1976 s3 1300 fulvia
lots of oil leaking from rocker box into spark plug bays
the bolt with the distributor lead spacer is loose
should i try tightening this first - (seen a warning somewhere re overtightening these)
or go straight for a new gasket?
where can i get this gasket cheaply please?
thank you
iain fraser
rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
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Michael Beattie
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
The spark plug holes are sealed by two pairs of "spectacle" gaskets.
It's definitely worth a go at tightening the cover bolts, as these gaskets are pretty sturdy and it is unlikely that they will have cracked or failed.
You could try taking off the rocker cover and re-sealing using silicone sealer or as I prefer Red Hermetite, putting it both sides of the gaskets.
If you need new gaskets I would suggest Omicron, as they will probably sell you them individually.
It's definitely worth a go at tightening the cover bolts, as these gaskets are pretty sturdy and it is unlikely that they will have cracked or failed.
You could try taking off the rocker cover and re-sealing using silicone sealer or as I prefer Red Hermetite, putting it both sides of the gaskets.
If you need new gaskets I would suggest Omicron, as they will probably sell you them individually.
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ecoangel
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
BE CAREFUL tightening the rocker cover bolts - they are low torque - ie: hand tighten only!
It is very easy to snap off the ends which remain in the camshaft caps.
Take the rocker cover off and check spectacles as Michael Beattie suggests.
The wider isssue is how well your cam shaft cap bolts are fastened into the head. If they are loose then the rocker cover and bolts will vibrate loose. Again be careful - do not over tighten the cap bolts or you will eat the helicoils/threads in the aluminium head.
It is very easy to snap off the ends which remain in the camshaft caps.
Take the rocker cover off and check spectacles as Michael Beattie suggests.
The wider isssue is how well your cam shaft cap bolts are fastened into the head. If they are loose then the rocker cover and bolts will vibrate loose. Again be careful - do not over tighten the cap bolts or you will eat the helicoils/threads in the aluminium head.
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Huib
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
Right. And go around several times. When you have done #6, you will find #1 loose again. Go around till no one tightens any more (by hand with old fashioned short Allen key!!!)
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Randy Adams
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
Perhaps my engine was an oddball or maybe the current gaskets are no longer the cork type but I used to find if I overtightened the cover bolts the cover would cut right through the "spectacles." I think I eventually ended up relying on cork spectacles patched with silicone gasket goop. Inelegant but successful.
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Brian Hilton
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
Spectacle & cam cover Gaskets I've been obtaining from Omicron for the last 9 years, are certainly not cork, & I have never been a problem with these.
The only problem I did have was that a couple of the bolts would work loose, but even this seems to have cured itself.
The only problem I did have was that a couple of the bolts would work loose, but even this seems to have cured itself.
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P. de R. Leclercq
Re: rocker box leaking oil ?gasket
The "Harry" method was first to ensure that all was spotlessly clean...
And then fit the gaskets...
The main problem is when the edge on the exhaust manifold side goes "in". Check with your finger that you can feel the edge of the gasket all the way round.
Me? I use black silicone to stick the damned thing in place before I fit the cover! And yes I go criss-cross many times - but don't overdo it - remember that the bolts screw into the camshaft caps - you have been warned.
Paul
And then fit the gaskets...
The main problem is when the edge on the exhaust manifold side goes "in". Check with your finger that you can feel the edge of the gasket all the way round.
Me? I use black silicone to stick the damned thing in place before I fit the cover! And yes I go criss-cross many times - but don't overdo it - remember that the bolts screw into the camshaft caps - you have been warned.
Paul