oil leak...but where from and how to resolve it?

[kundi13]

i have a oil leak in my mk1 1996 clio.

i changed the oil filter and added silicon around the seal to fill the gap and now its still leaking. the oil filter is fine cos i touched around the rim of it and it was dry... the oil only leaks when the car is at rest (engine off). the oil seems to be coming from behind the exhaust manifold... cos theres alot of oil mark around the spark plugs?

any suggestions ?

[MAXIBOY]

rocker cover gasket

[kundi13]

where is that and what does that do ? im a newbie to engines but i like to learn.

[MAXIBOY]

its a rather large gasket that goes around the top of the engine between the top of the cylinder head and the valve/rocker cover. its easy too change and quite cheap. basically you have to remove the plug leads and undo 16 bolts. remove the valve cover and clean all traces of the old gasket away and refit the new one. if you new to engines buy a haynes manual as this will help a little.

[kundi13]

right i just took it to the garage for a check up and found that it could be the head gasket or a crack somewhere so the mechanic priced me at £350 to change the gasket...i think thats way too much just to change the head gasket and if its going to cost that much i rather do it myself!!!

where can i get the head gasket part from for this 1.2 clio mk1. 1996 n reg ?? and how much should i be looking to spend on the head gasket part?

[MAXIBOY]

head gaskets really leak oil from them externally. where abouts in the country are you.

[kundi13]

im based in east london. essex. is it that simple to replace the gasket ?

[MAXIBOY]

rocker cover yeah. if the head gasket went it could not leak oil into the plug holes. if the head gasket has gone then 350 is not a bad price buti would want to be sure 100% FIRST.