Can anyone tell me.....

[mk3valver]

Hi, I've just ordered a cam cover gasket and a haynes manual (just incase I get stuck doing it). Can anyone tell me whether the bolt's need torquing up? If so I'll need to order a wrench now. Cheer's, Matt

[Ben Lessani]

Not really. On the MK3 gasket if memory serves it is metal/rubber - so you can't really overtighten it.

The rule of thumb is hand tight and a nip past ~ 20Nm

[mk3valver]

Cheer's, what does 20Nm mean?

[Wayne]

You can and should torque them, however as long as they nipped up but not overtightened you will be fine.

[Ben Lessani]

Lol You just asked for torque settings, 20Nm is 20 newton metres, which is just about past hand tight.

If you do buy a torque wrench in the future, get one with a decent range. Mine steps from 30 > 270 Nm IIRC so it comes in handy a lot.

As above, remember the head is alluminium - so don't go nuts tightening it.

Where in Manchester do you stay? I'm sure I could loan you my torque wrench for 15 mins whilst you do it

[mk3valver]

Hi mate, sorry I've never used a torque wrenche before in my life! And I'm in stockport. Ive got my missus telling me to let the mechanic do it cos she recon's i'll f**k it up, he's fitting my exhaust on thursday I might just let him service it and do the gasket aswell, he said he'd do a major service for £115 so it shouldn't cost much more to do that aswell? Thanks for the offer!

[Ben Lessani]

What's he going to do for a £115 service? Check my dub thread's first post for a pretty comprehensive checklist for a major service.

Is yours the 16v or 8v? If its an 8v, its really quick and easy to change. Don't wimp out on the easy jobs, otherwise you'll never learn I changed my rocker cover gasket in 10 minutes on my lunch in work.

[mk3valver]

It's the 16v and I recon I have a pretty good idea how to do the full service! As far as I know he's doing everthing all filters plugs, levels and checking and adjusting the brakes the only thing I'm not sure that he's replacing is my h.t leads? But if he's not then the service isn't that cheap and I may aswell do it myself! (I've not asked about the cam gasket yet) I can get all the bit's for £69 from parts junction, I've already ordered my cam gasket for £12 of ebay. The only problem I have is I have nowhere to do it, I live in a mid terrace with no drive, I'd have to do it down the back passage which isn't ideal but it'd save me £45!

[Wayne]

As ben said to do the rocker cover on a 8v is easy.

[wil0]

use a torque wrench mate, i over tightened mine and sheered a bolt, spent an hour drilling it out. My dad never uses a torque wrench for almost anything, he claims that his mate who is an engineer never used to when they were rebuilding engines and stuff. im not convinced, i need one!