Had our Magna TH serviced in January of this year and the mechanic said that the rocker covers needed attention, so they supposedly did them. The last few weeks have noticed that there's oil on the garage floor, so after inspecting the car looks to me like the rocker covers are leaking. Also noticed that when I accelerate after being stationary I hear a quiet ticking sound but it seems to disappear once the car goes about 30 km/hr, this noise only seems to occur at the start of the journey. I doubt these 2 things are related but thinking about doing the rocker covers myself (I would say that not enough sealant was used) but any thoughts on the ticking sound?

Ticking noise could be a few things.
1) Is the oil level full? (given that it's leaking, worth checking level and condition).
2) Check Exhaust manifold studs. I haven't had a problem with these on any of my 3rd gens yet but worth checking anyway.

Does it ever tick when first started at cold?

No need to use sealant on these gaskets as they're rubber and will only be a messy job. They tend not to last long though unfortunately, particularly if the rocker cover bolts aren't tensioned properly. If you do the job yourself be cautious not to over-tighten them. I can't remember what the correct torque setting is but it will be in the workshop manual (can be found HERE ) (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99122&highlight=th+workshop+manual)

The correct torque settings are 3.5nm which is very little.
Is the ticking speed related or rpm related?
These cars have hydraulic lifters and sometimes at idle they will tick.
I believe it's caused by dirty lifters maybe, also I think if an engine is worn the oil pressure drops and hence might cause ticking too

Thanks Shamous for that prompt response. Oil level is ok about mid way between min and max. I've only really noticed the noise at night as I'm on my way home, so yes when first started at cold. The bolts are on fairly tight, this gives me a good excuse to get a torque wrench. Is it normal for these things to leak so soon after having this work done? Mind you maybe it's been like this since they did the job and I never noticed. Thanks for the link too.

+1 on checking the oil level & topping it up.
Take the car back to the mechanic & get them to fix the problem (Probably incorrect tensioned bolts as Shamous69 has said).
Got my rocker covers & plug seals done last week & my mechanic was saying that overtensioning the rocker covers which is easy to do is often the problem with oil leaks as the cover can bite into the gasket.

Thanks ADM and Spetz, the ticking sound is definitely speed related, faster I go, the quicker the sound. The rocker cover bolts are on pretty tight so you guys may well be on the money here.

Rung the mechanic who told me that the rocker covers are problematic on the magnas and has said that you must tighten the bolts are fair bit. He did say that the gasket was an aftermarket one and is probably the source of the problem.

It's the opposite, because they are fragile the bolts need to be tightened lightly or the covers warp and leak

Yes the bolts are not meant to be overly tight, they take Bugger all torque, blaming the aftermarket gasket is the excuse for using the wrong technique.

For those who don't have torque wrenches that go as low as 3.5nm, how tight is it by hand?
ie, use a ratchet or a screwdriver holder on the bolts?

For those who don't have torque wrenches that go as low as 3.5nm, how tight is it by hand?
ie, use a ratchet or a screwdriver holder on the bolts?

1/4" drive, check ebay, quite cheap.
No way you will be able to judge 3.5 Nm by hand.
I wouldn't even attempt this job without the right torque wrench.
Right torque and even torque is needed, the gaskets squash down a bit. You need to go around at least 2 times.
The originals last 100,000 km plus, new ones not installed correctly could be piddling oil within a week.

Anyway, you will need a torque wrench for the inlet manifold bolts. They are big, but screw into alloy, so it's easy to strip the threads leading to air leaks. Only about 20 Nm, IIRC.

Thanks MadMax I guess I will buy a 1/4" torque wrench.
It's just that it seemed I'd only ever use it once

Apparently it is often necessary to close up the gap in the rocker cover that the gasket slots into, they lose their grip a bit and can leak even with brand new OEM gaskets. If the gasket is pushed into the slot and the cover held gasket-side-down, no part of the gasket should drop out. If it does, the slot can be gently and evenly closed a bit where it's loose with padded pliers or similar until the gasket is held firmly. Dealership should know this, general mechanic probably doesn't.

Apparently it is often necessary to close up the gap in the rocker cover that the gasket slots into, they lose their grip a bit and can leak even with brand new OEM gaskets. If the gasket is pushed into the slot and the cover held gasket-side-down, no part of the gasket should drop out. If it does, the slot can be gently and evenly closed a bit where it's loose with padded pliers or similar until the gasket is held firmly. Dealership should know this, general mechanic probably doesn't.

Yep, that's what I did just on two months ago when I replaced my tube seals & gaskets, and not a hint of a leak since.

How much pressure does this require?
And I assume we are talking about closing the gap by a mm or 2, no more?

