oil leak

[bengalcharlie]

Hi,

I write this message a second time because I lost it the first time
I do have a oil leak from the back of the head through the camshaft rubber seals.
In my case these plugs are made of hard plastic so I am not surprised they do leak.
Is this the normal material or are they supposed to be made out of rubber?
Secondly the cam cover gasket is made of cork. Are there other more durablematerials available?
If any of you could recommend a suplier in the US that would be appreciated
Cheers
Robin

[Dag-Henning]

Robin, the rubber half-moons can harden if they are old (!). Change them for some new ones. The cork under the camcover never causes me trouble, but check that your cover is flat and not distorted if you have leaks.

Dag

[bcmc33]

As Dag said, make sure the cover is flat.

Don't be tempted to over tighten - this will only make things worse.


Brian Clarke
(1972 Sprint)

[cabc26b]

US suppliers -

Dave Bean or RD entererprises will be able to help you with the parts.

[cabc26b]

US suppliers -

Dave Bean or RD entererprises will be able to help you with the parts.

[65 Lotus]

I've come across (3) different types of cam cover gaskets. One is cork impregnated with neoprene material, the next is (2) pieces of cork with a layer of aluminium sandwiched in between, and the last is a typical paper gasket material, but somewhat thicker than the garden variety stuff.

My preference is the first type, the cork impregnated with neoprene.

As for the half moons, even with new ones, I put a layer of blue silicone sealer between it and the head. Put on the goo, push into place lightly, remove excess sealant, then put on the cam cover and tighten finger tight with no gasket and allow sealant to cure overnight. No leaks.

A work of caution, check the fitment of new half moons before performing the above procedure. The most recent ones I obtained required the removal of about 1/16" of material across the top flat portion in order to get them to sit flush. I can see having them sit proud 0.015" or so for a bit of additional positive crush, but not 0.063". That's just going to damage the gasket.

[john.p.clegg]

Does anyone know anything about the metal replacement half moons? (there was a set on Fleabay recently).

John

[JJDraper]

I had a problem with a batch of half moons supplied in the UK. After about a year they became swollen and nearly popped out! The attached pictures demonstate the problem. I have no idea what the problem was, either with the bunrgs or what was circulating in my engine! The bungs have been replacedand the engine is still OK. I use Millers sport 20/50, so no real exotic lubricant which could have caused this.. Anyone else suffered?!

Jeremy

[SimonH]

That looks like the sort of thing that those 'stop leak' oil additives do to rubber parts.
They are designed to attack the rubber to make it swell slightly and seal again. Aimed at oil seals that have gone a bit hard due to age and lack of use but would do that to those half moons.

Its sometimes added to 'classic' branded oils, I have heard, to help older engine seals stay oil tight. Perhaps worth a call to Millers to ask.

[gjz30075]

I've used VW Rabbit half moons, which have a nifty flange that hangs down in the front and rear of the seal. One of the rears have to have the flange trimmed but overall, I think the flange provides a nicer seal.

[Emma-Knight]

...they might use unsuitable rubber types as well I''m affraid... especially when made in some 2 1/2 - world countries.
I wondered why the half moons were in close contact to the cam-sprocket wheel bolts!

Anna

[john.p.clegg]

And in U.K. terms......I've used "VW Rabbit" half moons, ....is VW.....?

John

Ready to get down to the VW dealers.......

[bcmc33]

The Rabbit was the US version of the European Golf.



Brian Clarke
(1972 Sprint)

[gjz30075]

Whoops, sorry about the name. I used Rabbit because the US got the Golf name later on. I wanted to differentiate. I think any water cooled VW from the '70s or '80s would do. Anyway, nifty little plugs.

[twincamman]

wait a minute =---- An oil leak---IN A LOTUS ????? you must be kidding ---- ed