Tried & Failed to address Lower Valve Cover Leaks...
05-30-2014 | 05:41 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Thanks gents 
Bit disappointing that you have to drill the Hargett covers. Do the Rennline covers fit out of the box? I notice that the Rennline ones have a powder coat option. I take it there's no issue applying heat to cure a high temp paint finish then? Chris
Bit disappointing that you have to drill the Hargett covers. Do the Rennline covers fit out of the box? I notice that the Rennline ones have a powder coat option. I take it there's no issue applying heat to cure a high temp paint finish then? Chris
05-30-2014 | 06:15 PM
#17
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 3
From: NE England :)
I have Hargett from a few years back. Cheaper than Tarrett and Rennline from memory, but they always leaked. Just had 1mm skimmed off each (50 quid a side), having previously changed gaskets and driven myself mad torquing in correct order over and over - and now they are dry. Finally.
The machine shop said the channels were exactly the depth of the gaskets. Fail! Should have bought the expensive ones...
The machine shop said the channels were exactly the depth of the gaskets. Fail! Should have bought the expensive ones...
Anyone have a discount code?
Chris
05-30-2014 | 06:29 PM
#18
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 42
From: Stockholm, Sweden
It is not the cam covers. It is the o-rings between the cam towers and the cam chain houses. The oil goes downwards and enters at the lower cam covers. This is the number one leak sfter 20 years.
Thomas
Thomas
05-30-2014 | 06:38 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 3
From: NE England :)
06-01-2014 | 12:11 PM
#20
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 42
From: Stockholm, Sweden
It can be the covers but if they looks straight, fresch seals and tourqed correctly they should seal well since thr rubber seals are so thick so they even out the surface.
I couple of years ago I finally "had enough" of oil dripping on the the lower cam covers, it looked as it came from aorund cylinder 1 and 4, the two ones facing the rear of the car. It leaked more after hard track driving. But the covers wasn't the culprit.
Insted it is the big o-rings sealing the hole in the cam chain housings where the camshaft enters the housing. When it leaks the oil drips down in the space between the cam towers and the cam chain housings and ends up on the lower cam covers because they are the lowest point.
The o-rings gets hard, flat and shrinks after so many years. The heat and constant high oil preassure at track days makes the dripping worse. There's also a thin paper seal around each camshaft but the o-ring is the big thing.
In the picture you can see the new seals, green, and the old ones, red, mounted on the part that they sits on behind teh camdrive. You can actually see how thin and flat the red seals have become comaped to the new green one.
I replaced these with my engine in the car, so it is doable but of course easier with the engine out.
Thomas
I couple of years ago I finally "had enough" of oil dripping on the the lower cam covers, it looked as it came from aorund cylinder 1 and 4, the two ones facing the rear of the car. It leaked more after hard track driving. But the covers wasn't the culprit.
Insted it is the big o-rings sealing the hole in the cam chain housings where the camshaft enters the housing. When it leaks the oil drips down in the space between the cam towers and the cam chain housings and ends up on the lower cam covers because they are the lowest point.
The o-rings gets hard, flat and shrinks after so many years. The heat and constant high oil preassure at track days makes the dripping worse. There's also a thin paper seal around each camshaft but the o-ring is the big thing.
In the picture you can see the new seals, green, and the old ones, red, mounted on the part that they sits on behind teh camdrive. You can actually see how thin and flat the red seals have become comaped to the new green one.
I replaced these with my engine in the car, so it is doable but of course easier with the engine out.
Thomas
Last edited by ThomasC2; 06-01-2014 at 12:37 PM.
