Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[VR4Dave]

One for the experts, when you have changed cam cover gaskets that have been leaking for a while has there been a substantial amount of oil residue down both sides of the engine?

I did cam cover gaskets on my MV6 a few months back and there wasn't too much residue round the engine but i did catch them early.

Just got an elite and there seems to be a lot of residue (rather than fresh oil) down both sides.

[Lazydocker]

It can hang around for a while

[henryd]

Brake cleaner is pretty good for removing residual oil from the engine,when engine is cold of course

[VR4Dave]

What I meant was the amount of oil. down both sides of the engine right down to the oil filter and below.
I've only seen the small amounts from a recent failiure, I was sort of seeking confirmation that if they've been leaking for a long time there could be loads of oil.
I will clean it all up when I fit new gaskets and clean the breathers.

[ninjapirate]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

[TheBoy]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

Nope, they don't. Ever.

Its a myth put about by incompitent mechanics who shouldn't be allowed near cars, trying to cover up their poor parts and poor workmanship.

[Entwood]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

Nearly totaly incorrect ...

Plastic covers do not "warp" .. they get "bent" by idiots overtightening the bolts.

New gaskets last a long time IF, and only IF, genuine Vx ones are used.

So, do the job properly .. no problems ... do it wrong ..... replace in a few months ..

[VR4Dave]

Yes, I did the ones on my mv6 about 3-4 months ago and used genuine gaskets and tightened only to 8nm and they're fine. I've now got an elite as well and cam covers are leaking out of evrey o ring and round the edges. I just thought that the oil staining would remain local to the top of the engine as it is not flowing as such more of a weep.
But thinking about it it will quite easily cover the engine over time.

[Mr Hagon]

On mine I have seen oil work its way down all the way to the sump from what I assume was the cam cover gaskets as the source of the leak.

Once the gaskets had been done I was still losing oil, so I had to clean the block to find out that it was the oil pressure switch that was the remaining source of oil loss.

[ninjapirate]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

Nope, they don't. Ever.

Its a myth put about by incompitent mechanics who shouldn't be allowed near cars, trying to cover up their poor parts and poor workmanship.

ahh i see, i had oil leaks on my omega v6, took it in to have new gaskets fitted, it still leaked so got two new covers from vx, leaks fixed, didnt relise it was down to mechanics over tightening them! 

[VR4Dave]

thanks mr hagon, that was the answer i was looking for. 

[Lazydocker]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

Nope, they don't. Ever.

Its a myth put about by incompitent mechanics who shouldn't be allowed near cars, trying to cover up their poor parts and poor workmanship.

ahh i see, i had oil leaks on my omega v6, took it in to have new gaskets fitted, it still leaked so got two new covers from vx, leaks fixed, didnt relise it was down to mechanics over tightening them! 

Did they fit genuine Gaskets? The pattern ones are (generally) shite and don't last. Genuine Vx have happily gone 60k/4 years on my saloon and were just starting to weep when it went

[VR4Dave]

Just removed the cam covers and i now know why there is so much oil round the block, gaskets and o rings are hard as rock and 7 out of the 16 bolts for the covers were so loose i undid them with fingers. I know that they shouldn't be tight but that was ridiculous!
4 plug wells were full of oil too.
Mental note, don't go to the garage that previous owner used as they haven't spotted leaks and they must have been leaking for a long time.

[MutantCav]

On my last car the oil filled all 6 plug wells beyond the height of the plugs...was still running perfectly and pulled like a train...I probably should have got round to it a bit earlier though lol

[ninjapirate]

do they still have the plastic cam covers? they warp and just leak all the time. new gaskets dont last long.

Nope, they don't. Ever.

Its a myth put about by incompitent mechanics who shouldn't be allowed near cars, trying to cover up their poor parts and poor workmanship.

ahh i see, i had oil leaks on my omega v6, took it in to have new gaskets fitted, it still leaked so got two new covers from vx, leaks fixed, didnt relise it was down to mechanics over tightening them! 

Did they fit genuine Gaskets? The pattern ones are (generally) shite and don't last. Genuine Vx have happily gone 60k/4 years on my saloon and were just starting to weep when it went

tbh im not sure, it was a few years ago, i bought the car, then noticed teh leaks, it went in on warranty (was old but as far as im concerned if your a trader it has to be fit for purpose) they done the gaskets, it then carried on to leak, i was told due to the cam covers warping which i replaced, he sourced his own gaskets iirc unless they cam with the cam covers, then it was all done and fine. it had done a good 160k miles so could well of been over tightend and stuff over the years.