Leaky cam cover '90 80

[Al]

Thanks for the input.  I had a spare cork gasket, so I RTV’d it to the cover and left it overnight. I didn’t ball peen the holes because the stiffener that goes over each stud, prevents that’s. I checked them anyway and they were OK. I also checked for flatness of the flange, it was OK. Torque was 7 ft lb. 

I will change the oil/filter on Sunday and see what happens.

Al
Honolulu

From: Tony Hoffman 
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 3:05 AM
To: Al 
Cc: Quattro 
Subject: Re: Leaky cam cover '90 80

Two things come to mind. Swap to rubber using this kit (2nd one in pic):

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=rl31ktnyl3dnkyasw0u4fqeb&makeid=800026@VW&modelid=1369290@FOX &year=1987&cid=valve at valve&gid=5500 at Valve Cover Gasket Set

Then, take your valve cover and turn it upside down. Use a small ball peen hammer, round side. Put it in each of the holes where the studs go through, and hit it lightly with another hammer. After being tightened down several times, they start to bend slightly. You need to bend them back out. Same applies for timing covers (old engines), oil pans, etc. Anything thin steel that seals to an engine.

HTH,
Tony


On Fri, Dec 28, 2012 at 4:12 AM, Al <streichea001 at hawaii.rr.com> wrote:

  A few months ago I put a new Fel-Pro gasket on the cover. I have had leaks before so I checked the cover for being flat, looked ok. This time I used some Permatex  #2 Form.a.Gasket Sealant on the head then placed the gasket on top.  Now I’ve got a leak again on the intake side – rear.
  Does anyone have a magic bullet to really apply a gasket, properly. Guess I didn’t learn that trick in 55 years of tinkering.
  The gasket is a Fel-Pro cork type.