Cam ladders, instant gasket?

12th January 2009, 18:05

Hi guys got a leak here:

Believe this is the cam ladder seal? Is this just an instant gasket job? Is it a pain to do, have to remove cams or what?

Worth taking to a garage?

Haynes is in post on its way to me

Cheers !

12th January 2009, 18:07

Yes use instant sealant but iirc the cams dont have to be lifted not 100% though

12th January 2009, 20:07

Thanks Jason, can anybody confirm about the cams?

12th January 2009, 20:54

you'll need to take belt off and cams will dislodge when removing cam ladder.

12th January 2009, 23:33

i have the same problem will be doing it at the weekend. will post any useful tips or issues if i come across any

12th March 2009, 17:38

My Mrs Vts was leaking here so we had them re sealed with instant gasket.

But we the actual cam ladders are leaking, do these come apart? If so can these be re sealed or do you have to buy a new set?

12th March 2009, 18:04

As Williams has said Riggsy... They seal just like the cam covers, so it's sealant time. But to remove the cam ladders, you've got a big job on your hands, as the cams need to come out too.

12th March 2009, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toad

As Williams has said Riggsy... They seal just like the cam covers, so it's sealant time. But to remove the cam ladders, you've got a big job on your hands, as the cams need to come out too.

Yep I know what's involved as the Mrs has paid to have it done two times already!!!

Do the ladders actualy come apart then?

12th March 2009, 18:31

You don't have to take the belt off... Had to reseal mine the other week. I put it in the timing position, put the locking pins in and just out of curiosity took the cam carrier off without removing the belt and the cam sat perfectly still. Just make sure you do them one at a time.

12th March 2009, 18:40

I did my head gasket a few days ago. I can't see why you would have to take the belt off to re-seal the carriers and when i took the carriers off the cams stayed put. I had to take my cams out though to get the head skimmed. Instant goo will do the job, I used hermatite red.

12th March 2009, 19:21

because the tension on the belt CAN lift the cams out.

12th March 2009, 19:51

So the ladders actualy come apart?

In this photo they are sealed where they sit ontop the head, which is fine I just want to know if they come apart?

12th March 2009, 20:06

yes, they lift off the head. thats my head

12th March 2009, 20:10

Yep cheers for pic fella lol.

I know they lift off the head but do they come apart!?

12th March 2009, 20:32

In this photo is that black sealent in between them...

12th March 2009, 20:47

i dont get what you mean by come apart? they lift up off the head so that you can take the cams out.
them bits with arrows are just spigots where it locates on the head.

12th March 2009, 21:02

Because there is two ladders isn't there, they sit ontop of each other...

12th March 2009, 21:10

nah its like this:

ladder
cam
head

if you get what i mean?

12th March 2009, 21:11

Right so the ladders dont come apart?!

Ours are leaking, so we need to buy a new set?

Saying that they must come apart as looking at the last photo you can see black sealent in between them?

12th March 2009, 21:14

i dont get what you mean buy come apart?

you have your head, then you put your cams in, then a ladder goes across each cam to hold them down.

12th March 2009, 21:17

head

then cams go in

then ladder goes on top of each cam

12th March 2009, 21:18

Ahhhhhhhh.

In this pic where he has highlighted in red that's one ladder, the other is sitting ontop yeah?

12th March 2009, 21:19

lol, no, you only have 1 ladder per cam, the ladder bolts directly to the head then the cam cover bolts to the ladder.
the cam is clamped between the head and the ladder.

12th March 2009, 21:21

Right.

Buy my Mrs's actual ladders are leaking, not where they sit on the head or where the cam covers sit on them.

12th March 2009, 21:24

When your looking at this photo, it looks like there is two ladders sitting ontop of one another doesn't it?! Well where it looks like they join that's where hers are leaking?

12th March 2009, 21:26

thats just the way they are cast, where the mould will of joined and come apart. it wont be leaking from there.

12th March 2009, 21:30

So she wont need some new ladders?

12th March 2009, 21:37

nope, just sealed properly.

12th March 2009, 21:43

Righto cheers for the help mate.

Think we will take it to Citroen this time.

12th March 2009, 22:43

Good explanation Williams. And with pics!

13th March 2016, 22:30

Holy thread revival Batman!

