Leaking valve cover gasket q.

I just did another valve adjustment and the new gasket leaked. What is the best way to ensure it won't leak. soak the gasket first, buy other than cork ? any ideas, group?

Reply to
1 who waits
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Make sure the ends of the bails are in their holes. Sometimes they pop out.

My valve covers were leaking, even with new gaskets. I got new bails and the leaks went away. New bails will be a close fit and are somewhat difficult to move into position onto the valve cover. I think I got mine at

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I also got a spare set of valve covers to make replacement faster when it is paint the covers and or replace the gaskets time. I here cork gaskets are best. I have been using the rubber coated cork gaskets. Here=92s a good link on engine oil leaks:

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It covers about everything except the transmission main shaft seal, and a loose back-up light switch.

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-------------------------- > I just did another valve adjustment and the new gasket leaked. What is

Reply to
Jim347a

You can bend the end of the bails inwards, to increae the pressure that put on the cover. This will stop the leaks from the covers. I don't like to use any sealant.

Bill Spiliotopoulos, '67 Bug.

Ï "1 who waits" Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá news: snipped-for-privacy@sn-ip.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net...
Reply to
Bill Spiliotopoulos

Don't know the history here but just in case, use original valve covers and not the empi aftermarket aluminum ones despite how good they look. The oem steel covers seem to seal the best. I had this problem a long time ago and took it to an old school VW mechanic who fixed the problem in about 5 minutes by swapping out my aftermarket covers.

Reply to
Funkie

been there, done that too! I fully agree.

Reply to
Jan Andersson

Me three, back to original valve covers, I switched over to these:

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happy with them although they did not fix my leak, it was thebails, second bending the bails if that fixes it new ones are inorder, pretty cheap, less than 5 bucks a piece if I recall correctly,cheap fix for pesky valve cover leaks. I am going to switch to thesilicone oil screen gasket also on my stroker.Darrell

Reply to
fixer33

thanks, guys for the input. The bails sure seemed tight. I'm thinking since the gaskets were so think that after a coupla heating cycles they will "settle" in. and don't we all like a problem that fixes itself. thanks again. g.

Reply to
1 who waits

I have used rubber impregnated cork. Clean and de-grease all surfaces, then glue the gasket onto the cover and let dry. Install either with nothing on teh head side, or a thin coat of vaseline. Make sure the valve cover bails are ok and provide good tension. Buy new bails if in doubt. Also try to see if the covers are warped.

Reply to
Jan

The text in the link states: '(FITS ALL VW 4-CYL AIR-COOLED ENGINES)'. This is not true. They do not fit the 30hp(36SAE) and older engines, not entirely sure of the brake-off date.

J.

Reply to
P.J.Berg

ASSUMING... the use of stock valve covers and gaskets, tool marks on the valve gallery sealing surface are the most common cause for symptoms of a persistent leak. SOP is to check the sealing surfaces. If not perfectly smooth, they should be dressed with a single-cut file. Both edges of the sealing surface should have a slight chamfer.

The gasket is glued to the cover using gasket shellac or similar.

The sealing surface receives a light coating of grease; no sealant of any kind.

Trial-fit the valve cover to ensure there is no casting flash or other obstruction that might cause the valve cover to be held out of position when the bail is put in place.

-Bob Hoover

Reply to
Bob Hoover

Having been down this road, here is what has always worked for me: Stock black VW valve cover Stock VW valve cover bale/wire clip Stock Cork gasket

Glue the gasket into the cover with RTV. Do not apply sealer to the face of the gasket touching the head, only glue the back side of the gasket to the cover. I put a light smear of grease on the side of the gasket that will touch the head.

Make sure the sealing surface on the head is free of blemishes. If you find any gouges here you will need to fix it. I do this job with various grits of sandpaper, before you start put a couple shop rags over the rockers and into the interior part of the valve area to keep any metal from getting in there. I usually finish things off with 800 or 1000 grit, I like the surface to be very smooth and free of defects. Make sure the sealing surface is CLEAN, use some brake cleaner on a paper towel if in doubt.

A good valve cover wire clip will be tight enough that you will need to use a screwdriver or similar to walk it up into the proper position when installing the cover. If you can push it up into the groove with your bare hand, it is not tight enough and will probably leak.

I don't change these gaskets unless they are leaking, and to be honest, they do seem to go quite a few miles/valve adjustments if you do the proper prep work before installing them.

Good luck with it.

Chris

Reply to
Hal

Are you using original or aftermarket covers and clamps? My old 1303S used to leak - until I fitted original VW covers! Aftermarket ones don't fit well at all.

Reply to
Howard Rose

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