Hi,

Sorry if this is in the wrong area but i'm after someone in the South East that is able to help with a cam cover gasket change??

I'm based in Redhill and the car is pretty much undriveable at the moment without oil pouring out onto the exhaust and leaving a nice cloud behind me. I don't have all the tools needed to do it and haven't got any means to transport it anywhere without driving it.

Can anyone offer any help at all please?? I will supply the new gasket and oil needed.

Thanks,

John

Hi John, if I was closer I would have been there.

On a plus point though, rocker cover gasket is an easy job, might be worth nipping to Halfords and getting a cheap socket set and have a go yourself, make sure the surfaces that touch the gasket are clean when you put everything back together, also take your time nipping the bolts up working all bolts a similar amount until tight so the cover bolts down evenly and flat.

Cheers James. I did change the gasket a few weeks ago but yesterday was obviously too much for it and decided it didn't want to keep the oil in the engine anymore. :(

I'm also stuck in Bristol at the moment, so it's either try to drive it back or get the AA to take it back.

Well, broke down at the side of the M4 after oil light came on. Engine still running but oil light came on after about 50-60 miles, though only had just over halfway on the dipstick when i left Bristol. Still looks like cam gasket failure but with the amount sitting on the hard shoulder of the M4 after an hour seems to suggest might be something else.

Getting it taken home at the moment as i don't know any decent garages around Surrey that won't charge the earth.

Anyone know a decent mobile mechanic that won't charge me 1/2 my wages just to look at it??

Bits ordered and just waiting for delivery now. Should hopefully be here before the weekend so i can attempt to get the gasket swapped over.

Really hope that's all it is and it does seem to point to it being this as i only had it swapped over two weeks before.

Still a bit worried about getting to the bolt under the EGR (bolt 10) as none of the tools i have seem to fit.

 

Can anyone suggest anything that will hopefully mean i can get to that as taking the EGR off/moving it isn't an option.

Edited 18 June, 20205 yr by vRS19TD

We used Service Plus in Redhill (01737 780900) when we were running company cars. Rob is the head guy there.

We used Service Plus in Redhill (01737 780900) when we were running company cars. Rob is the head guy there.

Do they have a mobile mechanic??

I don't know off-hand buddy. They're only 5 mins from the office, so we always dropped cars off.

I don't know off-hand buddy. They're only 5 mins from the office, so we always dropped cars off.

Cheers.

Might be worth you getting some instant gasket too John

Might be worth you getting some instant gasket too John

Isn't that a replacement for normal gaskets though??

This is what i've ordered:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=173106

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=700554

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/fabia-vrs-cylinder-head-cover-gasket-2000-2008-50534

Isn't that a replacement for normal gaskets though??

Possibly, but had to redo the rocker cover gasket a couple of times on the saxo so gave this a try and it worked superbly

Possibly, but had to redo the rocker cover gasket a couple of times on the saxo so gave this a try and it worked superbly

I'll give the Skoda gasket a try and if that fails, i'll check out instant gasket.

This is what i've ordered:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=173106

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&productId=700554

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/fabia-vrs-cylinder-head-cover-gasket-2000-2008-50534

I've had confirmation the Halfords bits have been dispatched but still waiting for any news from SkodaParts, so looks like my plan of working on the car this weekend has gone out the window. :(

Only other options are to contact the nearest Skoda garage to see if they have the part and get a taxi there or go to Euro Car Parts again.

I've had confirmation the Halfords bits have been dispatched but still waiting for any news from SkodaParts, so looks like my plan of working on the car this weekend has gone out the window. :(

I placed an order with SkodaParts on monday and only just received it today, There's also a message on their website saying they are having technical difficulties so orders may be delayed.

I placed an order with SkodaParts on monday and only just received it today, There's also a message on their website saying they are having technical difficulties so orders may be delayed.

Received my SkodaParts order today after phoning them to confirm whether it had been sent or not but, typically, my Halfords order hasn't come, even though i was supposed to have guaranteed delivery no later than today. :(

Halfords parcel thankfully turned up, so should have everything now, just got to crack on and do it.

Though plans have been scuppered a bit after the motor in the washing machine went and the engineer turned up with a motor that one of the mounts had broken off, so need to take a trip to a launderette while we wait a week for a new motor!! :(

This is as far as i can get:

I think its worth removing the main part of the EGR and the strut brace to help.

Strut brace removed but struggling with the EGR now. Nothing i've got will get to the bottom bolt of the 3 or the 2 on the bottom of the EGR that connects the EGR pipe. :(

Looks like a trip to Halfords tomorrow. :(

Well, took a trip to Halfords, spent a further £50+ but hopefully, hopefully it's all done. New gasket on, sealant put on for double protection, topped up with oil, ran the engine for about 30 mins and no signs of smoke. Fingers crossed it's sorted out now.

Thanks to the people that offered help and advice on here, Facebook and messenger.