I've noticed some oil accumulation at the head gasket lower bolt locations on both heads (adjacent to the spark plugs). Its got 35k miles and I haven't cleaned the engine for some time so its leaking slowly.

Do you think I should just try tightening the lower bolts or not touch it? Being aluminum I'm thinking it might be better left alone or do those bolts need to be re-torqued over time?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You mean rocker cover gaskets I take it?
I nipped mine up once, not too much though, just a tweak.

 

Forgive my ignorance as to the location, I'm thinking these are the cylinder head cover bolts. I attached a pic. You can see the little bit of oil I am referring to just right of the spark plug.

I found the torque specs from the manual you posted for someone else. Are these the cylinder head cover bolts that should be 7 ft/lbs?

 

Those are the rocker covers and the little breather covers on top of them are usually the culprit... they are sealed with and RTV gasket material and are easy to fix yourself... there is a DIY thread on here....

 

Yeah, I saw that thread that you posted, but it is only leaking at those lower bolts (on both sides). Any idea of what they should be torqued to?

 

sorry, not of the top of my head... will have to dig through the service manual...

 

Page 2654 of 4348 in the Service Manual.

Cylinder Head Cover Bolts - 7 Ft. Lbs. or 89 In. Lbs.

 

Thanks for all the help.

 

Noob here...had a look - cant find the link to the sticky/repair for the leak....
help please.

Also - quicky- should I use permatex or some sort of sealant under the old gasket 7 ft.lbs doesn sound like a great deal.

 

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...over-leak.html

 

Don't over torque them... 7 ft lbs is correct... It is aluminum... I put the RTV on and let them set up to form the seal, then put them back on after it has dried...

 

The main covers use a gasket and I would replace it every time as they get compressed and do not seal as well the second time around. The screws are torqued to 7 ft lbs.

The smaller covers mounted on these main covers use RTV and it should be applied as per the instructions on the RTV.

The OP is referring to the main covers and should get a new gasket. I would not use RTV on this as it may cause a bad seal.

 

You are correct, I was referring to the smaller covers, and agree to get new gaskets for the mains.

 

Thanks All - had to procede before the link came in - rain and all....

Snapped a breather screw as I now read - common - will have to order one from MB..$4 eh...!
Went with RTV as suspected, since its a low pressure low temp app - little risk on choice. Loctite - what a bugger to squeeze out of the tube!...painful.

Love someons idea of running the covers through the dishwasher!...checked with wifey....ha!

Got the air filters on just as it began spitting.

I'll Leave her over night before I give her a run up.

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It appears the cover is magnesium - did some research - most probably RZ5 94%Mg (Magnesium), 0.5% Zr (zircon), 4% Zn (Zinc), rare earths approx. 1%.
Be good to get confirmation on this.
As for finishing and removing/disguising all the casting defects - maybe a sand blast would provide the best results and then a satin laquer, rather than painting - personal choice though.