be interested to find out too.

 

I did mine just this past weekend.

If it is your cam / rocker cover gasket that has gone, the process of changing is quite easy.

don't just buy the new gasket, buy 6 new seals for the six bolts which hold the cover on and a new gasket for the breather which sits on top of the rocker cover (I forgot to buy this one).

Drivers side - remove air box and any other piping which is in the way (take note how they go back on), detach the header tank from its fixings so that it can be swung out of the way.

Access to the rocker cover should now be a lot easier - note: this is all from the top of the engine bay - just thought from your comment about removing the manifold that you might try it from underneath.

Undo and remove the six bolts holding the cover in place, disconnect pipes from the breather and remove the whole thing. NOTE : there will be some oil loss so get ready to catch it in a tray or something.

Clean all surfaces and fit new gaskets.

Rebuild is reverse of strip down - make sure all your pipes are re-connected in the right way. Don't over tighten the six bolts, don't know what the correct torque figures are .....

P.S.-I used a very small amount of gasket sealer around the tight corners of the rocker gasket......all seems to be holding so far, no more nasty burning oil.


Hope this helps a little.....

Steve

 

Thanks Steve, looks like my Saturday is sorted.

How long did it take?

Zanlin

 

I spent a lot of time cleaning the whole area - rocker cover, pipe work, exhaust heat shield......

All in all, about half a day if you take your time and do things properly.

Steve

p.s. - don't forget to buy some oil to replace the small amount which will leak out when you remove the cover.

 

Many thanks, Steve, that's exactly the info I was looking for. Since I've still got the undertray and the heatshield off after changing the up-pipe, I will probably do it from underneath after removing the manifold.

graham

 

Steve - you are a star.

I've got the same issue (MY98) - been meaning to look properly for a while, must be common problem.

Nik

 

Small amount that will leak out...lol
It can be a little more than that, and also watch, coz its going to drip straight onto the exhaust, and it will take a while to burn off. Nothing to worry about, but can be annoying.

 

Also replace the semi-circular rubbers that sit at the end of the cam covers. They are very easy to identify on the microfiche exploded view. It took me some time to find the cause of a burning oil smell even though I replaced the cam cover gaskets. These semi-circular rubbers are often over looked and deteriorate in time dripping onto the header often leaving no oil on the floor but a noticable smell.

 

P/Nos. to assist.
4no. 11051AA070 Plug-cyl head.(half moons)
4no. 13293AA040 Gskt-Rocker cover. (top of cam cover
1no. 13270AA171 Gskt-Rocker cover R.H.
1no. 13272AA093??? as above but L.H. (last two are the large cam cover edge gaskets)