chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

I need to change my drivers side rocker gasket, and was going to give it to a garage, but I want to try it myself really to save some money.

Is it that hard?

I've got a CAIK on, so that's easily removed. Is it a case of removing the coil pack, un-doing the rocker cover bolts (is it 8?), then cleaning everything up, add some gasket sealant, and refit?

I have the main gasket, two coil pack ones, and I think 8 bolt ones.


Or is it a lot more difficult to that?


Thanks
Chris

shaggy6

iTrader: (2)

Ive just changed mine myself but its still leaking so im going to get api to sort it as its doing my nut in lol its a prety easy job though.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Why do you think it's leaking? As in something damaged? (not because you can see oil )

To be honest, mine doesn't leak too bad. And hasn't done for a while, but I want it doing as I know it's there. It's done it twice, where there was a small amount of smoke, and then the 2nd time, there was tons of smoke, like it was on fire....luckily it wasn't though.

Is it a case of just removing bolts and the rocker cover comes off? Does much oil come out?


Thanks

hodgy0_2

i did this job the other day

first I tried to smear a bit of gasket and refit the original, well that went well, err not
ended up with my engine bay full on on fire after a quick blast up the road with oil pissing all over the manifolds - I kid you not and I didn't have any water, fire exstinguisher, mobile phone

anyway thats another story - and I got away with it just

so i decided to go and get all the correct parts, my local dealer sold me the complete kit, comes to about £30.00 and includes all the gaskets (complete with half moon thingys and the rubber bolt gaskets)

this time it all went 100%

couple of things I learnt

1. the airbox comes out as a complete unit (just 2 bolts)
2. you dont need to jack the car up
3. with the correct tools , ring spanner and small socket wrench all 8 bolts are pretty easy
4. dont try and re-use the old gaskets
5. may as well change the spark plugs too
6. tighten in sequence
7. when testing, fully test in situ by getting up to temp and revving , and when you do go for a quick test drive take "precautions"

good luck

shaggy6

iTrader: (2)

luckly mines only leaking a little from the rear.. but enough to leave a nasty smell lol and ive still got all my shields on... its a comon fault.. ive been told you basically have to use lots of gasket sealant and it should be fine!
I dont know how much comes out.. i would have thought you'd get abit of residue but not loads.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Thanks for the replies.

I've got all new gaskets here. I've had them a while, but want to get it done now from hearing stories.

So it's an easy enough DIY job?

Scobman

Yes its an easy enough DIY job...........but not easy job to make sure it seals!

Trust me it can turn out to be a right pain in the a**e. You find yourself constantly checking for the telltale smoke coming out the bonnet scoop and the buring smell!!

shaggy6

iTrader: (2)

i agree with scobman.. its easy enough to do but can be a ball ache to get it right and then youve got paranoya lol.. i always keep a fire extinguisher in mine just in case it decides to go up

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Think I will give it a go then!! Will sealant from the local motor factors be ok?

Does much oil come out when you remove the cover?

Scobman

LOL.......I now carry two extinguishers!! FFS the joys of a scooby.

You can get sealant on e-bay for the job (that stealers use) Not much oil comes out just keep a decent rag handy.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Cool, thanks!!

Will give it a go next week when I'm on 6-2, and the weather is nice!!

scooby-wrx

Hi mate, this is the first bit of DIY I tried on my car and found it really easy to tell the truth... I've since changed numerous things such as gearbox, clutch, suspension, helped remove engines etc etc...

Here are a couple of pics of what to expect. Good luck and good on you for trying yourself.

friendlynortherner

That is so helpful posting pics, well done I hope everyone appreciates....Big thanks from me even though I may never do it...

scooby-wrx

No problem friendlynortherner. I think the more pics we have of these processes the better! I take pics of everything I do to my car especially for these forums.

hodgy0_2

personally I wouldn't (and i didnt put any on) worry too much about sealant around the main gasket, but I would worry about getting the mating surfaces absolutley clean and free from "crud"

the correct gasket has a deformable lip that is designed to spread and flatten to form a seal, i think the sealant could interupt this process

I did use a smidgen on the half moon thingy's though

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Thank you very much for the pictures!! Very helpful. I am doing the opposite site cover, but it will obviously be the same principle.

Is there any torque settings for the bolts when you do them back up?


Thanks

scooby-wrx

Sorry, haven't had a chance to reply...!

Torque tighten N-M (kg-m, ft-lb) = 5 (0.5, 3.6)

According to an owners manual I have I will try add a picture of the page on Monday.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Well, I did it today! Not a too bad job really. Took about 2.5 hours, but I did mess up on some things......Firstly I got a rag slightly trapped when I was tightening the bolts up, so I had to undo them all to make sure they all went back on square! Then, I put the coil packs in the wrong way, so it back fired like hell...which I wasn't expecting. I hadn't thought about taking note of which side was which!!

Definitely needed a small socket set, and ratchet spanner, or I wouldn't have got in to the bolts.

Smells of oil worse than before, but I HOPE this is because quite a bit of oil went on to the up pipe. Suppose time will tell.........

scooby-wrx

Well done mate! Glad it all worked out eventually....

Mine also smelt of burnt oil for a couple of hours, but when it burned off all was back to normal.

chrisdicko

iTrader: (21)

Thanks mate Hope I didn't do any damage putting the wrong coil pack in the wrong hole, but it all seems ok