|
| Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | Air Dried Fresh Beef Dog Food | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
|
#1
01-23-2004, 08:13 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Rocker Arm Cover (aka Valve cover)
After completing the cooling system revamp today I was stoked to work on the Jeep some more. I have had a small oil leak problem for a long time and noticed it again today. I think it may be coming from the "rocker arm" cover and running down the engine. I say this because the oil doesn't seem to be driping directly from anything but a crossmember and the plate. It kinda moves around. I've never seriously looked at it but after being in the engine compartment for three days (I went slow on the work I did so it was right the first time).
Anyway, here is my question...is a leak from this source something that happens? If so the book I have says that cover has a gasket seal built on it. This is a first for me as all the other cars I've owned had a gasket you had to buy under there and replace. Is this true? Well I imagine it is, but I just wanted some background or experiences before I plan to do this. Do you just pull the cover, clean everything, then run a bead of silicon gasket and put it back down? Any gotchas to look out for? it seems like a pretty simple procedure... Thanks! 
|
|
#2
01-23-2004, 08:39 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The valve cover gasket is prone to leak just because of old age.
Just take out all the bolts, pull the cover off, clean the mating surface on the cover and head very thoroughly, clean and paint the old valve cover if you plan on reusing it, apply some rtv to a new valve cover gasket, and bolt it back on. Its really easy and should only take about 5-10 minutes if you arent gonna repaint.
__________________
|
|
#4
01-23-2004, 09:31 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Just go to Napa or where ever and ask for a valve cover gasket for your jeep. Its should be about $6.
__________________
|
|
#5
01-23-2004, 09:41 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Do you know what the torque spec is for the bolts when I reinstall them? The manual states to torque to spec but fails to say what that is!
__________________
John Harris http://www.electra225.com "Problems are just solutions in work clothes"
|
|
#6
01-23-2004, 09:48 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
There isn't a torque spec cause its just a valve cover. Just make sure the bolts are secure. I just used an opposite cross pattern like when tightening lug nuts on a wheel.
__________________
|
|
#7
01-24-2004, 12:03 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I found and checked my other book (I have a chiltons and a Haynes with a jeep shop manual on the way) and it had a torque spec of 55 inch-pounds or 6 newton-meters...It does not sound like alot but when I did valve cover gaskets in the past they never were very tight or you ended up breaking the seal...
__________________
John Harris http://www.electra225.com "Problems are just solutions in work clothes"
|
|
#8
01-25-2004, 12:33 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Do not overtighten the bolts or you will crack the cover and or get a leak at the gasket. Try a 1/4 inch ratchet and highten about as much force as you would use with a screwdriver.
|
|
#9
01-31-2004, 07:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Its impossible to get an exact torque because the gasket will compress as you tighten. You just have to use good judgement when tightening. I certainly used A LOT more than 55in/lbs, yet I have no cracked cover, no torn gasket, and not even a drop of oil has came out since. Its all about the guesstimation. But there is such a thing as too tight, dont get me wrong.
__________________
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
 |
|
|
