Straightsix Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 Hi All My head gasket appears to be weeping oil along the left side on my mk2 Vitesse I’m unsure whether a replacement head gasket was ever replaced by previous owner prior to my purchase but thought I’d first try re torquing the head. My question is, can it be done on a hot engine ? or best when cold, adjusting my valve clearances require engine to be hot. (non std cam) TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 I wouldnt do it hot as theres no figures for what the bolt torque should be then so you might exceed the rating when they cool down. How about measure your existing valve clearances cold (presumably theyre already set correct), retorque head and reset any changes afterwards? Think your rocker gear will have to come off but youre lucky a head torque can be done without removing the exhaust manifold unlike the MK1☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 Be very surevthatnots kit the rocker cover leaking! If you do retorque, in rotation asvgir first torquing, undo a quarterg urn then retoque. Then go over again with the wrench without undoing. Job done! (Except for replacing the rocker shaft) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 (edited) You will have to take the rocker assembly off to access all the nuts. I've just retorqued my MK2 head as John's post ie back off 1/4 turn and retorqued each nut in the correct tightening sequence. Don't loosen them all before tightening!! My bet is it's the cover, if it's the pressed steel type they warp like crazy. Squeeze a thick bead of Hylomar in the cover groove then after a few minutes fit the cork gasket to the cover and place it on a flat surface. I used the kitchen worktop then pleaded for forgiveness. Place a couple of kilos weight on the cover so all the cork is flat on the surface and wait half an hour or so for the Hylomar to set. You now have a perfectly flat cork surface to seal onto the head and also a good cork to cover seal. Iain Edited September 14 by Iain T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightsix Posted September 14 Author Report Share Posted September 14 Thanks for your replies. l have adjusted the valve clearances in the past and to be honest I wasn’t aware of any oil seepage before hand. It has an alloy cover with neoprene gasket. To the best of my knowledge I can’t see any evidence of seepage past the gasket. I have read about applying flour or talcum powder around the area to trace for leaks, so I guess that’s worth a go, if not it’ll smell nice. i am trying to love this Vitesse…honest. 🤬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 wow it can get a lot worse than that🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 the talc is a good start so you know exactly where the oil seepage is coming from then you tackle the right problem not chase your tail . the side of the head can be leaky many use a smear of sealer along this unsupported part of the head rocker gaskets be they cork rubber or flat neoprene can make leaks you dont generally need sealer on a alloy + neoprene cover but it only takes a small graze or a bit of lost flatness and being the easiest to solve is my first check to resolve .and maybe add a smear of soft sealer . Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 12 hours ago, johny said: wow it can get a lot worse than that🤣 Mine, yesterday, after 40 miles driving at 60 mph. Not my legs, but my oil!! If that's the rocker cover it's getting through a thick cork gasket sealed to an alloy rocker cover. The sump has also been hammered flat around the edges and sealed on both sides of the gasket with a good engine sealant. Sadly at the next stop I topped the oil up and spilled some down the rear of the engine so had no chance of spotting the cause. It's engine oil rather than gearbox. I'm still investigating, it always drips oil after use but that's the worst it's ever been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 Come on colin thats taking corrosion protection too far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 do the finger test a quick dip pongs of cats pee clean oil is gearbox black sooty smells is engine oil dont forget to wipe the pinkies Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted September 15 Report Share Posted September 15 Timing chain cover or engine front block? My cork gasket used to do a good impression of a beached Torrey Canyon. After a run about a tea cup of oil would dribble into the catch tray. Now after fitting the cork correctly it's just the occasional drip. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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