Rocker Box Cover (again... sorry!)

[shortbloke]

Hi all

Firstly, can I say what a brilliant site this is packed with a load of very useful information and from i've seen so far very friendly like minded T25 owners - so thanks for sharing your welth of knowledge so far!!!

I have a 1982 T25 Air Cooled 2L Petrol with an oil leak either side which thanks to this site and some rolling around under the van look 99.9% like its the Rocker Box Gaskets. Sorted! (or so I thought!)

Very silly question, but is there any trick to getting these covers off to replace the gaskets? I have been giving them a tug up and down and even a light tap with MC Hammer yet the rusty retaining bar doesn't want to budge at all!!

Do I just slap some 3-1 oil on the bar and wait a day then have another go or is there something else to try?

Please forgive me for repeating a frequently asked question but the Wiki aint working and it seemed from what I read to be such a simple task! DOH!!!!

Cheers

Mat

[Ian Hulley]

Insert screwdriver between spring and cover ... use leverage et voila, mange tout etc etc

Grease the new cork gaskets and refit.

Ian.

[shortbloke]

Insert screwdriver between spring and cover ... use leverage et voila, mange tout etc etc

Grease the new cork gaskets and refit.

Ian.

haha really is SIMPLES then!

I'didn't want to damage the rocker box by using excessive force or using the box for leverage etc??

Im planning on cleanning up all around the joins, then using Hylomar Gasket Sealer (non-setting) all the way round - sound ok?
E D I T - AND A NEW CORK GASKET (FORGOT TO MENTION THAT!) lol.

Will give it a bash tonight... cheers very much for the reply!!

[shortbloke]

Ok so I replaced the RH Rocker box gasket and thats sorted the oil and the retaining clip when back in with relative ease, happy with that.

BUT im having major problems with the LH Rocker Box Cover and the retaining clip.

The retaining clip was a major pig to get off (as mentioned before), I replaced the gasket, struggled using brut force and a screwdriver to eventually get it back on. But once on the leak remained. NOT HAPPY!

I assumed it might be the cover slightly out of shape so ordered a "new" one from VWHeritage but when received it looked out of shape (when looking across it, it was not straight/flush it looked twisted!?) but decided to try to fit it and again, major pain getting the clip back on and again still leaking from the bottom of the cover.

SO...
...any advice (PLEASE!!), as Im pulling my mohawk out and will soon be bald!!!
...Do you think its worth getting ANOTHER cover??
...Is there a good filler/sealent to "plug" the seals at the bottom where its leaking (Exhaust gum, High Temp Silicone, etc ?)
...Is it worth getting another clip??? If so where to get one from for - T25 1982 2.0L Air Cooled.


Thanks in advance guys and girls!

[Ian Hulley]

Clean all oil from all mating ( ) surfaces and apply a gasket sealant ... hylomar type substance .. and re-seal. I ended up using a silicone sealant* while the engine was 'mid oil change' to seal one of mine

*probably not recommended by the purists but may their b@lls turn square and rot at the corners ... it worked

Ian

[CovKid]

Agree with Ian. Bugs could do that too. Also the quality of the gasket makes a difference as well as the state of the spring and straightness of rocker cover.

[shortbloke]

Thanks Ian, thanks CovKid.

I used hylomar both times on the gasket and wiped down the cover and the head before applying the cover again, but didn't make much difference.

Im still convinced the spring it knackered due to the amount of force needed to get it on and off (the other cover / spring went on and off with completed ease!), uncovinced by my cover(s) too.

Does anywhere stock any new springs/retainers that you know of - can't find one anywhere!!

Gonna try running some gun gum paste along the "seam" at the bottom where its leaking and see what happens, put a little bit on and it seemed to help, the drip's not AS bad, if that dont work I'm gonna have to take it off AGAIN!

CovKid - Love your posts on painting with a roller - what an eye opener! Would never have believed it before this forum!!!
Once the oil leak is sorted (IF IT EVER IS!) thats next - bank holiday weekend = rust killing, filling and rub down, AVE IT!!

[Ian Hulley]

GSF and Just Kampers both sell the covers, springs and gaskets.

Ian.

[shortbloke]

Sadly no where seems to do the springs/retainers for the 2.0L Aircooled.

The guy on the phone said they can't get hold of the retainer clips for the 2.0L type 4 engine anymore?

They do sell bolt on rocker covers which they say are better - and logically if they bolt on then it eliminates a dodgy spring and go on as tight as you bolt them on, while not original maybe better in the long run?!

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/type_25 ... 14335.html

Anyone got any experience of these???

[shortbloke]

Clean all oil from all mating ( ) surfaces and apply a gasket sealant ... hylomar type substance .. and re-seal. I ended up using a silicone sealant* while the engine was 'mid oil change' to seal one of mine

*probably not recommended by the purists but may their b@lls turn square and rot at the corners ... it worked

Ian

Cheers Ian, took your advice in the end and got some Car Silicone sealer, tapped the edges of the cover out a little with a ball hammer (as it didn't fit too flush even without the gasket), fitted it and left it over night, but the spring back on and Roberts your mothers brother - and no more leaking rocker box!!! Thanks again!!!