How to replace the rocker gasket

1. dynebaruk Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 Bridgend Posts: 1098 Golf GTI 1.8 turbo

   #1 2nd July 2008, 17:01

   Just thought I'd write up a how-to for replacing the rocker gasket on the saxo 8v engines, this seems to be a common problem.
   
   If there is oil leaking from the rocker cover and running down the engine then you will need to replace the rocker gasket. This can be bought for around £5.50 delivered off ebay, although I bought mine from a Citroen dealers for just under £12.
   
   This is the problem I had before replacing the rocker gasket:
   
   
   
   As you can see it's damaged and leaking oil, this all dripped down to the sump:
   
   
   
   To replace the gasket:
   
   Step One
   
   Remove all of the pipes connected to the rocker cover. Also remove the two header bolts which hold the rocker cover down.
   
   
   
   Step Two
   
   Carefully lift up the rocker cover, the rocker baffle underneath it and the two spacers
   
   
   
   Step Three
   
   Remove the old damaged gasket from the rocker cover. Clean the edges of the rocker cover and the surface which the rocker gasket will be in contact with on the engine.
   
   Step Four
   
   Put the new rocker gasket on to the rocker cover. Start at one edge and slide it all on. This is much easier than it looks.
   
   
   
   Step Five
   
   Put the spacers back on to the thread and then the rocker baffle. You may want to remove the coilpack at this point to make putting the rocker cover back on easier. To do this use a 10mm spanner on each side of it. Gently lower the rocker cover down onto the threads and tighten up the header bolts. Reconnect all of the pipes which you removed at the start and reattach the coilpack.
   
   
   
   
   
   Step Six
   
   Turn the engine on and check for any oil leaks. If there are any then you will need to redo the job and find where the rocker gasket is not fitted correctly to the rocker cover.
   
   Job done! Should take under 30mins easily.
   
   Anything I missed out just let me know.
2. steviet Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4119

   #2 2nd July 2008, 20:17

   if tightning rocker cover using a torx wrench the setting is 10nm
3. user_22085 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2008 Sheffield Posts: 574 98'SaxoVTR 88' R5 GTT

   #3 2nd July 2008, 20:32

   or 12 jigga-jigga's on the gun
4. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #4 2nd July 2008, 21:33

   Your rockers/rocker cover/baffle plate look caked in thick black old oil - might be worth an oil change?
5. dynebaruk Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 Bridgend Posts: 1098 Golf GTI 1.8 turbo

   #5 2nd July 2008, 21:42

   Only just did one about 2months ago. Don't know if it's got anything to do with the fact that the car was still boiling hot?? All of the oil looked normal in the engine when I did it apart from on the underside of the rocker cover and a little bit on the baffle plate.
   
   Thanks anyway!
6. D34no Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2007 cheshire, winsford Posts: 493 VTS track car, vtr

   #6 2nd July 2008, 21:55

   could prob do with an engine flush running through it m8. it was prob the previus owner not looking after it. when the oil is not changed regualy its goes like treakle.
7. dynebaruk Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 Bridgend Posts: 1098 Golf GTI 1.8 turbo

   #7 2nd July 2008, 21:57

   Oh dear... another thing added to the list of things to do then.
   
   Can't I just scrape it all out myself? Or is it a garage job?
8. D34no Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2007 cheshire, winsford Posts: 493 VTS track car, vtr

   #8 2nd July 2008, 22:02

   run an enigne flush through it drain the oil, then take rocker cover off and baffle plate and just clean them with some kind of degreaser. dry it off, then put it back then put some fresh oil in. job done
9. dynebaruk Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 Bridgend Posts: 1098 Golf GTI 1.8 turbo

   #9 2nd July 2008, 22:11

   Ok something for me to do tomorrow. Repped.