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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Leaking valve cover

Posted by: jdijoe May 24 2005, 02:00 PM

Hello, well I never had an oil leak untill I got a valve adust ( which it needed) , previous owner had sealant on gasket..so we left it off and now we have a leak...I put sealant on again and leak is lessened but it is still there nonetheless...any suggestions...sealant type or new valve cover or what ? thanks in advance...

Posted by: scooter311 May 24 2005, 02:22 PM

Hello sir
May I suggest a thorough cleaning of the valve cover and contact area of the head from any goo or splooge, then a new gasket with no sealer. Take care that teh gasket doesn't slip when putting it back together, and that the pesky bail bar is still attatched to the head in its little holes on either side. As long as she's-a put in properly, she shouldn't leak.
Good luck!

Posted by: 914helo May 24 2005, 02:27 PM

I second scooter's recommendation. You don't need any sealant or RTV with the gasket. The gasket only works. I guess you could have a warped valve cover. Does it look bent?

Posted by: SirAndy May 24 2005, 02:33 PM

QUOTE (jdijoe @ May 24 2005, 01:00 PM)
sealant type or new valve cover or what ?

no RTV, just a new gasket. make sure the VW logo on the cover is *upside down* ...

once the retainer clip is back in place, grab the cover and firmly pull it downward to make sure it's seated correctly!

Andy

Posted by: nebreitling May 24 2005, 03:42 PM

i would just add that i use a small amount of gasket sealent (not rtv, but some people do that) to hold down the gasket while putting it on the cylinder head. makes sure the gasket goes where it's supposed to.

Posted by: scott thacher May 24 2005, 04:25 PM

my suggestion is use copper spray gasket sealer, more as a glue. just give the gasket a light spray, let it dry, then put it on the head in the right place. it will stick if you wipe the head clean, then install the valve cover

Posted by: jdijoe May 24 2005, 08:44 PM

thanks for the suggestions..I will try them and let you all know...I have also ordered a couple of used valve covers just in case....I noticed that when my mechanic put the valve cover back on he did not clean all the sealant off from previous owner...if PO had sealant on there i am going to assume a problem was already present...that why I ordered a couple of valve covers to replace...

My mechanic also sez I can order VW valve covers that are very reasonable in cost and new...is he right? I have a 74 2.0 ...

Posted by: brp914 May 24 2005, 09:16 PM

QUOTE
no RTV, just a new gasket. make sure the VW logo on the cover is *upside down* ...

I think you only mount it upside down when you have left and right covers swapped. In any event, mount such that the tab is on the bottom. Then lift the bale wire up, prying against the trailing arm. Problem is, only one end of the cover has a tab. Over time, the corner edge of the cover on the other end gets bent flat. That end of the cover wont seat properly, and can then leak. Restore the edge with a hammer.

Posted by: SirAndy May 24 2005, 11:06 PM

QUOTE (brp914 @ May 24 2005, 08:16 PM)
I think you only mount it upside down when you have left and right covers swapped.

nope, logo upside down on *both* sides ...

Andy

Posted by: Always Looking May 24 2005, 11:13 PM

Mine leaked, so i installed new gasket with sealer - just to be sure. Worked OK - no leaks. Did another valve adjust and new gasket on old sealer - leaked like a sieve. Cleaned up sealer and installed new gasket - dry as a bone, now leaking from push rod tubes. Bought new push rod tube seals and installed (easy job) REALLY DRY AS A BONE.

Now leaking from transmission

Conclusion 1: valve cover won't leak with new gasket and no goop
Conclusion 2: its always something...