How to seal S/S2 cam cover?

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

This post is being written in slight frustration ... because I simply cannot seem to make a good seal around the edge of the cam cover on my S2. By 'cam cover' I mean the cast alloy plate with "PORSCHE" written on it in big letters that screws over the cam box with about 16 small screws.

It has always leaked a bit from the lower back corner (passenger side). I tried everything to stop it; dismantling it and cleaning it very carefully, new seal, assembling it dry, assembling it with a film of oil on it ... and nothing worked. It always leaked. About 2 years ago I bodged it with a thin film of clear plumbing silicone between the seal and the head, and that solved the problem! I was elated .... until yesterday when I realised the increasing engine oil leak I have was coming from the same place. I took the cover off again and the silicone has gone hard and brittle and the leak is back. So, I cleaned it all up, took all the silicone off and re-assembled ... and it's still leaking today. []

Does anyone have any helpful hints or tips? The face on the head is clean and smooth and has no appearance of damage. I guess it is possible that the cover (or indeed the head) is slightly warped but I think I'd know about it if it was (certainly I'd know if the head was warped). Every face is clean, and it always leaks from the same corner. Is there some helpful unguent or lotion or potion I should anoint the mating face with before putting it together? Or anything else I should be doing? The bolts are being done up in the same manner as head bolts, so tightening from the middle ones outwards, evenly. The manual says 10Nm torque is the required figure and my torque wrench doesn't go that low, but I can't think it's that critical, is it?

All suggestions welcome, thanks.


Oli.

 

[tref]

I know the official manual suggests a dab of sealant (the expensive Loctite stuff - That said, I had the bottle years now, and it keeps well) in four places. But I know your frustration - I have a similar persistent leak into No. 4 spark-plug tunnel - and I have a torque wrench which does go down to that level, and use it.

 

[zcacogp]

Oooh, what Loctite stuff is that Tref? Sounds like I need some.

(Unless regular Hylomar Blue is sufficient ... would that work?)


Oli.

 

[Eldavo]

I'm going to be pulling the cam tower at some point to have it painted/powder coated and have a Cometic MLS gasket to put back in there, steel core with a rubberised outer - I got it from Promax years ago, £40-50 IIRC so not cheap but might fix it for once and all?

 

[Monkeythree]

Oli I used Loctite 5922 which is a non-hardening liquid gasket compound or "flange sealant". Its black so even if you are a tad liberal in the troublesome areas, the overspill isn't reall noticable. You can get it in Hlafords.

 

[tref]

I think the stuff according to the manual (official Porsche one ) is 270 - it is a lovely orange colour - I wouldn't know what others might do the job I'm afraid.

 

[zcacogp]

Thanks chaps. Sounds like the Loctite 5922 is the stuff to get, particularly if you can buy it in Halfords - thanks M3.

I'm sincerely hoping this is the end of a very annoying problem!


Oli.

 

[zcacogp]

Right. I purchased a tube of black* gloop from Halfords (Loctite 5922), removed the cover, cleaned everything scrupulously with some meths, anointed the top surface of the head with the gloop and re-fitted the cover.

Fingers firmly crossed that will solve it. Thanks for the suggestion chaps. I'll keep this thread updated.


Oli.

* I'm not sure it was black - more a very, very dark green. But that's a minor detail.