Rocker Cover Gasket replacement

Hi - I have to change one of my Atmo rocker cover gaskets to stop oil leaking into the alternator and onto the exhaust.

Only had a quick glance so far but it seems a simple enough job (any "gotcha's" I should know about ??) but are there any specific torque settings for tightening the bolts?

Cheers!

Simon.

No gotchas ..........just nit them up evenly ,screwdriver type force IYSWIM .It's just stopping splashes of oil .

if you still have the 3mm allen key headed bolts then ditch them and buy some new M7 bolts from your local fastener shop.

hmm..I suspect it is easier to seal on a turbo. replacing the gaskets is pretty easy - but getting a good seal can be awkward on an atmo (in my limited experience)
The Atmo rocker covers are 'pressed' rather than 'cast' (as on the turbo) so you do need to be a bit careful - the covers can bend if you overtighten. Mine had slightly bowed flanges (no-one likes that) - and took a few attempts to seal properly. Avoid overtightening as it will deform the covers.

The LHS is a doddle..start with that one (if you do both)...the RHS is a little more tricky to access. (water pipes and heatshields get in the way) loosen heatshields - a bit messy, RHS requires some nimble fingers.
I remember removing the big rubber RHS coolant pipes - (a good excuse to drain/flush the gunge from the cooling system)...then put a bung/rag in any water pipes to stop any potential mishaps later (when the covers come off)
..then do the gasket work..then refit/refill cooling pipes (with mainy water - just in case you don't get a gasket seal - and need to repeat). Fire her up..Test the gasket. If ok. then drain/refill with correct coolant mix. (and hopefully you will have no oil (or new coolant ) leaks now.

(there have been posts on flushing/refilling the cooling on a GTA - have a search. If you want to flush the coolant/rust out..then the hints I remember.
- there is a bleed valve (rubber hose with a screw top) on the radiator which you can reach from the side.
-various techniques for flushing out the system involving garden hoses
-rad collects gunge in the bottom as the in/out pipes are halfway up - put a running garden hose into the rad to flush this out.

Jesus.....flushing out, hoses!!! Alpine colonic irrigation!!!

You must buy atmo rocker cover gaskets from Renault because they rely on the rubber type ones. The fibre ones will not seal. Don't overtighten or you'll split the new gasket. Trust me it does a lot more than protect against splashes..... seen fires resulting from a piddling rocker cover leak.

I've learnt the hard way to give up with rocker and timing cover gaskets and just use RTV. PRV assembled all the 3 litre engines like this as far as I've seen.

Jesus.....flushing out, hoses!!! Alpine colonic irrigation!!!

I suppose it is really - both are designed flush sh*te out of hard to access places!!

Something that is easier on a Turbo

If you were to chance the rocker covers for cast ones and used RTY, that'd be easier If anyone wants to do this, I've got several spares because this is exactly the same as a DeLorean then. I also have several ATMO style pressed steel ones in good nick looking for a good home.

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.

RHS done this morning - no problems - and no leaks after a quick drive. Was a little concerned when I started her up and smoke started pouring out when the manifold and exhaust got warm - turned out just to be burning off oil that had dripped during the couple of weeks she's been parked up.

WIll do a few more miles over the weekend to make sure it's sorted. The old gasket was very brittle - but could, for all I know, have been on the engine since the car left the factory.

The LHS is seeping ever so slightly but not causing a problem at the moment - I have a new gasket and I'll replace that one pretty soon.

Cheers.

Simon.

[Alpineandy]

While you've got it off it's probably a good time to check the tappets.