Replacing Rocker Cover Gasket

Hi Folks,

Could anyone offer a little advice on rocker gasket replacement on my LM? My LH gasket leaks (clearly has for some time judging by the stains on the cat underneath) and after a run the residual oil in the rocker area clearly pools and seeps through the lower edge of the joint - just a small amount, then stops but it's annoying! I have a new gasket, and I suspect that they are intended to be 'dry' fitted, but is there any merit in using any additional sealant to guard against future seepage? Also, what torque should the rocker bolts be tightened to - I just can't find any reference in the workshop manual.

Many thanks.

Paul T

I would put them on dry, or preferbly with the slightest smear of MS4 silicone grease (not adesive) as you may have to take the rocker covers off in the future, and you dont want to have to put new ones on each time you remove the covers.
When you say "rocker bolts", do you mean the cover bolts or the actual adjustable rocker bolts/nuts? If it is the cover bolts, are they the same as the GTA ie: large round flat head with an allen key slot?

John

Hi John,

Just the rocker cover bolts (hex head M7) around the rocker cover perimeter - not the adjusting bolts on the rocker assemblies. I'm not touching the clearances yet, they seem OK. Just can't find any reference to the rocker cover fixing bolts - maybe I'm missing something in the manual?

Paul

Hi Paul,

The bolts are different to mine but as the gasket is compressable I have never "torqued" them down, it would have to be such a small torque level anyway. What I do is run the bolts in untill they are seated, then give them a half to three quarters turn, that should be enough with new gaskets. Check once the engine has been running for a while and give them a tweak if necessary

John

Timing cover bolts torque wrench settings 15NM or 11 LBF ft

Timing cover bolts torque wrench settings 15NM or 11 LBF ft

Andrew,.....is this a typo?....as Paul is asking about rocker cover bolt torque, not timing cover bolts

John

Timing cover bolts torque wrench settings 15NM or 11 LBF ft

Andrew,.....is this a typo?....as Paul is asking about rocker cover bolt torque, not timing cover bolts

John

Thanks both. I'm guessing that the torque settings for the timing cover will be similar to the rocker cover (same M7 bolts/same alloy), so I can see where Andrew is coming from. My local dealer can't find a torque setting for the rocker cover bolts either, but suggested that around 12 lbft would be typical for rocker cover bolts - that's a fairly modest torque anyway so perhaps not far wrong.

I'll soon find out!

Paul T

Sorry its been a long day Renault recommend CAF4/60 thixo sealant a smear of to the new gaskets but i can find no ref to torque setting in engine book

Paul, there is a big difference in the gaskets between the timing cover and the rocker cover, the former is usually a paper one, whereas the rocker cover one is somewhat compressable, therefore more difficult to get a torque setting for, as it will keep changing as you go around the cover. In my view torque in this case is not that important, sufficient pressure to stop leakage is all that is required.

John