I replaced the rocker cover gaskets while I had the block out to do the clutch but they are both leaking again! I cleaned up the surfaces and applied a little jointing compound...

RARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

What am I doing wrong and someone please tell me it is possible to do them with the engine in situe

 

relatively easy job in situ.

Naturally cleanliness of the mating surfaces is important. It's one of those jobs where preperation is 80% of the task

I would use a light amount of 'silicon sealant', though a good non-setting sealant such as 'Hylomar' should work well. ...having said that I just assempled mine with no more than a couple of dabs of sealant adjacent to the camshaft bearing caps, using genuine gaskets.

 

It is possible to do in-situ but is a real nightmare.

Take everything out of the way that you can, remove the dog bone and the engine mount bolts and jack the engine up a little to improve the access.

Get all new gaskets and take your time but it may still leak

 

I didnt use OEM gaskets but I did use a slither of Welseal jointing compound on the mating surfaces.. Looks like I'm going to have to do it again in situe.. doh!

 

Get yourself a tube of Grey 3 Bond - works everytime.
At least it will be easy to clean the Wellseal off all the surfaces.

 

Used 3 Bond and the OEM gaskets and VOILA its sorted!

 

I used pattern ones once, and they leaked like a pensioners bladder ! Fitted OEM ones with some sealant, prob solved. They hav'nt leaked at all in the 12 months since I fitted them.

The pattern cam shaft seals I fitted are a different story