changed rocker gasket.. leaked all oil

[whileoceanasleeps]

hey,

i did my first rocker gasket change today, bought the correct gasket and fitted it. wasn't a cheapo one either. i didn't have a torque wrench so i couldn't tighten to 10nm or whatever but searched the net for advice and tightened each 6 nuts to the same tightness by hand.

first i left the engine idling for about 5 mins, all ok. then went for a drive and after 15 mins i stopped after smelling burning rubber. opened the bonnet and oil had pissed out from the back right corner of the rocker cover and the dipstick was empty 

i haven't taken the cover off to have a look - will do this tomorrow - but was just wondering if anyone had any idea why this would have happened besides the obvious - torque setting - was pretty sure all nuts were equally tight. also the burning rubber smell is odd.. would have thought a gasket could withheld hot oil as that's it's job!?

[itavaltalainen]

what do you mean with back right? cambelt or gearbox side?
is the rocker cover straight, they sometimes warp...?

did you clean it well and made sure bits of old gasket were not stuck to it?

have a look here.... there is a link to a guide with photos for the 1.8 but essentially it is the same for all "large" 4 cylinder VWs from the 90ies:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=229781.0

[whileoceanasleeps]

what do you mean with back right? cambelt or gearbox side?
is the rocker cover straight, they sometimes warp...?

did you clean it well and made sure bits of old gasket were not stuck to it?

have a look here.... there is a link to a guide with photos for the 1.8 but essentially it is the same for all "large" 4 cylinder VWs from the 90ies:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=229781.0

that's helpful.. thankyou. i didn't clean the surfaces or grease/oil the gasket when i fitted it, maybe this is the cause. i'm guessing i'll need a new gasket?

[whileoceanasleeps]

oh and it had leaked from the back corner on the dizzy/gearbox side. will check if the cover is straight, should be tho!

[itavaltalainen]

gasket - if it has deep impression from dirt or old bits of gasket then you might need a new one... just have a look at it.

cover could get bent if you had large bits in there and tightened bolts quite a bit too hard. but sounds like you haven't done that so should be fine (use a straight edge to check if in doubt).

use a little bit of fine sandpaper if you got a lot of oil coal stuck to the head or cover sealing surfaces. don't go mental thou, you don't want to scratch it.
then clean surfaces with brake cleaner or engine cleaner till they are fairly shiny but as it says in the guide don't spray the sh!t on the cambelt... spray on cloth and then wipe.

[whileoceanasleeps]

gasket - if it has deep impression from dirt or old bits of gasket then you might need a new one... just have a look at it.

cover could get bent if you had large bits in there and tightened bolts quite a bit too hard. but sounds like you haven't done that so should be fine (use a straight edge to check if in doubt).

use a little bit of fine sandpaper if you got a lot of oil coal stuck to the head or cover sealing surfaces. don't go mental thou, you don't want to scratch it.
then clean surfaces with brake cleaner or engine cleaner till they are fairly shiny but as it says in the guide don't spray the sh!t on the cambelt... spray on cloth and then wipe.

thanks - i'll take the cover off, clean surfaces and if the gasket's ok i'll refit. hopefully will be ok. will let you know how i get on thanks

[whileoceanasleeps]

found out the problem..gasket wasn't seated correctly in the raised part around the cams! all good now thanks for the help!

[itavaltalainen]

great you got it sorted!!