Z4 rocker cover gasket problem

[Taffndebs]

Hi can anyone help me I recently changed the rocker cover as per my previous post but I have still got an oil leak I took off the rocker cover and found lots of splits in the new gasket see pics. Have I done something wrong or just a bad gasket

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Hopefully can see the pics
Thanks

[j3nks79]

Did you torque the bolts down? Looks like it’s been pinched when refitting it.

[Taffndebs]

It’s no where near the bolts are as per pics but I didn’t torque it
Maybe have to invest in a small torque wrench

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[enuff_zed]

N52? Torque is so low I wouldn’t worry, looks more like it fell out of the cover as you fitted it to the car, try using grease in the groove then putting the seal in to that, should hold it in place.
Grease will dissolve into the oil so no issues.
Do not use sealant as it will go hard and bits can break off and block oil ways

[Taffndebs]

Thank you will try the grease trick I had used hi temp gasket seal to keep it in place which it seemed to have done And still feels quite soft will order a new gasket and try again

[j3nks79]

It’s one of those jobs where you want to follow the torque specs and procedure.
Yes it’s not a a lot of pressure but you want a nice even spread over the rocker cover. These things love to leak.
So do it nice or do it twice.

[Andrew J]

N52? Torque is so low I wouldn’t worry, looks more like it fell out of the cover as you fitted it to the car, try using grease in the groove then putting the seal in to that, should hold it in place.
Grease will dissolve into the oil so no issues.
Do not use sealant as it will go hard and bits can break off and block oil ways

Might also be worth getting a second pair of hands in to hold the gasket in place when the rocker cover is being lowered into place.

[Taffndebs]

We were both doing it and it went on lovely stayed in the cover as we put it on thought we’d sussed it

[enuff_zed]

We were both doing it and it went on lovely stayed in the cover as we put it on thought we’d sussed it

Definitely looks like it was pinched.
One of you has a wonky eye.

[Taffndebs]

That’ll be me then
just confused me with how many splits there was

[enuff_zed]

That’ll be me then
just confused me with how many splits there was

Firstly, are we talking to Taff, or Debs?
Could influence my next flippant reply.

[colb]

I always use Elring brand gaskets and seals for cam covers, done a few now and had no problems. I always follow TIS instructions and ensure I use Blue Hylomar gasket sealant only around the half moon shapes at the front and rear of the cover and between the Vanos at the front to ensure a good seal where the gasket changes direction around the half moons.
Replacement becomes required when the originals become hard and loose their sealing capability often seen by oil leaks onto the exhaust and plug wells filling up with oil fouling the top of the plugs and coil pack ends.

[enuff_zed]

I always use Elring brand gaskets and seals for cam covers, done a few now and had no problems. I always follow TIS instructions and ensure I use Blue Hylomar gasket sealant only around the half moon shapes at the front and rear of the cover and between the Vanos at the front to ensure a good seal where the gasket changes direction around the half moons.
Replacement becomes required when the originals become hard and loose their sealing capability often seen by oil leaks onto the exhaust and plug wells filling up with oil fouling the top of the plugs and coil pack ends.

Same here. Always Elring. Never had a problem with them.
Looking at the photo again it's a 2.0 N46 isn't it?
So the halfmoon bits don't apply in this case.
However, I once bought a gasket set for an N46 and the part that pushes down into the slot was too tall, so the gasket didn't seat properly. Got an Elring and that sorted it.
I'm wondering now if that is the issue here? Gasket didn't sit down flush and consequently got pushed over when fitted to the head.

[Taffndebs]

Hi have now ordered an Elring gasket what are TIS instructions, should the gasket be fixed into the top before offering it up
Sorry for all the questions just don’t want to get it wrong and waste another £60 on a 3rd gasket
The weather is getting warmer and I need to be out in her

[enuff_zed]

Hi have now ordered an Elring gasket what are TIS instructions, should the gasket be fixed into the top before offering it up
Sorry for all the questions just don’t want to get it wrong and waste another £60 on a 3rd gasket
The weather is getting warmer and I need to be out in her

Yes, slot the gasket into the cover first. If needed use a little grease but from memory I don't think you need it on the engine. It seems to hold in place quite well.
The torque on the bolts is 10Nm. Tighten them in a diagonal sequence to avoid distorting the cover.
NB. My apologies to colb, my memory was playing tricks and you will need a dab of sealant on the half-moon sections. Install the seal in the cover then put a small blob of sealant in the angle of the seal where it changes direction sharply to go over the half-moon part.