Rocker gaskets arhhgg!!

[Ryan]

Whats the secret to getting rocker gaskets to seal properly? They seem to always bloody leak, even after I put Loctite flange sealant on it.

[Bazza-NZ]

 Ryan said:

Whats the secret to getting rocker gaskets to seal properly? They seem to always bloody leak, even after I put Loctite flange sealant on it.

Doing it like the manual says? Add some gasket glue in certain parts

And also replace those washer to ensure you get a good seal, (yes they are like 7 bucks each )

and only use genuine rocker cover seals

[Guest SPANKU]

where is it leaking from? what part of the cover?

[Treecrusher]

Use genuine parts, not repco knock offs, and replace the gasket, rubber washers and half moons. I did it once the cheap way and it leaked like a sieve, used genuine parts the second time and it worked like a charm.

[Ryan]

Hmm maybe aftermarket is my problem then, used the ones that came with my top end gasket kit. Would the original ones work if I used gasket sealant (i think they're original, at least they didn't leak) or would they be too screwed? Kinda need it fixed urgently, otherwise yep it'll have to be original.

 SPANKU said:

where is it leaking from? what part of the cover?

Mostly from the spark plug rocker seals.

[Treecrusher]

Don't know about using second hand ones. But I do know there is a marked difference between OEM and repco knock offs. I compared the two side by side and the repco ones weren't anywhere near as good.

[Ryan]

Yeah I got mine thru STA Parts, made/distributed by PermaSeal/NZ Gaskets. Any idea how much OEm are, and where from?

[Treecrusher]

It was a while ago now but I think it was about $150 for everything.

Just go to your local Subaru dealer, our one in christchurch is Armstrong.

[Drunkenmonkey]

give boostin a pm he will sort ya out

[Bazza-NZ]

Its about 25 bucks per rocker cover gasket....

but I'd highly recommend doing the lot to get a truly good seal

gaskets, washers etc.. Set me back about $135 all up the last time i did it

[Ryan]

Anyone tried using Grey Max?

[ReubenH]

Dunno, but i got a nearly full tube of three-bond here, plenty to go around.

Do get genuine parts, and get the little washers, and the half moons too. I didn't get the half moons when i did mine, and they later cracked and leaked. Had to re-do the seals all over again...

[Shale]

Also. As we found out from Repco, the aftermarket seals are sh!t and leak from the get-go.

[ReubenH]

Oh yeah, we actually had an employee tell us that, they said just go genuine.

[cpt kernow]

ditto.

Did the genuine route when i did my leaky oil pump last year. Not a drop since (except the sump bolt, cos I banged it on a rock)

Just to rub it in

[Ryan]

I pulled out the old (non-genuine) gaskets and compared them to the original genuine ones, the aftermarket are much thicker to the point where they squash out the side when you bolt the covers down. I put the old genuine ones back in with lots of Grey Maxx and they're mint now. By the way, rocker covers can be done with the engine still in the car, just undo engine mount nuts and lift up each side of engine.

[Treecrusher]

 Ryan said:

I pulled out the old (non-genuine) gaskets and compared them to the original genuine ones, the aftermarket are much thicker to the point where they squash out the side when you bolt the covers down. I put the old genuine ones back in with lots of Grey Maxx and they're mint now. By the way, rocker covers can be done with the engine still in the car, just undo engine mount nuts and lift up each side of engine.

Thats great, but who the hell ever said you had to take the engine out to do rocker cover gaskets. You don't even have to undo engine mounts or lift the engine. I have done them in-situ, without any problems at all.

[Ryan]

Ah ok just something I heard

[Shale]

It's something a lot of anti-Subaru knobs like to pass around - that they suck because you have to yank the engine to do anything 'Spark plugs' is the one that they always drag out!

[Bazza-NZ]

If i was to do a major service on my car (i.e - spark plugs, cam seals, rocker cover gaskets eg the works), and had the use of the engine crane i'd pull the engine out as its a pretty simple 1 hour out, 1 hours back in job... and would make life so much easier

if it was a minor service, i just leave the thing in...

[Swindog]

Boxers are one of the easiest motors to work on. The other is the early mini 1275gt...you just pluck that wee sucker right out and bingo.

[Treecrusher]

 Shale said:

It's something a lot of anti-Subaru knobs like to pass around - that they suck because you have to yank the engine to do anything 'Spark plugs' is the one that they always drag out!

It sucks how subarus have that stigma. My inlaw's mechanic hates them and takes pleasure in telling the mother inlaw how un-reliable they are, which then transfers to my other half. It has taken about 8 subarus over 5 years without any major problems (we'll forget to mention the third gear failure in my last one) to prove him wrong.

I believe it is a measure of a descent mechanic; asking him what he thinks of subarus. A mechanic that has the aptitude to work on something that is a bit different without complaining, in my experience, is likely to be a good one.

What I usually say to nay sayers is: have you tried doing a cam-belt or replacing the back 3 spark plugs on a v6 vr4 lately?

[Guest itsgotgo]

hell i have done them without doing the engine mounts.

I have neanderthol hands too!

Its all about the way you hold your tounge

[DRFVDR]

 Treecrusher']

[quote name='Shale said:

It's something a lot of anti-Subaru knobs like to pass around - that they suck because you have to yank the engine to do anything 'Spark plugs' is the one that they always drag out!

/quote]

It sucks how subarus have that stigma. My inlaw's mechanic hates them and takes pleasure in telling the mother inlaw how un-reliable they are, which then transfers to my other half. It has taken about 8 subarus over 5 years without any major problems (we'll forget to mention the third gear failure in my last one) to prove him wrong.

I believe it is a measure of a descent mechanic; asking him what he thinks of subarus. A mechanic that has the aptitude to work on something that is a bit different without complaining, in my experience, is likely to be a good one.

What I usually say to nay sayers is: have you tried doing a cam-belt or replacing the back 3 spark plugs on a v6 vr4 lately?

Hell even doing a cambelt on a corolla,1st thing to remove is an engine mount and i am Like WTF

[Guest boostin]

 DRFVDR']

[quote name='Shale said:

It's something a lot of anti-Subaru knobs like to pass around - that they suck because you have to yank the engine to do anything 'Spark plugs' is the one that they always drag out!

/quote]

It sucks how subarus have that stigma. My inlaw's mechanic hates them and takes pleasure in telling the mother inlaw how un-reliable they are, which then transfers to my other half. It has taken about 8 subarus over 5 years without any major problems (we'll forget to mention the third gear failure in my last one) to prove him wrong.

I believe it is a measure of a descent mechanic; asking him what he thinks of subarus. A mechanic that has the aptitude to work on something that is a bit different without complaining, in my experience, is likely to be a good one.

What I usually say to nay sayers is: have you tried doing a cam-belt or replacing the back 3 spark plugs on a v6 vr4 lately?

Hell even doing a cambelt on a corolla,1st thing to remove is an engine mount and i am Like WTF

Or a waterpump on a RAV4 with ABS. The f'n ABS pump has to come out!!

Subbies are easy. Its just a pity big ends are so common.