TheSamba.com :: View topic - Valve Cover Gaskets

Wed Feb 12, 2014 12:52 am

Gonna adjust the valves on a '70 Beetle this weekend. Got cork gaskets from a local VW shop. He recommended to use RTV which I have read online to absolutely not do. The VW resource says to use wheel bearing grease lightly on each side of gasket. What to do?

Wed Feb 12, 2014 1:17 am

Me, I glue them to the valve covers. I use Permetex "Hi-Tack" normally for this, but Permetex Aviation or Permetex #2 also are good for that. Between the gasket and the head, I use nothing. Some people grease or oil the gasket there, that's OK.

-Andy

Wed Feb 12, 2014 3:05 am

nickfancher1 wrote: The VW resource says to use wheel bearing grease lightly on each side of gasket. What to do?

This method works perfectly.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 6:16 am

I've never used sealant. I use cork only, from BAP locally. I think you're worrying too much...

If I get a gasket that droops a little at the top, then I put a little Permatex Aviation at the top center of the valve cover side. I've never had leak issues there.

If I DID choose to use anything, I'd use the Permatex only on the valve cover side....

Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:09 am

I soak my cork gaskets in water while doing the adjustment, It swells the gaskets. Then a lil grease on both sides. Make sure your bales are correct so that the covers are tight.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 8:59 am

I don't use anything. Haven't had leak problems with either the rubber or the cork gaskets. At each valve adjustment I wipe everything down so all the surfaces are clean. About once a year I'll replace the gaskets with new ones. Stock valve covers and heads, and tight bales.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 3:32 pm

I'm going to test out a set of re-useable silicone ones that Wolfsburg West sells. They guarantee no leaks.

So--hey--I'll give them a shot.

Tim

Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:19 pm

I have had my valve cover gaskets get sucked in and cause leaks. I welded tabs on mine to keep this from happening and haven't had a leak since.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:56 pm

toddb_67 wrote: I have had my valve cover gaskets get sucked in and cause leaks. I welded tabs on mine to keep this from happening and haven't had a leak since.

I think that's a great idea !

Wed Feb 12, 2014 5:50 pm

toddb_67 wrote: I have had my valve cover gaskets get sucked in and cause leaks. I welded tabs on mine to keep this from happening and haven't had a leak since.

Little things of beauty like this make me think, 'I really should learn to weld.' Brilliant!

Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:04 pm

robwa10 wrote: toddb_67 wrote: I have had my valve cover gaskets get sucked in and cause leaks. I welded tabs on mine to keep this from happening and haven't had a leak since.

Little things of beauty like this make me think, 'I really should learn to weld.' Brilliant!

I knew I wasn't the only one to think of this, XD. I always thought why VW didn't do this origionally, but it later occurred to me that the gaskets they had back then most likely were complete shit like today :D

oh, and I never use anything. I just dab a bit of oil from the heads on both surfaces of the gasket, otherwise if I put them on dry, they stick to the head and valve cover, and it tears a bit off, which I have to scrape off. I've never had any leaks. Just make sure your bails are still stiff. if someone prys them off to hard (over-extends them), they loose they're tension. for me, if I can clip them on by hand, they are no good. If I don't have any extras, i'll take some vise grips and put a bend or two on each arm, which shortens it a bit making it tighter. but otherwise I just replace them.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:37 pm

Thanks, how long should I wait before driving it? A few hours or good to go?

Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:40 pm

If the cover is warped you had better use some high temp permatex.

Wed Feb 12, 2014 11:19 pm

The main reason I glue mine into my covers is that I started having issues many years ago when the good Sabo brand gaskets stopped being available and the replacements just were not as good. Before then I never glued them in. I've seen good and not-so-good ones in the years since... sometimes they look good enough that they'd probably be OK without doing that, but I just don't want to risk it. Also, I did blow an engine once after a valve cover sprung a leak on the freeway, and the first indication I got that this had happened was a loss of power at the same time as my oil light came on - by then it was too late, it was way overheated and nearly seized. :cry:

Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:24 am

I clean all the oil off, and install a new cork gasket dry.

No leaks.

I change them every 6k miles. ($1 per gasket)

Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:26 am

Mr.Duncan wrote: I clean all the oil off, and install a new cork gasket dry.

No leaks.

I change them every 6k miles. ($1 per gasket)
I use Permatex Aviation to "glue" them to the valve cover and apply the other side dry. I reuse them a number of oil changes and replace them maybe every 3rd or 4th time.

Never a leak.

Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:48 am

Glenn wrote: Mr.Duncan wrote: I clean all the oil off, and install a new cork gasket dry.

No leaks.

I change them every 6k miles. ($1 per gasket)
I use Permatex Aviation to "glue" them to the valve cover and apply the other side dry. I reuse them a number of oil changes and replace them maybe every 3rd or 4th time.

Never a leak.

Only reason I change mine "early" is I'm paranoid and just "for shits and giggles"

Just like how I change my oil at 2k miles.

And my trans-axle fluid at 10k miles.

I over maintenance. Lol. :roll:

Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:09 am

I cleaned covers well and installed new gaskets with 4 spots of high temp red silicone just to hold it to cover when removed and keep aligned for installation. Good to date.

Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:35 am

I use the cork gaskets. I clean both metal surfaces and never use any glue or grease. Never a leak. Check them when you do a valve job. If they seem to be getting hard replace them.

Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:36 am

nickfancher1 wrote: Thanks, how long should I wait before driving it? A few hours or good to go?

After EVERY oil change or maintenance like this, run the engine a few minutes and check for leaks. So a few minutes. After the first "trip" check again for oil leakage on the VW and/or the ground.

A good habit is to eyeball underneath your vehicle for leakage on the ground as you approach the vehicle...