Sealing cam covers?

[CharlieCroker]

Very basic question I know but I have two new gaskets on order and I want to fit them once and seal the cam cover on first attempt. Should I go with RTV sealant on the gaskets or dry fit them?

[giorgio67]

Don't know of which car are you referring for but I've fitted mine with Loctite 518 on both face of the new gasket.

My covers are the later type, flat not curved as the early models.

 

Giorgio

[jason.goad]

Hello. I've got an excel with the black saddle type covers. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't bother fitting the original gaskets and make new ones from 1.5mm cork gasket sheet. The original gasket is very stiff and has a difficult face to conform to. With the cork it's flexible and only needs a smear of grease to keep it in place while fitting. I've driven over 1000 miles with the home made gaskets and drip free.

[Dunc]

and don't over tighten them - everyone seems to think the best way to fix the drip is crank harder.

[CharlieCroker]

Love the idea of cork sheet, was actually thinking of doing that. Thanks.

[jason.goad]

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7764

Here's a link to a post I put on lotusexcel.net it's pretty straight forward. Just make sure it's all clean before put the new gasket on.

Cheers J

[LOTUSPOINT]

The are ~3 mm thick new silcone/rubber caskets which should be fittes dry.

No drips anymore...

 

Paper gaskets will be much more difficult to fit and then you schould use RTV silicone - and probably it will still lose some oil.

 

Cork sheet never tried, but could be a good idea too!

[CharlieCroker]

Cheers, if my new paper gaskets don't work I'll give that a go.

[Herc]

I have used the orange 'rubber' cam gaskets from the http://www.jhps.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=jhps&Product_Code=RCG&Category_Code= , and now have black rubber ones from from Kemp performance engines.  

 

I once tried to fit the paper ones, using an elaborate procedure dictated over the phone from the guy at SJs.  It's not simple.

 

I can't believe that cork is too easy, because of the significant curvature on the gasket, and the tendency for the gasket to get stretched, because of the curvature, as you tighten it up.

 

Rubbers ones are no-brainer  IMHO.

 

Herc

Edited August 12, 2014 by Herc

[Wilf]

I used the paper ones and my exhaust cover has started leaking again after 4 years. The trick I was told was to use RTV sparingly, degrease all parts thoroughly, and stick the gasket to the cam cover, let it dry overnight and then fit to the car.

[jonwat]

 The trick I was told was to use RTV sparingly, degrease all parts thoroughly, and stick the gasket to the cam cover, let it dry overnight and then fit to the car.

 

That was the way I was told to do it my a Lotus mechanic.

[Mysterae]

I have used the orange 'rubber' cam gaskets from the http://www.jhps.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=jhps&Product_Code=RCG&Category_Code= , and now have black rubber ones from from Kemp performance engines.  

 

I once tried to fit the paper ones, using an elaborate procedure dictated over the phone from the guy at SJs.  It's not simple.

 

I can't believe that cork is too easy, because of the significant curvature on the gasket, and the tendency for the gasket to get stretched, because of the curvature, as you tighten it up.

 

Rubbers ones are no-brainer  IMHO.

 

Herc

 

I'm interested in these black rubber gaskets for my Esprit; I need to remove the covers for painting in the near future. I've search for Kemp Performance Engines but the ebay shop is empty as is the website. Any info on getting hold of these gaskets?

[Herc]

I think the Kemp shop is shut for their summer holidays. 

 

I got them as part of their top-end gasket set.  I wanted to see if they where sold separately but, as you say, the shop is shut.

 

Herc. 

[CharlieCroker]

I've got my covers off now and yes it is a messy job, oil goes everywhere. Just waiting for the gaskets to arrive and will proceed. Penultimate job before it is in a position to MOT.

[USAndretti42]

I used the black, rubber gaskets on my Esprit.  A dab of something, such as superglue, on the lower edge to hold it in place while you fit the cam cover helps but you can, with care, just fit it dry.

 

I got mine from JAE in the States so I believe it's the Lotus standard-issue part nowadays. It certainly fixed the leaks mine had.