Rocker cover gasket leak

[mariononslow20]

I took the rocker cover off to replace the heater tap - better access. Heater tap fine and not leaking, but the problem has moved to the rocker cover. Since then I've had a load of grief.....

The original rocker gasket was shot and leaking so I put on a new one. Problem is that it stays in place fine -used the blue gasket glue - until you tighten it up, then it slides under on the long side and leaves a gap through which the oil pours. I have taken off and resited about 20 times but it happens every time.

I took great care not to overtighten in the past as I know that can distort the cover. Maybe the answer is to buy a new one and try again, probs with a new gasket.

2nd problem is that I replaced the oil filter while I was at it and it seemed only to have one rubber seal on the outside where the bolt head is but no seal (as per Haynes manual) inside the filter bowl. I have reassembled it anyway. The top large seal popped in the groove just fine. Do you think it will be OK

Any ideas would be much appreciated - cheers, Marion

[myoldjalopy]

Hi Marion,
I would get a new rocker cover gasket, clean the rocker cover thoroughly to remove all traces of oil (especially where the gasket goes) and then glue the gasket in place to the cover (gasket glue or impact adhesive), grease the other side and try again. Don't overtighten - it only needs to be nipped up. If you ovwertighten the gasket often will squish out, as you describe.
As for the filter, if the rubber ring seal sat in the groove properly it should be OK - just check for leaks on idle and again after a short run. If it is leaking, it may just need to be nipped up again, or worst case, try again. Sometimes screwing the filter case back on can squish the seal out if you aren't careful. But if there is no external seal at the bottom of the canister where the bolt goes (between the bolt and the washer), it may leak from there. Just check its not leaking from the top or bottom of the canister.
Hope this helps,
Pete

[philthehill]

The Haynes manual is correct in that there is a washer felt (seal) (Pt No: 7H1758) between the plate pressure (Pt No: 17H942) and the washer plain - pressure plate spring (Pt No: 7H1765).
The washer felt is there to ensure that oil does not make its way past the pressure plate via its central hole so by-passing the oil filter.
The rubber seal under the bolt centre (Pt No: 17H943) head is Pt No: 7H1759.
Early oil filter says has a circlip (Pt No: 27H2877) around the bolt centre - above the pressure plate. The circlip was there to ensure that the parts below the filter element were kept together and which reduced the risk of the assy coming apart and parts becoming lost/seperated when the oil filter was removed
Phil

[bmcecosse]

Blue gasket glue?? As mentioned above - NO nasty gasket goo - but do stick the new gasket to the cover with clear impact adhesive - leave it to dry overnight before fitting. Later covers have little 'guards' on the long sides to stop the gasket moving. Have to ask - why take the cover off to get at the heater tap??? Perfectly accessible with cover in place. I learned a long time ago to NOT dismantle any thing I didn't NEED to dismantle.....Mind you - still waiting for James May to come along and 'Reassemble' a gearbox for me.....but it did need dismantling....

[Declan_Burns]

My mate and I make the rocker cover seal in rubber.
Regards
Declan

[mariononslow20]

Thanks for advice

But what about the gasket / head contact. Would that be

(a) nothing
(b) blue goo
(c) impact adhesive
(d) grease

Marion

[philthehill]

If you are going to use glue - use it to stick the gasket to the rocker cover and when the glue is dry lightly smear some grease on the gasket face which goes against the head. The grease will stop the gasket sticking to the head and keep the gasket supple.
Phil

[bmcecosse]

You should NEVER use any 'GOO' of any description on the engine. The glueing of the rocker gasket is merely a convenience and money saving move - the gasket will survive many a removal / refit after glueing to the cover - and the glue if done carefully will be invisible.

[Boomlander]

Agreed, apply a thin film of impact adhesive to the rocker cover lip and one side of the cork gasket.
Allow both surfaces to dry for twenty minutes.
Grip cover in a vice using soft jaws or cloth to avoid damage.
lay a sheet of A4 printer paper on the cover leaving one end exposed.
Align the gasket with the exposed cover end and press lightly into position.
Gradually press the remaining surfaces together drawing the paper out as you go along to prevent accidental contact.
Place completed cover right side up on a level surface and leave for twenty four hours with a couple of heavy books on top.
Apply a light film of grease to bottom surface and fit to engine.