Oil where it shouldn't be!

[mackenzie50]

Just been out to change my spark plugs on my 3b, nice day, got a list of simple things to do (cos I'm mechanically simple!),and to my dismay discovered on pulling out the leads they are dripping in engine oil and sparkplug 'wells' (ironic use of word)holding an alarming amount of oil..is this 'just' a rocker cover gasket job? Or anything more sinister?
cheers,in advance.

[Error404]

sounds like the rocket cover gasket to me

[Greg_S]

Most lilkely to be the rocker cover gasket. Id check your breather system isnt blocked up though as this might be causing pressure to build up and pushing oil through the seals too.

[mackenzie50]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys- cheers Will inspect the breather too.

[s2_bo]

If its the rocker cover gasket then it will be the inner seal which is a chain if rings that are supposed to seal the join at the spark plug wells. If you do replace it on your own make sure that when you refit it the new gaskets sit properly as its easy to get them slightly off and that results in more leaks..

To remove the rocker cover you also have to remove the throttle body and a few other bits and prices. It's not to bad a job though. As long as all the allen head bolts come out with out to much trouble.. If they don't and they round of you can hammer on a 12mm socket (iirc that's the size anyway) and wind them off that way. They vary in size so make sure you get the correct ones as replacements and don't over torque them.. I think 10nm springs to mind but maybe double check that..

[Error404]

10nm

[terrybullwon]

rocker cover?

[UrS4boy]

...and to my dismay discovered on pulling out the leads they are dripping in engine oil and sparkplug 'wells' (ironic use of word)holding an alarming amount of oil..is this 'just' a rocker cover gasket job? Or anything more sinister? cheers,in advance.

You need to replace your *Cam* cover gasket (there are no "rockers", it's not a push rod engine and the first thing that you see when you remove the cover is the intake and exhaust cams, not even the valves so it isn't a "Valve cover" either). The part you need it No. 17 in this diagram (includes the edge gasket as well as the ring gaskets that seal the spark plug wells):

[newsh]

Cylinder Head Cover

[mackenzie50]

Ho-ho..yes,I was slightly panicky at the time of posting and resorted to ye olde fashionde terminology which of course is incorrect ,but I've always tended to use it as I like it!! And that's my 'new thread' virginity lost too, phew.
Anyway,more importantly I'm very appreciative of the extra help in diagnosing and curing the fault.. will try next weekend to sort it. Cheers to all of you!

[newsh]

This is not unusual as the gaskets tend to harden with age, it happened on my 3B. Definitely worth checking the PCV system for leaks and blocked pipes though.

[K Simmonds]

Hey Col, is this why you tried to phone me yesterday? Sorry I missed your call I left my phone on my bench in the workshop.

Anyway, as above inner cam cover gasket will be the culprit. The PCV system should be inspected anyway as their are all at least 17 years old now if original. The one on my 1990 3B was blocked solid and had holes in it. Hence me spending a fortune on pipe and fittings to cure the problem once and for all.

The oil does your plug leads no good . So if you have time remove them from the plugs and give the boots on the end a really good clean inside and out with brake/part cleaner (can purchase in expensive spray can form) and if you can compressed air. If you do have access to compressed air squirt a good bit of brake cleaner down in each plug well, WITH PLUGS IN SCREWED INTO THE HEAD, and blast the gack out, preferably with a long blow gun. Do this carefully with a old towel held six inches or so away from the respective hole to try and keep mess to a minimum. Otherwise squirt some cleaner down there and clean them out with screw driver and a towel, take ages this way. And what ever you do, DON'T lever against the top of the plugs as your risk snapping the insulator.

This is only a short term fix, but your plug leads will thank you for it. Recently, when I first got my 16V Golf running I found there was at least an inch of oil in each well, one was nearly full. I cleaned as described above with the intention of changing the gasket ASAP, however I've not had time due to work so I though I'd better check to see what their like now I've covered 1500 miles in her. Took them out expecting to find loads of oil on/in them, however there were only traces on three of them, the worst one had enough to merit getting the air line out again.

Still, I'd change it ASAP if I were you, it's an easy job and one that can be tackled by a relative novice as long as you take your time. The gasket is not expensive, get a genuine one from TPS. If don't have access to TPS PM me, also I'm sure there are others on here with accounts a lot closer to you.

[mackenzie50]

Cheers for that ,Kit

[S2 EDS]

The engine everyone is talking about here is a 3B....

Are the part numbers the same for the ABY?

I HAVE DISCOVERED A SMALL LEAK THE BULK HEAD SIDE OF ENGINE. FRESH OIL COMING FROM THE SEMI-CIRCLEPOSITION ON DIAGRAM ABOVE AND THE CORNER RIGHT(LOW SIDE AS ENGINE TILTS TO OFFSIDE)

Can anyone advise? Oh and is Quattro Corner the best place to go?

[K Simmonds]

Pretty sure the ABY outer gasket is the same, the inner one, that seals the plug wells I'm not 100% on and would have to check before ordering. They come as a set anyway.

Quattro corner is a generally a great source of new OE parts, and Pete is a helpful chap.

If you have a friend with a TPS account give them a try. I had to a purchase a cam cover gasket set the other day and found they had shot up in price over the last three years. From @ 30 quid to a little under 50 with the dreaded VAT.