Valley gasket - should it be a big job for a garage ?

[earlybay]

Ive got a very definite leak from front right side of my valley gasket - unfortunately this is one im going to have to get my local garage to do - not sure they have much experience with Rover V8's - do you think it should be major job for them ?

[simonwedge]

It's not a complex job, any mechanic with decent capabilities should be fine. It's an ideal opportunity to look at the cam for wear though so make sure they do that. Also if the cam is OK but you've got some noisy lifters it's also an ideal opportunity to change them.

[adam quantrill]

It's quite easy - you don't have to remove the top of the plenum you can get at the bolts from the side.

I put a composite gasket on mine and also got an assurance in writing from RPI that it was compatible with my oil first to cover me (as some have found the underneath falling to bits into the valley...) The hardest part is ordering the correct oil seals for the ends - I ended up reusing mine...

Also check for any crud in the valley - for example valve stem oil seals can drop into the valley area and block the oil drips onto the cam - don't bother replacing them though.

[njhucker]

To stop future leaks use a composite gasket with the later type end seals
You will also have to use the later type end seal clamp plates, which you cam get from a land rover parts specialist or rimmer bros.

[voltage_maxx]

Just about to do mine for the 2nd time in 6 months (thanks to failed head gaskets).

It's a relatively straight forward job.
The most time consuming part is stripping the inlet manifold down, including all the electrics, cooling and fuel lines.

It's entirely within the realm of any competent home mechanic, so one would hope a professional garage would be able to do it with no problems.

[earlybay]

Shame I haven't got a knowledgable contingent nearby otherwise Id probably have a crack myself alongside someone else ! that way I could assess what else might be worth doing whilst I was in there (eg. new cam if that's worn ..)

[Rockettvr]

voltage_maxx said:

Just about to do mine for the 2nd time in 6 months (thanks to failed head gaskets).

It's a relatively straight forward job.
The most time consuming part is stripping the inlet manifold down, including all the electrics, cooling and fuel lines.

It's entirely within the realm of any competent home mechanic, so one would hope a professional garage would be able to do it with no problems.

Did mine over the weekend ( had a water leak underneath the inlet manifold) and as said above it a straight forward enough job it just takes time to strip out all the stuff that sits above it.
I managed ok and I'm a ham fisted idiot !!!!! Lol

[adam quantrill]

When I did mine I only had to undo the fuel feed and return, and the electrics to the injectors, and drained out some water from the block. The fuel rails can be left undisturbed as can the plenum. Oh and take off the accelerator cable, disconnect TPS and the other sensors, and the air hose into the plenum.