Rocker Cover Oil Leaks

[gt/e paul]

hello all ok this may or may not sound daft .but has anyone else had trouble to stop oil leaking from the rocker cover when using the standard cork gasket? engine in question is a normal cih and I am using an alloy rocker cover as per opel gt type.

I have had it sealed but it just doesn't last for long. the whole reason for using an alloy one as I thought I wouldn't get the usual leaks as you do when using a distorted tin one.

so far I have tried cork gasket on its own. no cork gasket and just sealant. or cork gasket and sealant.

its a job I have done loads of times over the years but just lately it doesn't seem to go ok . just wondered what other people use/do or other methods as I have heard some like soaking the gasket overnight in water and using grease or Vaseline. cheers paul

[andyc]

Hi Paul

Could be the breather filter in the top of the cam/rocker cover. If this is full of crud then the engine can not breath and the only place for the pressure to go is out of the gasket.

Cheers

Andy

[smiffy220]

I've got the same problem on my B. I will check same on mine too then.

[Kevin Abbott]

Didn't the 2.4 have a rubber gasket?

Could be wrong.

[rutts]

alloy cover has a different gasket than steel ones.

I had same problem but bought an alloy cover gasket off a guy at billing.

don't know what is different did not look closely but does not leak now.

used wellseal also not normal sealant.

[gt/e paul]

Breather looks clear so should be ok. have looked for frontera 2.4 rocker cover gasket as kev reminded me cih is fitted to frontera with 2.4 embossed rocker cover. had a quick look on e bay and yes there is a rubber equivalent so I prob will try this.

didn't know alloy cover had different gasket to pressed steel cover

[JackA1972]

im having the same problem, could you put a link of the rubber gasket you found please, i have see some on ebay but none of them state there rubber so not sure whats the right one.

[611]

I was thinking about the rubber one the other day for mine.

A couple of links here. One has ended but he posted the part number in the listing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/390656181575?showlimghlp=true&lpid=92&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=92&ff19=0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-FRONTERA-CARLTON-2-4-ROCKER-COVER-GASKET-GENUINE-90322930-/321206894577?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROCKER-COVER-GASKET-VAUXHALL-FRONTERA-2-4-/150972265712

I think you still might need some sealant, but the rubber one might have a slight lip to them. I have a 2.4 alloy rocker cover knocking around somewhere if anyone wants one? they are much stronger than the GT or Manta tin one so i would think you could get them tightened down better?

Andy

[mantasrme]

Can't say i've ever had a problem using a cork gasket on alloy covers before, they've always sealed for me.

Although i do remember coming across one alloy cover that was deformed slightly. When placed on a flat surface you could rock it corner to corner as it had been twisted somehow.

Might be worth checking that

[pat]

was once told by an old mechanic to always soak cork gaskets overnight in fresh oil before using them , usually been fine for me unless there was a defect in the mating surfaces

[cam.in.head]

i too always have used a cork gasket on my 2.2 as well as my 2.0 with a tin cover. i have noticed that some of the aftermarket gaskets seem to be of a lesser quality/density cork than gm or a reputable brand.i always use a thin smear of black silicone on it as well. the lesser quality ones do seem to start to leak a bit soon.(seems to seep through the cork !).

[gt/e paul]

I eventually opted to buy a rubber one from e bay like the one in andys links above. I did telephone Vauxhall about a genuine one but at £28.80 +vat . I thought it a tad rich for a rocker gasket. the one I got cost £13 so was happy with that.

the rocker cover ive used is an old carlton 2.2 one the same as the 2.4 frontera one. so far so good no leaks and looks much better than the cork ones.

I did see on here somewhere that someone had their rocker cover re-machined to read 2.0 instead of 2.2 or 2.4 now when I want to see how it needs to be done I cant find the thread .

[611]

Hey Paul

Im glad it works, might have to get one for mine when i get to the point of getting it running :-)

You probably need to get the rocker cover ally welded first then a machine shop should be able to sort it out. Wheel refurbishers are usually good for getting it welded.

look at this bit of welding work. Rhino Alloys, where i got my wheels refurbished.

Andy

Edited October 3, 2013 by 611

[gt/e paul]

hi andy that looks marvellous ,such a great job . yes I thought I had read about filling it with weld first. we have the equipment at work but although I can weld (with mig and arc) I don't want to do it for fear of making a complete mess of it. as I have not done tig welding before lol.

[611]

Hi Paul

It might be easier to find a local welding place that does ally and get it done there? had some brackets done on my rad and it took the guy 10 mins and did a great job and he was happy with £10 cash for doing it. At least you know its done properly as he know what ally it was and what rods to use. Seems like there are lots of different types of ally :-)

Andy