I am a computer tech that is new to vw engine, so pardon my ignorance.

My green buggy has always leaking oil since I adjusted the valve myself. I suspect that the valve cover gasket is leaking. What do you guys use to glue the gasket to the cover? Do you guys put something else between the gasket and the engine block?

I am thinking of "super gluing" the gasket to the cover and see if it still leak. Please advise me if I should do otherwise.

And for the oil sump big bolt and the 6 maller bolt they also leak and I was thinking maybe I should use torque wrench and follow the spec. Should I use some sort of sealant? What do you guys use?

Thanks for your help guys,

Greenbuggy

Did you use new gaskets ??

For the valve cover, are they flat n not bent?? only use a small amount of gasket goo to stick the gasket to the valve cover, dont use any on the cylinder head.

Make sure the head and valve cover are in good condition.
I just "lube" the cork gasket with bearing grease. Just make sure it fits snug.
Replace gaskets each time. Dont reuse them.

As for the sump plate - same thing. Lube the paper gaskets with grease. New gaskets each time. Make sure the copper washers are there, they come in the gasket kit.
Also make sure the sump plate is flat. If not either get a new one or dimple the holes carefully away from the block.
Unlikley you will get it bone dry but it certainly shouldnt drip or leave annoying marks

The rocker cover gaskets that have leaked for me have been due to the top of the gasket falling as I have put the rocker cover on. Do what Dave has suggested & goo them on the rocker cover. I also gently tap them upwards once they are on because the action of the clip going on can lever them downwards.
The oil strainer nuts should be domed with copper washers to stop oil leaking down the threads.

I had major leaks with my tappets cover's when i first got my car. I found that at the bottom the gasket would bend up and a gp would form also, try another gasket. make sue ur using the cork ones, the rubbers ones are $%#^.

Thanks guys for the fast reply.

Some more information that I should mention, I always use new gaskets and I only put some whell bearing grease on the gaskets that goes to the cylinder head and glue on the side that goes to the valve cover.

I will check if the valve cover gaskets was actually shifted when i put the valve cover to the cylinder head.

For the oil plug, I did use the new copper washers but the oil still drip, and I can see that it drip from all 6 nuts and the big center nut. I was thinking maybe I did not thighten it enough, it there any side effect if I over tighten it?

Cheers,

SAM

The side effect is stripping the case thread. Just "nip" them. No real force should be needed.
Maybe a new plate is in order

i read a really long post about lubrication on here 2 days ago that said that overtightening the sump plate nuts can bend the sump plate, resulting in permanent leaks. It said always use fresh gaskets, and always use a torque wrench to tighten nuts to exactly the right settings - but it sounds like in your case the damage may already be done.

It looks like the oil is running down the threads. Try some Loctite on the threads.

Also, you may well have a warped base plate. You could try 2-3 extra gaskets (they are dirt cheap) & you might get lucky!

[Edited on 18-6-2003 by geodon]