Depends on how much it has opened up. Just close it enough to hold the gasket when upside down. If someone has overtightened the bolts the gap may be big.

3.5 nm of torque is a little bit more than finger tight almost. A screwdriver would be easily able to do 3.5 nm
Overtightening is the biggest cause of warped/distorted/leaking rocker covers/ sump plates etc etc. Once the pessed metal plate is distorted, its hard to get it to seal properly without using a glue of some kind.
rumpfy

3.5 nm of torque is a little bit more than finger tight almost.

Really? Nobody remembers their High School Physics apparently! lol

By definition, a torque of 3.5 Nm is applied to one end of a 1 m long rod when a weight of 350 grams hangs from the other end of the horizontal rod.

Anything else is just pure guess work. lol Use a torque wrench!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-4-Drive-Torque-Wrench-Adjustable-Tension-Tool-in-Plastic-Case-Micrometer-New-/130713776363?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6f25f0eb&_uhb=1

$45. Has a 2 to 24 Nm range.

You probably pay more for the gaskets and tube seals. You'd be popular with your mates because they will recognise you as an Ace Mechanic. You own a torque wrench! lol

is there any solution to warped covers? having just had these done on my own car recently, the mechanic told me that the covers were pretty warped and that he wasn't sure if they'd hold the gaskets in place to keep a good seal. i found some receipts in the car recently after giving it a deep clean and it had the front rocker cover gasket replaced around this time two years ago - that may have been done incorrectly and caused warping due to it being over-tightened.

As mentioned above they can be carefully squeezed back into shape.
Failing that they are available new but if I recall correctly they are about $80 from online sources (don't quote me on this)

Update on this, took it back to mechanic who tells me that both the front and rear rocker covers are leaking. Both need to be redone. Told that I cannot drive the car as it is because it's a fire hazard. Think I could have done the job better myself.

Update on this, took it back to mechanic who tells me that both the front and rear rocker covers are leaking. Both need to be redone. Told that I cannot drive the car as it is because it's a fire hazard. Think I could have done the job better myself.

Definitely would go elsewhere to have it done, and never let that mob touch your car again, they're obviously dodgy.

Update on this, took it back to mechanic who tells me that both the front and rear rocker covers are leaking. Both need to be redone. Told that I cannot drive the car as it is because it's a fire hazard. Think I could have done the job better myself.


How long ago were they done last?

I think what happens is that if the bolts are overtightened, the gasket simply wedges into the gap deeper and opens it up. Hence "more tight" = "more leaks". Probably not unique to Mitsu V6 engines, but it's a trap for the unwary.

I've seen gaskets for the V6 rocker covers that have steel sleeves inserted into the holes for the bolts to go through. Couldn't overtighten them like that. Great idea for mechanics who think their arm is a built in torque wrench. lol

As for it being a fire hazard - probably true, seen plenty of blue smoke coming off mine when they were leaking. The fire extinguisher I had on the passenger seat made me feel slightly better though. lol

Definitely would go elsewhere to have it done, and never let that mob touch your car again, they're obviously dodgy.

Yeah it would appear so. Been with this mechanic for 5 years, wall full of certificates, thought they were better than this. Really disappointed, I don't think I'm being too hard on him if I really let him have it over this but to get both covers wrong!

Certificates on the wall mean Jack Sh#t, lots of different makes and models of cars have their own Gotcha! problems if you are doing a job for the first time.

Perhaps explain to him it needs to be exactly 3.5 Nm on those bolts, nothing else will do?? And tell him about checking the gaps.

Mechanic apologised for the job and said he was not comfortable with it being driven in its current state, put it up on a hoist and it was really messy underneath where it was obvious the rear cover was leaking, I suggested that the bolts had been over-torqued, he just said he'd use more sealant next time. The fire hazard part was because oil was finding itself on the exhaust system, something to watch for others with leaking rocker covers.

lol lol lol Yes! More sealant will fix it! Brilliant!

lol, Shouldn't need any sealant!!

lol, Shouldn't need any sealant!!

my point exactly. I was being sarcastic. lol

my point exactly. I was being sarcastic. lol

lol I was making sure that op knew that!

Sometimes a Man has to do what a Man has to do . . .
Grab the world by the balls and give it a good shaking.
Take a stand, make a statement of independence.

TRANSLATION: tigerzen might consider DIY? Couldn't stuff the job as much as this paid meXaniK, surely?

Sometimes a Man has to do what a Man has to do . . .
Grab the world by the balls and give it a good shaking.
Take a stand, make a statement of independence.

TRANSLATION: tigerzen might consider DIY? Couldn't stuff the job as much as this paid meXaniK, surely?
If i had my time again, I would have done it myself. Car is now back, still smells like something was burning but I can't see any oil leaks........yet.