Disco rocker cover gasket?

Hi guys.

I've been looking at the Disco servicing kit that Difflock sells as a
quick/cheap way to buy most of what I need for my next service. I've
noticed they provide a rocker gasket cover.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know engines. Give me a PC
and I'll make it jump through the most amazing hoops, hell, I move
packets for a living[1]. I'm a bit of a have-a-go guy, give me the
instructions and I'll try anything (at least once[4]). But the thought
of opening up the engine to me is fairly scary - particularly from the
comments I've heard about the dubious quality of the Haynes manual (the
only set of 'instructions' I've got).

So my question is, given that I don't have any mates-with-toolkits to
call on should I **** things up and I haven't tried this before, how
much work/risk is there in changing this gasket? Are there caveats that
I should be aware of that the Haynes manual is completely ignoring?[2]

I'm probably over-reacting, but opening the guts of the machine up
brings thoughs of very expensive screwups. I suspect that once I do
start doing things like this I'll get enough confidence to try something
else next time, like, say, a gearbox overhaul or something[3]... *grin*

Much thanks in advance for your sage advice.

Cheers,
Aled.


[1] That's IP Packets - I work for an ISP as a Sysadmin/Netadmin.
[2] "Assembly is the reverse of disassembly" my arse.
[3] I have a long list of things that I *need* to do and things I want
to do. On the list of 'needs' is to get a new driver-side wing panel,
because the old one's inside skin is being held together by curust,
paint and hope.
[4] Cue the story of the guy who told me that changing a water pump on a
Honda Accord would only take about 30 mins. Well, he was right. It did
however take me the best part of two days to take enough things off to
actually be able to *get* to the water pump. That's when I learnt to
hate Haynes manuals. "Remove all retaining bolts." Sounds simple until
you learn that one of them was underneath the crakshaft pulley wheel,
another behind the timing belt and a third underneath the aircon
compressor. Cheers, thanks.

Aled wrote:

> Hi guys.
>
> I've been looking at the Disco servicing kit that Difflock sells as a
> quick/cheap way to buy most of what I need for my next service. I've
> noticed they provide a rocker gasket cover.
>
> Now, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know engines. Give me a
> PC and I'll make it jump through the most amazing hoops, hell, I move
> packets for a living[1]. I'm a bit of a have-a-go guy, give me the
> instructions and I'll try anything (at least once[4]). But the
> thought of opening up the engine to me is fairly scary - particularly
> from the comments I've heard about the dubious quality of the Haynes
> manual (the only set of 'instructions' I've got).
>
> So my question is, given that I don't have any mates-with-toolkits to
> call on should I **** things up and I haven't tried this before, how
> much work/risk is there in changing this gasket? Are there caveats
> that I should be aware of that the Haynes manual is completely
> ignoring?[2]

No really - changing the rocker cover gasket is one of the easiest jobs
on the engine - however, unless it's leaking why change it?

I think you'll find that the new gasket is in the kit for you to use
when you check the tappets (valve clearances) as part of the service.

I'm assuming you have a Diesel Disco here as the V8's have hydraulic
tappets that 'adjust' themselves (mostly).

Checking the tappets isn't tricky either - just needs a bit of logical
thought and patience.


--
Simes

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> No really - changing the rocker cover gasket is one of the easiest jobs
> on the engine - however, unless it's leaking why change it?

Er...
=20
> I think you'll find that the new gasket is in the kit for you to use
> when you check the tappets (valve clearances) as part of the service.

....aha.
=20
> I'm assuming you have a Diesel Disco here as the V8's have hydraulic
> tappets that 'adjust' themselves (mostly).

Yes, sorry forgot to mention that.

> Checking the tappets isn't tricky either - just needs a bit of logical
> thought and patience.

Ah, good good. I'll have a peep at the Haynes book when I get home in=20
the morning. I've got a few weeks off coming up so I think some=20
maintenance is called for.

*sigh* The =A335 kit is great, but after adding all the other fluids I=20
need (it's time to change the diff oils and I don't know when the=20
transfer/gearbox oils were last changed) it works out at just over =A3100.=
=20
I haven't even started looking at extras I want like a drainplug and a=20
few extra tools I need. I'd like a K&N filter as well...

Hrm, can I have an official birthday like the Queen has I wonder?

Cheers,
Aled.

On or around Tue, 17 Aug 2004 23:57:43 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Hi guys.
>
>I've been looking at the Disco servicing kit that Difflock sells as a
>quick/cheap way to buy most of what I need for my next service. I've
>noticed they provide a rocker gasket cover.

you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 are
the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cover
of the 300 here several times with no problems.

Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust the
clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"'Tis a mad world, my masters" John Taylor (1580-1633) Western Voyage, 1

In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
las.fsnet.co.uk says...
> you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 a=
re
> the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
> leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cove=
r
> of the 300 here several times with no problems.

I googled a bit more last night and found that it's recommended that you=20
replace it every time you have the cover off. Since it's included in the=20
kit and the kit is pretty reasonable, I'll replace it anyway since I=20
have it.

> Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust th=
e
> clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.

Ah, shibby, thanks.

Only problem is now that the =A335 kit, in addition to the toys I want,=20
currently adds up to about =A3250. Oops.

And that's not including the new spotlights I want.=20

*sulk*

Ta,
Aled.

Austin Shackles wrote:

> While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.

Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.



--
EMB
change two to number to reply

On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:16:12 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
>las.fsnet.co.uk says...
>> you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 are
>> the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
>> leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cover
>> of the 300 here several times with no problems.
>
>I googled a bit more last night and found that it's recommended that you
>replace it every time you have the cover off. Since it's included in the
>kit and the kit is pretty reasonable, I'll replace it anyway since I
>have it.
>
>> Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust the
>> clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>
>Ah, shibby, thanks.
>
>Only problem is now that the £35 kit, in addition to the toys I want,
>currently adds up to about £250. Oops.
>
>And that's not including the new spotlights I want.
>
>*sulk*

hehe. the joys of disco ownership... have you started looking at suspension
mods yet?


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn, The swallow twittering
from the strawbuilt shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing
horn, No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed."
Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.

In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
las.fsnet.co.uk says...
> On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:16:12 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
> >Only problem is now that the =A335 kit, in addition to the toys I want,=
=20
> >currently adds up to about =A3250. Oops.
> >
> >And that's not including the new spotlights I want.=20
> >
> >*sulk*
>=20
> hehe. the joys of disco ownership... have you started looking at suspens=
ion
> mods yet?

Oh don't get me started on things I need to do, nevermind mods. I need a=20
new rear wheel cover since mine died a few months ago, but I need=20
something I can put my own stickers on (unless I can get someone to put=20
reflective striping and lettering on it for cheap[1]). I need to sort=20
the dash out because it's annoying me where it's curled up and it's=20
apparently not covered by Landrover any more (they stopped doing it in=20
2002 apparently). I need to get new seals for most of the windows as the=20
old ones have cracked badly. The rear door needs sorting because it's=20
starting to drop[2]. The rear door hinges need work to get rid of rust.=20
I need to replace the inner wing on the offside. I need to Waxoyl it. I=20
need...

The list goes on and on. I've only had it for a year. That's all=20
before I start thinking about off-road capability - my usage is split=20
around 95% on road at the moment, though I'd like to bump that more=20
towards 85%. Anyone know of anywhere good off-road in South East London?=20


Cheers,
Aled.


[1] Yellow and red diagonal with "MOUNTAIN RESCUE" on it. Stripes need=20
to be of the very-high reflectivity that emergency services use.
[2] Anyone know if you can do something about this? Like get a third=20
hinge or something?

On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:32:20 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Austin Shackles wrote:
>
>> While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>
>Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.

really? The catalogue calls 'em "valve caps".

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"
George Orwell (1903 - 1950) Animal Farm

Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:32:20 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
>>Austin Shackles wrote:
>>
>>
>>>While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>>>little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>>>They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>>
>>Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.
>
>
> really? The catalogue calls 'em "valve caps".
>

On vehicles I have worked on before, the valve rotators generally sit
under the valve spring. I would think these are merely caps to protect
the valve stem, and provide a harder surface for the rocker to rub/wear
against...

Terry

Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:32:20 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
>>Austin Shackles wrote:
>>
>>
>>>While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>>>little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>>>They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>>
>>Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.
>
>
> really? The catalogue calls 'em "valve caps".
>

On vehicles I have worked on before, the valve rotators generally sit
under the valve spring. I would think these are merely caps to protect
the valve stem, and provide a harder surface for the rocker to rub/wear
against...

Terry

Except on the LH cover on a fuel injected V8 LR. For that one you have to
rfemove the plenum chamber.

Ron


"Simon Atkinson" wrote

> No really - changing the rocker cover gasket is one of the easiest jobs
> on the engine - however, unless it's leaking why change it?

The Becketts wrote:

> Except on the LH cover on a fuel injected V8 LR. For that one you
> have to rfemove the plenum chamber.
>

Not too bad a job - like most jobs on Land-Rover kit, the parts are
heavy, but there is usually room to get to them!

--
Simes

I've just pulled the plenum off my P38A today (and the heads - I've blown a
head gasket).

