Rocker cover gasket for your car

Protection of the camshaft thanks to the cylinder head cover gasket The cylinder head cover gasket, also called "valve cover gasket", is the engine's top sealing. It protects the valve train located beneath it from penetration by dirt particles and ensures the oil stays in its place. Of all potential oil system leaks, the cylinder head cover gasket is the easiest to repair. It must not be confused with the cylinder head gasket. Its replacement is far more complex. Position and function of the valve cover gasket The valve cover gasket sits atop the cylinder head, on top of the camshaft and the valve train. It seals the valve cover or rather cylinder head cover to prevent the lubricating oil from escaping. Over time, the heavy engine vibrations and temperature variations can cause the valve cover gasket to become leaky. Its replacement is usually very simple and can be quickly mastered, even by a layman. Valve cover gasket defects In most cases, a leaking valve cover gasket can't be overlooked. The oil visibly leaks out of it and runs down the engine block. If unsure, a prior cleaning of the engine can help detect and locate the leak. However, this requires visiting a wash box in which an engine wash is permitted, otherwise one might break the law under certain circumstances. Repairing the valve cover gasket Valve cover gaskets are made of rubber or cork. In many engine types, both designs can be used. However, this may cause problems: Valve cover gaskets made of cork require special bolts. They are provided with a central thread lock. This serves to prevent the seal from breaking under the pressure when tightening the screw. However, if a rubber gasket is installed with these bolts, then the pressure is insufficient and the oil escapes along the entire gasket. Thus, if switching from a cork seal to one made of rubber, the studs must also be replaced. They are simply screwed into the cylinder head and unscrewed with the help of two consecutively bolted nuts. You should be always careful when replacing the studs. Damaged threads are very difficult to repair. The valve cover is taken off, whereupon the old gasket is removed completely. The volts must be loosened in a specific order while the engine is cold. If the bolts are simply unscrewed in sequence while the engine is hot or warm, the valve cover can warp and thus no longer ensure a tight seal. The old gasket is to be removed completely. A chisel, a sharp carpet knife or a fine-grain sandpaper can be helpful here. Attention must be paid to avoid scratching or notching the cover! This is particularly important when cleaning. The sealing surface at the cylinder head must also be completely freed from the old gasket, otherwise leaks can occur at these points. The new gasket is rubbed with oil and stuck onto the studs. Next, the valve cover is reassembled and tightened in the prescribed manner using the nuts. It is highly recommended to gradually tighten the nuts in a crosswise order. This means that after tightening a bolt, the one diagonally opposite of it is to be tightened. Three or four passes in which the torque is gradually increased will help achieve a uniform fit. Thus, the effect of the new valve cover gasket is guaranteed. However, one must never exceed the tightening torque permissible for the gasket. In many models, the cover seal is mounted amazingly loose. The manufacturer information must be adhered to here. Quality gasket by a brand manufacturer Gaskets are simple but important components. The valve cover gasket is indeed fairly simple to replace. Yet, if it becomes defective, the pollution that may result can have a very destructive effect on other auxiliary units and components. If, for example, the engine oil makes its way into the generator, it can damage it. A complete engine failure can also occur as a result of oil spilling onto the toothed belt drive. In this case, the belt could skip and cause valve or piston damage. Therefore, one should not save when it comes to the quality of the cylinder head cover gasket. The price of cylinder head cover gaskets varies depending on their design and material. However, even the most expensive seal by an established manufacturer, for example, FEBI BILSTEIN, seldomly costs more than 25 euro. The permanent repair of this gasket should absolutely be worth this investment.