7 replies to this topic

[johnR]

I took the car out for a short run between downpours today - just a couple of miles, luckily.

As I neared home white smoke started pouring out behind me followed by the smell of burning oil. 

It seems that the rocker cover gasket 'failed' although on inspection it was intact and it's almost new (cork type)and the oil was burning on the hot exhaust. It did occur to me that it could have been caused by  a pressure build up in the rocker cover - I've got an alloy flip top filler cap on it and I'm not sure if they vent or if they do at what pressure.  anyone any experience of this? 

JohnR

[kezzkitkat]

it could be the gasket may have moved from the back so the actual gasket is not actual on the lip of the rocker cover but it appears that it actual is if thats understandable.

personally ive  had problems with breathers but never rocker cover building pressures 

[Dusky]

I had a problem, tried 2 new gaskets always the same problem. It was the rocker cover wich was bent

[dklawson]

I have posted my method of attaching valve cover gaskets before.  Rather than repeat it here, please see post #4 in the thread linked below.

http://www.theminifo...r-seal-leaking/

[nicklouse]

I don't do as above but it works. One thing that does really help is good storage of the gaskets. More so if you have an alloy cover that dies not have the tabs.

Keeping the next gasket to be used on a spare pressed metal cover helps it take and hold the correct shape. They always tend to be a bit pinched.

[tiger99]

Good idea. They are indeed "a bit pinched" when you buy them. Packing them properly is not exactly rocket science, but I suppose a piece of carefully shaped cardboard in the middle would eat into profit margins.

[johnR]

I bought some new cork gaskets and fitted one following the good advice given here.

I then started the engine only to be rewarded with an instant stream of oil from the same end of the rocker cover as before. 

However, as it now seemed extremely unlikely that the gasket was at fault I investigated further. 

Where the leak was actually coming from was a small hole in the black plastic oil pressure gauge sender pipe just where it passed over the corner of the rocker cover!

So now I'll replace the pipe with a braided steel one and hopefully that wont happen again!

[dklawson]

I'm sorry about the mess but at least you found the actual source of the leak.  You will be happy with the braided oil line.