[s-cars] Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

[Igor Kessel]

Trevor Frank wrote:
> This is what I like to use
> http://www.neelyindustries.com/pdf/112.pdf
>
> It is a Dow Corning non-curing silicon, often used on o-rings for high
> temperature service.  It will seal but it will not stick.  It is a lot
> nicer that an RTV because 1 it will not end up in your oil filter i.e.
> motor and 2 it will not make a big mess to clean up next time you need
> to take the valve cover gasket off.  In fact I have had my valve cover
> off 4 times in the last 4 months and haven't had to replace it, and have
> had no leaks.  It is also good to use on any o-rings or rubber gaskets
> else where in the motor.  It is used sparingly and isn't cheap, so it
> kind of reinforces the use sparingly part with the expensive part.

Thank you very much for the tip, Trevor!
I ordered it from McMaster: 1204K42 - Dow Corning Lubricant for $11.48.
I also ordered from McMaster 10 threaded inserts (M6xM10) coz I busted
one thread in the corner: 97084A230 - Steel Self-Locking for $1.41/ea
I also ordered the valve cover gasket kit from Rod at TPC: 034-198-025F
for $19.00

Today I took the valve cover off the head, drilled open the busted M6
thread to a 8.5mm hole, retapped it with an M10x1,5 tap and screwed in
one threaded insert. No drama.
After that I lubricated the gasket with the 112, and assembled the
cover. Ran the engine for 5 minutes - no leaks.

Those who've been hanging around the main quattro list several years
back prolly remember that I used to repair busted threads left by the
broken exhaust manifold studs on the older 10v engines. I even machined
a brass jig with teflon rollers for drilling those out. Only for that
application I'd been using the M8x1/2"-20 threaded inserts. I never had
a single failure of those, even with the horrendous temperature cycling
of the exhaust manifolds.
Thus I feel the insert in the head for the valve cover bolt should hold
up well.

By now you might have guessed, folks, that I am not a huge fan of
Helicoil. :)

Once again, thanks much for the tip, Trevor! Sure beats the blue RTV
silicone that I've been using for years.

--
Igor Kessel
two turbo quattros