Hi folks just fitted my r / gaskets back on after setting my valve clearance and are leaking both sides i think i might of left the RTV sealant go off to hard before i fitted them , on rocker cover side only . Have tried fitting them dry but leak , tried fitting them slightly oiled but leak . Have used RTV silicone in last two years without problems . Is Hylomar better , but was told if it breaks off it does not break down and can block the oil ways , whats your opinion. Can't see that RTV can be any different on that score .
Type 1 or type 4? With flat rocker covers and strong spring bails, I've never, ever had them leak on a type 1. No sealant. Type 4s I believe you can get the gaskets mis-aligned.
Do not use RTV in an engine , Ever. It may (will) eventually flake off & block an oil way. Grease the gaskets, or blue hylomar if you must.
Try new bail springs if the old ones are rusty. Clean crud off the cover or buy Bugpack black pattern covers new. Make sure no paint or crud on flat mating surface on cylinder head. Use thin layer of hylomar inside cover to locate gasket if it wont lie straight. Job done.
What they said^. You should be really struggling to get the clips on. If not, either remove and bend to make tighter or replace them. I used to grease them, but gave that up years ago and have been fitting dry without trying very hard ever since. It's all about the bales/bails/clips.
I allways fully clean both cover and head face smear of grease on cover to hold in place and smear of grease on sealing face and then once on I tap along the bottom edge never had a leak
Yeh know what you mean about tapping you can tap it up slightly as it has a tendency to slip down . I don't think they are leaking now ...one side is a bit oily but i think it's just where the grease has melted in the heat . Got an old 1.700 type4 in my shed ...come from over the water . The gaskets on that are loads wider than the new ones you get now , in fact those metal tab bits are the same width as the fatter gasket ....think that's why the new gaskets slide around , as they don't get held by the tabs . I suppose you could tap them in a bit but you could catch the cylinder head when you fit them .
Up Until a few years ago the gaskets i used to get were much wider than what you get now and were much easier to get right. Im from the grease both sides school of fittin too. I have lost it in the past and gone down the sealant route but ive yot better now!
The VW logo should be upsidedown too apparently.. Just in case that helps... Though my engine doesn't have any oil in it yet so not really in a place of experience.....
Yeah, I know, I've always used new seals, gaskets and filters, it's a throwback to working on aircraft and jet engines.
For the rocker cover gaskets you see the imprint of the head where they've been gradually compressed by the bales. On the other hand I have my carbs on and off and in pieces over and again, they're on there second engine with different manifolds and I haven't renewed a single gasket including the 8 between the carbs/spacers/manifolds.
