RE: Valve cover gasket

[Bernie Strub <bstrub@silverlink.net>]

it wuz sed:
>> As I recall a mechanic in Ala Moana Cutter Audi/Porsche/VW said the valve 
>> cover has a tendency to warp from over tightening of the bolts. He said 
>> he tighten them down just about hand tight and do it the same sequence as 
>> the headbolts. He also mention that you should check to see if the valve 
>> cover is not warp and if it is then try straigtening it before 
>> re-installing it. He said tighter is not always better and warped valve 
>> cover is the reason of re-occurring leaks. 
>> 
>On many cars there is a shoulder on the valve cover mounting stud to keep 
>you from compressing the gasket against the head.  If the stud is loose or
>the gasket is not installed correctly you can create a gap through which 
>oil can seep.  Prior to the cars with the hydraulic adjusters the gaskets 
>were cork and could leak over time.  The newer 1 piece gaskets do a better
>job of sealing ... I even use one on the urQ now ...

Now that Steve mentions this, I seem to recall that the rubber vc gasket has
metal inserts around the stud holes, to prevent crushing the gasket or
distorting the valve cover itself.  Seems the Audi folks know a thing or two
about engineering...just not really inclined to aim it at ease of
maintenance...some of the minor maintenance items seem overly complicated
(replacing alt belt requires removal of rad shrouds, fer instance)...nowhere
near as involved as some p-car stuff (look up clock hours for cam seal or
timing belt replacement-yeesh!).

Whoops, wandered off subject again.  C-YA!

>>>>>Bernie
87 4kcsq alpine white/light grey cloth
QCUSA #1765
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