Right a bit of background first.... My engine's an 1800 type 4 motor and over the past couple of years had both heads replaced (also had new B and P's) . They were replaced at different times so, I got one from Just Kampers then the following year when the other side went got that one from VW Heritage. They're both TES make if I recall and equally crap IMO. They both lose oil out of the rocker cover gaskets after a couple of hundred miles- not just little drops either it just starts running out. I now use gasket sealer to stick the cork to the cover, allow to dry and then refit. This usually lasts between services- about 3000 miles but, I can see the sealer starting to fail though. Has anyone else had this problem/ got any good solutions??? Both heads a really bad quality. Or anyone know where I can get decent heads from??
we had a rocker cover leak badly on a zero mile 1641 remtec motor (brand new from Heritage), absolutely pouring oil out. The tension was non existant on the rocker cover clip - some simple bending and trial fitting, bending a bit more and re trialling soon sorted the problem out. No gasket seal needed!
There's loads of tension on the clip- so much that I have to keep making sure they go on square!!! They both seem to fail at the same place too!!! but, not right away.
Are the surfaces of the rocker cover dead flat? Has the gasket slipped when you install it? Leaky rocker covers unlikely to be anything to do with the head itself.
Tried changing the covers too. I thought it could be them but, no. Some one suggested bolt on covers but, I wasn't sure as I assume they fasten to the rocker studs??
i apply grease to my gaskets to hold em in place while i clip the cover on... since i did the tappets and put new gaskets on a little drip has stopped on cylinder 1+2 side
I struggled like buggery with my first bus which had T4 1700 engine. The rocker covers were always leaking. Then on advice I tried a mere smear of grease either side of the gasket. Works for me, but you do have to fit them carefully. I agree with above that the head surface is likely to be milled perfectly flat, but there's not a lot of meat along the bottom. The imprint in the gasket should should how well it was fitted. You say always fails in the same place - where is that?
Are you using a quality gasket? Try some non setting jointing compound. I have the red gel type stuff that is meant for gearbox casings, works well and doesn't need chipping off at next service. I have used this when the cork gasket went brittle and snapped and I didn't have a spare without any leaks. Since using victor reinz gaskets from Gsf I dont need any sealer at all
Next service I'll try some of the suggestions. There isn't much of a face along the bottom edge though.
