Cam cover leaking

[BHDave]

Hey guys,

I've had a minor oil leak on the rear of my left side cam cover for a while, nothing major, just a bit of crap collecting at the back of the block because of it.

Anyway, did a plug change on the weekend and noticed that ALL of the internal screws were VERY loose. Tightened them up and hopefully no more leak.

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this happening and if it's something to check on a regular basis as the screws work loose? Or is this an odd thing to find, like someones been into the top of the engine and not finished it properly?

[nick_w]

i found the same thing with my cam cover...nipping them up a bit fixed my leaks aswell

[Bl4cK32]

i'm actually replacing my rb20 atm. I noticed that nearly all bolts were only hand tight. Some were only finger loose! I'd advise everyone to check the bolts/screws on their car. Main areas were intake plenum, and the gearbox.

[craz0]

You can get R33 rocker cover gaskets from Nissan brand new so you should be able to get R32 one's, they charge about $60 for a pair (R33).

[NIZR34GTT]

Just that the rubber compresses over time.

Don't tighten them to much as it just squeeze the rubber out of shape.

[armbrusb]

Also, if you find that the leaks are coming from the back of the covers it may be the little half moon things that are behind your cams. Mine were out of shape. I didn't realise they were there until I had changed the rocker cover gaskets. If you are changing the rocket cover gaskets change these as well. There are both cheap and easy.

[zandi2000]

yeh my left hand rocker had really loose screws aswell!! how strange... i got leaks out the back and am currently changing the rubber plugs at the back.. .hopefully should fix my leak damnit!

[Demon Dave]

ditto for me - had a small leak on the cam cover because the screws were only finger tight...

[Airzone]

If you take the rocker cover off, do you have to replace the gasket, or can it be reused? I was thinking of cleaning out my lifters one of these days.

[Guest RedLineGTR]

only rubber cam seals..

[Airzone]

Ok, I don't know exactly what that is, but I guess it's got to do with taking the cams out? Or is it the seal against the cam holder / bearing thingie (in laymans terms - lol!) and and rocker cover?

I figure at the worst with taking the rocker cover off, I can just say too hard and put it back together again, but I just need to know what bits are single-use.

[craz0]

You can use them again unless they are totally stuffed. The rocker cover gasket's are made out of rubber.

[VIPERGTSR01]

careful with rubber gaskets because if you take them off and fiddle with them a bit (like wiping with a rag) they stretch and you wont be able to put them back on