davidscooby

My drivers side rocker cover gasket is leaking and smelling.

My friend replaced it but must still have a slight leak still as it doesnt drip on the floor.just smells.which is annoying. Was only replaced two or three weeks ago


Gonna attempt to fix it over my brothers yard with unlimited tools and car ramp today.

My questions is the genuine gasket is pretty new. What sealant should i go and buy from halfords or car motor shop and how should i apply it.

Also heard of a washer trick with 8mm washer as the bolts are shouldered to get extra tightness on the gasket.

Gonna start the job in a few hours and tips would be greatfull .

Cheers all

steve ex vauxhall

iTrader: (5)

How many miles has the car done since changing the gaskets mate?
Oil, once spilled or leaked all over the place can take a considerable time to burn off

davidscooby

Would say about 200 miles

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Have a good look and make sure its defo still leaking before pulling it apart, as said above oil takes a long time to burn off manifolds and any other hot parts that the previous leak has covered.
Jay

davidscooby

Well i take it over the yard have a good look.but if its still leaking?

steve ex vauxhall

iTrader: (5)

I would be having a damn good look around before stripping it again, the oil can run onto the the heat shields on the headers ( if they are there) and does tend to stink for a fair time.

Best sealant in my opinion is Hylomar, easily available from halfrauds, not sure about the other mod your talking about though,

Over tightening the bolts can also cause a leak

davidscooby

Where would u apply the sealant?

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Some folk say dont use sealer on the gasket, i dont use any, i only put some on the cam caps where the cam pullys go and a small amount on the top of the rubber washers, dont go mad over tightening them. were new rubber rocker gaskets used if not throw them away and put new ones on.
Jay

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

O and make sure every thing is as clean as possible.

davidscooby

Yea was a brand new gasket used.just thinking whats the best way to approach it

davidscooby

If i was to use sealant where and how much on both sides of the gasket

wazlee

iTrader: (3)

Making sure all surfaces are totally clean is the main trick.

What I done was to apply a thin bead of sealer (I used Reno's black silicone) in the channel of the rocker cover, place in the gasket & let I it set for a bit whilst I cleaned the surface on the cylinder head.
Once that's done I applied a thin film of sealer on the gasket face that meets to the head.
I used some thin washers between the bolt head & round gasket - but you must be careful not to over tighten & strip the threads !

Done mine a fair few months ago & seems all ok

Hope helps,

davidscooby

The washer trick.?

wazlee

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, take the round 'O' gaskets off the bolts & clean - before placing them back on, put a thin washer on the bolt 1st then slide the 'O' gasket back on, again a smidge of sealer won't hurt.

davidscooby

Removed heat shield under the uppipe and carb cleaned the whole area .when i got home the metal heatsheild looks oily still .so decided to heat up the area on my fishing cooker and it was burning off so bad and the same smell i get via my heaters in car . Think i might have found the problem because its on the heatshield still and not burning off fully .

maydew

iTrader: (9)

threebond 1215, and spend alot of time on the prep,remove and reseal the half moons too.

davidscooby

Thinking the smell was from heatsheild as prevous post up!