Working on engine still in the van...

[paologray]

Hi Guys

Can someone tell me please if I can get the rocker cover off my 2.0 Aircooled to tighten the head back down with the lump still in the van?

Cheers

Paul

[ghost123uk]

Simple answer = YES

It's just held on by a big metal clip.
You lever it upwards with a big screwdriver or similar.
Take care not to over stretch it though.
Best fit new gaskets too - they are cheap enough even from the VW dealers or from Brickwerks.

Does beg the question though (respectfully) that if you didn't know this, should you be re-torquing cylinder heads ?

Oh, and why do you need to do this ?

[paologray]

Well I think its popping out of the head and thru the spark plug hole in the tinware, the odd pop and a puff of smoke comes up through there... that would be it yeah...?

[Mr Bean]

Sounds too late for a simple tighten down. I got an idea you may need new gaskets. Others will advise on that. You can do quite a lot with the engine in situ probably more with an Aircooled athought there is a load of tinwork isn't there. I have a watercooled jobbie and was able to replace even the base seals by making sure the piston rings never escaped from the lower end of the barrel.
Cheers
Wolfie

[horizontal kipper]

All the tinware, heads,barrells etc can be removed from the 2ltr cu in situ if you dont want to take the engine out. Its fidley but have done it a few times.

[paologray]

Sounds too late for a simple tighten down. I got an idea you may need new gaskets. Others will advise on that. You can do quite a lot with the engine in situ probably more with an Aircooled athought there is a load of tinwork isn't there. I have a watercooled jobbie and was able to replace even the base seals by making sure the piston rings never escaped from the lower end of the barrel.
Cheers
Wolfie

Are there head/base gaskets on an Aircooled?

[horizontal kipper]

yes a metal sealing ring is fitted between the base of each barrell and the engine case, a metal sealing ring also fits inside the top of the heads that is unless your engine has the replacment AMC heads in this case you have to use without the head sealing ring and lap the heads to the barrell with fine valve grinding paste.

[Mr Bean]

yes a metal sealing ring is fitted between the base of each barrell and the engine case, .

Is thaat for the Aircooled. My Waterboxer has stretchy thin "O" ring seals at the base which could be carefully stretched ovrt the cylinder sleeves leaving the piston rings inside the bores. I guessed it would be easier that way.
Cheers
Wolfie

[horizontal kipper]

Yes thats on the Aircooled 2ltr, if you dont want to renew the base sealing rings you could lift the cylinders enough to coat the base of them with permatex sealing compound this will seal a broken sealing ring. Jim at stateside tunning sells it.