Slight Oil Seepage

[Markbhai]

I have noticed a very slight oil seepage on the top of the rocker cover. It is coming from under the last bolt (the one nearest the firewall).

Can anyone advise what might be causing this?

I haven't noticed any other issues.

Mark.

[66andBlue]

Where exactly is the oil accumulating? In the door jamb our outside?
Anyway, one possibility is that the joint where the oil pressure capillary enters center cluster instrument is leaking. The oil will drip down into a groove below, flow towards the door and eventually seep down along the door jamb.
Don't ask me why I know this!  

Irrelevant reply, please ignore.

[jameshoward]

I think Maek is talking about seepage from one of the three bolts that hold down the rocker cover. I get slight seepage from them if they aren't sufficiently tightened down. Give the bolt a turn or so. It should sort it. Check you have the right washer there.

[hkollan]

Mark,

Try replacing the seal ring under the bolt were its seeping, (or all three)
It is a washer that is best replaced once it's been used to avoid seeping.
It gets crushed when tightened down, so it's not really reusable.
Part number is N915035 000003.

Hans

[awolff280sl]

the rocker cover bolts are torqued at 3-5 NM

[stickandrudderman]

Another case of two countries divided by a common language!
Rocker cover in the US is sill cover in the UK.
Rocker cover in the UK is valve cover in the US.

[66andBlue]

Thanks for the explanation Stick, it sure helps to know what we are talking about. 

[garymand]

Funny, take a 13mm box end and stug it up!  While you are at it, equally snug the other two.  The washers are copper and take a lot of abuse before they need replacement.  I've had my cover off maybe 6 times without replacing the washers.

How does 'snug it up' translate to UK English?

[stickandrudderman]

Do it up to "NVT" on the torque wrench!

[Markbhai]

Thanks guys.

Sounds like nothing much to worry about. A bit of a bolt tightening should do it.

Thanks.

M.

[Raymond]

I agree with using a torque wrench.   I saw an old mechanic once tighten the bolts evenly and then give each a moderate rap with a hammer.  He said he did that to compensate for any previous gorilla who had over-tightened a bolt and possibly distorted one of the brackets the bolts thread into.  Seemed silly to me but the seal didn't leak.  It's also important to be sure there wasn't a bit of grit on the mating surfaces between the gasket and the cover or head.

I have a bit of seepage over the #6 spark plug.  The oil is seeping through the threads of the valve adjuster directly above.  That's a life lesson about using thread sealer when reassembling.