Rocker cover gasket leaking again

[island dormy]

  Hi

 Has anybody used a rubber reusable valve cover gasket instead of the normal cork gasket? I know they are available I just cant find them right now.
I cant seem to get more than about 1000miles out of the cheap cork gaskets supplied these days before they start leaking.
 I glue the gasket to the lid let it sit for a day then install with a light film of grease on the bottom (in the vain hope of reusing it when checking the valves). I am not over tightening it.

  Thanks  Victor

[Craig T]

What engine are we talking here, the 6 pot or a 4 cylinder petrol?

You could try RTV sealant on it. Might come off the next time or just accept you need a new gasket each time the cover is removed.

Craig.

[Alan Drover]

It's usual to fit a new gasket each time the valve cover is removed.

[TimV]

Odd, I haven't changed the cover gasket, even though I've taken the cover off several times!

Perhaps you have another problem - blocked engine breather, excess crankcase pressure causing the gasket to blow.

Also check the base of the cover is flat - it might be warped or bent? Rub it over a flat surface.

[Gareth]

Are the rubber buffers under the caps on the 3 fittings in good condition? If not the domed nuts could be bottoming out before the cover is clamped in place properly.

[kellen302]

I'm not aware of any rubber gaskets available for the 2.6L but the silicone gasket for the 2 1/4 L is working great after a couple years of use for me. I might need to re-adhere part of it to the rocker cover, but the gasket itself is doing fine. Sticking it on initially required 3 hands because there are no locating ridges or grooves so it moved around before the RTV set.

[Rangieman]

Check that your rocker cover flange is actually flat. Overtightening can lead to distortion.

[Alan Drover]

At least Land Rovers have decent valve covers. I'm used to the cheap tinware fitted to BMC engines which leaked regularly because they easily distorted.

[geoff]

I once had a persistent rocker cover leak and couldn't sort it.

Eventually used rubber O ring cord and stuck it to the rocker cover with some " superglue "

The ends were scarfed of course

A few years back but recall it being 2mm cord

It worked and never had a leak again and could remove the cover and refit as often as wanted / needed and still be confident of no leaks.

After decades of running British vehicles I'd never had rocker cover leak troubles apart from this one vehicle, crazy ! The O ring cord trick does work well.

[island dormy]

  Hi

  Lots of good suggestions thanks.

 The cover is nice and straight, got to love those heavy aluminum valve covers.
 The breathers are not blocked.
 Its a 2.25 petrol.

  I did find out what's wrong, at least ( I think I have) the last 2 gaskets which have leaked after less than 1000 miles were very thin, I stopped at a Land rover buddies today and picked up a spare gasket he had in stock it was over twice the thickness of the last 2 I have used (B%$# Box).
 I have confidence this one will work as its supposed to.
I will glue the gasket to the valve cover, let it set up for a day then put a smear of grease on the surface that touches the head, which should in theory anyway allow me to remove it and reuse it in the future.

  Thanks  Victor

[whitehillbilly64]

I run Britpart cork rocker cover gaskets.
I have reused the same ones a few times.
Wheel bearing High Temp Grease both sides. Had no issues.
S3 one has 35,000klms on it.

whitehillbilly

[island dormy]

  Well the new thicker one seems to be working fine, off to a car show today, the last one of the season.
 Ill likely be the only Landrover.

  Victor