Leaky 'S' Series

[Dean]

I know this is a common problem, but my 'S' series is leaking around the rocker covers. Just wondering what other owners on here have done to cure the problem?

Dean.

[SimonR]

Ah yes, that most perenial of problems: The leaking S-Series engine....

First thing to do is clear out the oil breather system. If it gets blocked, the resulting pressure will force oil out of those gaskets first. I know because I've seen it first hand! Take the breather pipes/separator off the car and wash them through with petrol/parafin/Gunk - anything to dissolve the emulsified oil.

Then, remove the cam-carrier covers, clean thoroughly the mating surface on the cylinder head and also the covers. Also check the covers to ensure they aren't warped. Apparently the early ones used to warp with the heat and Rover redesigned them to avoid this. If I remember correctly, your car has an early set of covers. You can tell because the later ones are ribbed, whereas the early ones have a flat top surface, one with an Austin Rover emblem in relief.

Buy a new set of gaskets, apply them to the covers first, ensuring a good fit, and then place the covers on the engine. Tighten the bolts gently and each a bit at a time to ensure that the covers go on straight. Very little torque is required, basically tighten the bolts until you see the rubber gasket compress slightly. The Haynes specifies a torque setting that is off the bottom of the scale on my wrench so it is a case of doing it by eye.

Finally, note that you do not need to use any jointing compound, it'll only make the rubber gaskets squidge out the sides.

[SimonR]

Early style cam carrier covers can (just about) be seen here (http://maestro.org.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1633)

Later ones here (http://pages.zoom.co.uk/wonkeydonkey/F153JUE/Restoration/EngineIn/Small/SunCarbSM.jpg)

Note that the later covers in the picture also have the oil filler for the later-type oil breather system. They're not all like that though...

[Simon]

Agree strongly with the above post. To further ensure leak free performance, smear a little RTV sealant on the mating faces of the covers before fitting them with the gasket and never use anything other than genuine gaskets obtained from the dealer.

[Dean]

Any idea how much a new gasket set is from Rover?

[B18 GPC]

Just the Rocker cover gasket?

About £1.03

[E_T_V]

That is for the A series though. The S series ones will likley be more expensive but give them a try and ask Rover pricing seems very strange at times.

[SimonR]

I seem to remember that the gaskets were around the £10 mark for both. If you have time, look for and purchase a gasket set on eBay, I have had a couple and each was under £5.

[Simon]

About £6-50 each if I remember corectly. You can only get the modified ones now, suitable for the later cover with the oil filler cap on it. This gasket has a flap of rubber incorporated into it which lies under the oil filler orifice. If I were you, I'd fit a later style right hand cover and oil filler, because it makes adding oil so much easier. The oil filler cap on the filler tube can remain closed, preventing damage to the O ring on the cap. You'll still need to remove the cap on the oil filler tube and replace it when a service is due, because it is a breather system consumable.