As this thread comes up first in google search, it's only right it now goes to the top of the page

So having just purchased a saxo vts with a lovely leaking cam ladder I had a search to find out the best way to cure it. As the car just had the cambelt and water pump changed 3k miles ago I really didn't want to (couldn't be arsed to) take the belt off, remove the cams etc.

Someone in this thread said it is possible to take the cam ladder out without doing all that, so I tried it but hit a snag...

The cam ladder goes under the cambelt cover, there is no way to wiggle it out at all

As this was only a cheap car I resorted to plan B...

And just snapped the bit of cover that was in the way

Even with the cam ladder off, the cam itself seems to stay put.

Will get one side finished and put back before doing the other side, then might even attempt to superglue the broken bits of plastic back in place, lol.

14th March 2016, 18:20

If you're going to use silicone type sealant at least use some decent stuff like 'Threebond 1215', that way you won't be doing it again next year (or sooner)

14th March 2016, 21:33

You mean wicks bathroom sealant won't cut the mustard?

15th March 2016, 08:23

all i would say is 90% of the time the leaks are from cam box --not the ladders+yes use proper sealnt --not instant gasket
cure for cam boxs is simple
file off the lumps at corners and along the side so it sits flat on cam ladder--then you only need a smear of sealer -not a big bead --never leak again then

15th March 2016, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chipwizards

If you're going to use silicone type sealant at least use some decent stuff like 'Threebond 1215', that way you won't be doing it again next year (or sooner)

Funnily enough I'd bought some instant gasket stuff, but on your recommendation just bought that three bond stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by axsaxoman

all i would say is 90% of the time the leaks are from cam box --not the ladders+yes use proper sealnt --not instant gasket
cure for cam boxs is simple
file off the lumps at corners and along the side so it sits flat on cam ladder--then you only need a smear of sealer -not a big bead --never leak again then

Yeah it is leaking from the box rather than the ladders (all one part though). When you say file off the lumps, are you referring to the locating lugs at either end?

15th March 2016, 15:12

So you guys recon this instant gasket stuff is no good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1317245380...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

16th March 2016, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUMMERS

Funnily enough I'd bought some instant gasket stuff, but on your recommendation just bought that three bond stuff

Yeah it is leaking from the box rather than the ladders (all one part though). When you say file off the lumps, are you referring to the locating lugs at either end?

all the lugs on the covers -- on the sides as well

17th March 2016, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUMMERS

So you guys recon this instant gasket stuff is no good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1317245380...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Buy cheap, buy twice.... plus driveway cleaner and possibly a fire extinguisher as well....

Get the proper gear FFS.

17th March 2016, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by axsaxoman

all the lugs on the covers -- on the sides as well

I had a quick look at the box last night, I can see why the two locating lugs could stop it sealing properly but the ones on the side don't seem to interfere, unless I'm missing something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chipwizards

Buy cheap, buy twice.... plus driveway cleaner and possibly a fire extinguisher as well....

Get the proper gear FFS.

#

I have bought the proper stuff, I had ordered that previously without knowing it was sh*te, just wondered what opinions were on it.

18th March 2016, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUMMERS

I had a quick look at the box last night, I can see why the two locating lugs could stop it sealing properly but the ones on the side don't seem to interfere, unless I'm missing something?

#

I have bought the proper stuff, I had ordered that previously without knowing it was sh*te, just wondered what opinions were on it.

around every fixing hole on the CAM COVERS there is a raised area --file these flat with main sealing area of box so its totally flat -then no need for large bead --just a light smear

23rd March 2016, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by axsaxoman

around every fixing hole on the CAM COVERS there is a raised area --file these flat with main sealing area of box so its totally flat -then no need for large bead --just a light smear

With you now, i was thinking of the cam ladder.

Took your advice and butchered it attempting to file it flat, lol. Would you recommend re-using the gasket or binning it and using instant gasket instead?

23rd March 2016, 16:16

Quick question!

When i removed the cam ladders the section Ive circled was filled with instant gasket, should it have been? I thought it was an oil way?

24th March 2016, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUMMERS

With you now, i was thinking of the cam ladder.

Took your advice and butchered it attempting to file it flat, lol. Would you recommend re-using the gasket or binning it and using instant gasket instead?

once lugs are off the cam covers no need for thick bead --just a smear --like the cam ladders--and yes your picture --quite normal --not an oil way