Ron


"Simon Atkinson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The Becketts wrote:
>
> > Except on the LH cover on a fuel injected V8 LR. For that one you
> > have to rfemove the plenum chamber.
> >
>
> Not too bad a job - like most jobs on Land-Rover kit, the parts are
> heavy, but there is usually room to get to them!
>
> --
> Simes

On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:16:12 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
>las.fsnet.co.uk says...
>> you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 are
>> the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
>> leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cover
>> of the 300 here several times with no problems.
>
>I googled a bit more last night and found that it's recommended that you
>replace it every time you have the cover off. Since it's included in the
>kit and the kit is pretty reasonable, I'll replace it anyway since I
>have it.
>
>> Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust the
>> clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>
>Ah, shibby, thanks.
>
>Only problem is now that the £35 kit, in addition to the toys I want,
>currently adds up to about £250. Oops.
>
>And that's not including the new spotlights I want.
>
>*sulk*

hehe. the joys of disco ownership... have you started looking at suspension
mods yet?


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn, The swallow twittering
from the strawbuilt shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing
horn, No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed."
Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.

On or around Tue, 17 Aug 2004 23:57:43 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Hi guys.
>
>I've been looking at the Disco servicing kit that Difflock sells as a
>quick/cheap way to buy most of what I need for my next service. I've
>noticed they provide a rocker gasket cover.

you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 are
the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cover
of the 300 here several times with no problems.

Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust the
clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"'Tis a mad world, my masters" John Taylor (1580-1633) Western Voyage, 1

In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
las.fsnet.co.uk says...
> you would be unlikely to need it. Assuming, of course, the 200 and 300 a=
re
> the same - it's a rubber seal in a groove in the cover. unless it's been
> leaking or is obviously damaged, no need to change it. I've had the cove=
r
> of the 300 here several times with no problems.

I googled a bit more last night and found that it's recommended that you=20
replace it every time you have the cover off. Since it's included in the=20
kit and the kit is pretty reasonable, I'll replace it anyway since I=20
have it.

> Haynes gives you the setting positions for the rockers to check/adjust th=
e
> clearances. While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.

Ah, shibby, thanks.

Only problem is now that the =A335 kit, in addition to the toys I want,=20
currently adds up to about =A3250. Oops.

And that's not including the new spotlights I want.=20

*sulk*

Ta,
Aled.

Austin Shackles wrote:

> While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
> little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
> They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.

Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.



--
EMB
change two to number to reply

Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:32:20 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
>>Austin Shackles wrote:
>>
>>
>>>While doing so, check for presence and correctness of the
>>>little hats on the tops of the valve stems, which can it seems go AWOL.
>>>They sit between the rocker and the top of the valve stem.
>>
>>Technical term being valve rotator if you ever need to order them.
>
>
> really? The catalogue calls 'em "valve caps".
>

On vehicles I have worked on before, the valve rotators generally sit
under the valve spring. I would think these are merely caps to protect
the valve stem, and provide a harder surface for the rocker to rub/wear
against...

Terry

In article <[email protected]>, austin@ddol-
las.fsnet.co.uk says...
> On or around Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:16:12 +0100, Aled <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
> >Only problem is now that the =A335 kit, in addition to the toys I want,=
=20
> >currently adds up to about =A3250. Oops.
> >
> >And that's not including the new spotlights I want.=20
> >
> >*sulk*
>=20
> hehe. the joys of disco ownership... have you started looking at suspens=
ion
> mods yet?

Oh don't get me started on things I need to do, nevermind mods. I need a=20
new rear wheel cover since mine died a few months ago, but I need=20
something I can put my own stickers on (unless I can get someone to put=20
reflective striping and lettering on it for cheap[1]). I need to sort=20
the dash out because it's annoying me where it's curled up and it's=20
apparently not covered by Landrover any more (they stopped doing it in=20
2002 apparently). I need to get new seals for most of the windows as the=20
old ones have cracked badly. The rear door needs sorting because it's=20
starting to drop[2]. The rear door hinges need work to get rid of rust.=20
I need to replace the inner wing on the offside. I need to Waxoyl it. I=20
need...

The list goes on and on. I've only had it for a year. That's all=20
before I start thinking about off-road capability - my usage is split=20
around 95% on road at the moment, though I'd like to bump that more=20
towards 85%. Anyone know of anywhere good off-road in South East London?=20


Cheers,
Aled.


[1] Yellow and red diagonal with "MOUNTAIN RESCUE" on it. Stripes need=20
to be of the very-high reflectivity that emergency services use.
[2] Anyone know if you can do something about this? Like get a third=20
hinge or something?