AAZ valve cover gasket - best quality?

[Gizmoman]

This is my fourth attempt to fix my leaky valve cover   Looking for a new gasket. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an oil leak.

Mine was brand new but on my third attempt, I noticed a small crack in the corner where the rubber goes over the front cam bearing. I cleaned it with acetone and squirted in a bit of sealant, then gooped it up (both sides), let it set up a bit ,and then did a final tightening - better, but still leaks a bit.

I also noticed that it has to stretch over the cam bearing quite a bit and gets thinner as I tighten it. I think it's just not a quality gasket and may be thinner than it should be in general. I think mine was a Fel-pro but I'm not positive.

I believe there is possibly a better manufacturer and if someone could post a recommendation, I'd appreciate it.

[745 turbogreasel]

My Goetze was nice, but i don't immediately see one for sale in the US...but I did find this;

Analogous \ Similar Parts of GOETZE 24-27921-00/0 (2427921000)
Manufacturer    Number    Description
AJUSA    11059400    Gasket, rocker cover
AJUSA    56006400    Gasket Set, rocker cover
AUDI    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
AUTOMEGA    301030483028G    Gasket, rocker cover
BGA    RC1343    Gasket, rocker cover
BGA    RK6363    Gasket Set, rocker cover
CORTECO    023988P    Gasket, rocker cover
ELRING    470.280    Gasket Set, rocker cover
ELRING    619.771    Gasket, rocker cover
ELWIS ROYAL    1556023    Gasket, rocker cover
ELWIS ROYAL    9156023    Gasket Set, rocker cover
FAI AUTOPARTS    RC537S    Gasket, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15186    Gasket, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15192    Gasket Set, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15194    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    53270    Gasket, rocker cover
GLASER    V32231    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    V32231-00    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    X5327000    Gasket, rocker cover
GLASER    X5327001    Gasket, rocker cover
GOETZE    50-027921-00    Gasket, rocker cover
HAVAM    PX0791    Gasket, rocker cover
JP GROUP    103048013    Gasket, rocker cover
JP GROUP    1119200400    Laying klapanno ї krishki
MALO    15186    Rubber Buffer, suspension
MAXGEAR    70-0033    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    028103483G    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    028103483GS    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    028103483GS1    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    95VW6584BA    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    V3223100    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    X5327000    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    X5327001    Gasket, rocker cover
OSTROJEKA    OSR703125700    Filia OSTROJEKA
PAYEN    HM5367    Gasket Set, rocker cover
PAYEN    JP003    Gasket, rocker cover
REINZ    15-31257-01    Gasket Set, rocker cover
REINZ    713125700    Laying klapannoj covers
SEAT    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
SKODA    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
SPESSO    41178/3200    Gasket, rocker cover
SWAG    32 91 5186    Gasket, rocker cover
SWAG    32 91 5190    Seal Ring, cylinder head cover bolt
SWAG    32 91 5194    Gasket Set, rocker cover
TOPRAN    100 288    Gasket, rocker cover
TRISCAN    515-8596    Gasket Set, rocker cover
TRUCKTEC AUTOMOTIVE    07.10.017    Gasket, rocker cover
VAG    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
VAG    3X028103533    Gasket Set, rocker cover
VOLKSWAGEN    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover

[wolf_walker]

I used a Beck Arnley or whatever it is off amazon awhile ago that seems OK.
Think I actually got one from Porthe that was alright too, go figure.
Weren't a lot of readily available options in the US last I looked.
They seem to leak bout as bad as the old perimeter bolt ones did anyway.
I think I ended up with very careful application of high torque grey RTV that finally
stopped mine.

[Gizmoman]

My Goetze was nice, but i don't immediately see one for sale in the US...but I did find this;

Analogous \ Similar Parts of GOETZE 24-27921-00/0 (2427921000)
Manufacturer    Number    Description
AJUSA    11059400    Gasket, rocker cover
AJUSA    56006400    Gasket Set, rocker cover
AUDI    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
AUTOMEGA    301030483028G    Gasket, rocker cover
BGA    RC1343    Gasket, rocker cover
BGA    RK6363    Gasket Set, rocker cover
CORTECO    023988P    Gasket, rocker cover
ELRING    470.280    Gasket Set, rocker cover
ELRING    619.771    Gasket, rocker cover
ELWIS ROYAL    1556023    Gasket, rocker cover
ELWIS ROYAL    9156023    Gasket Set, rocker cover
FAI AUTOPARTS    RC537S    Gasket, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15186    Gasket, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15192    Gasket Set, rocker cover
FEBI BILSTEIN    15194    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    53270    Gasket, rocker cover
GLASER    V32231    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    V32231-00    Gasket Set, rocker cover
GLASER    X5327000    Gasket, rocker cover
GLASER    X5327001    Gasket, rocker cover
GOETZE    50-027921-00    Gasket, rocker cover
HAVAM    PX0791    Gasket, rocker cover
JP GROUP    103048013    Gasket, rocker cover
JP GROUP    1119200400    Laying klapanno ї krishki
MALO    15186    Rubber Buffer, suspension
MAXGEAR    70-0033    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    028103483G    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    028103483GS    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    028103483GS1    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    95VW6584BA    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    V3223100    Gasket Set, rocker cover
OE    X5327000    Gasket, rocker cover
OE    X5327001    Gasket, rocker cover
OSTROJEKA    OSR703125700    Filia OSTROJEKA
PAYEN    HM5367    Gasket Set, rocker cover
PAYEN    JP003    Gasket, rocker cover
REINZ    15-31257-01    Gasket Set, rocker cover
REINZ    713125700    Laying klapannoj covers
SEAT    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
SKODA    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
SPESSO    41178/3200    Gasket, rocker cover
SWAG    32 91 5186    Gasket, rocker cover
SWAG    32 91 5190    Seal Ring, cylinder head cover bolt
SWAG    32 91 5194    Gasket Set, rocker cover
TOPRAN    100 288    Gasket, rocker cover
TRISCAN    515-8596    Gasket Set, rocker cover
TRUCKTEC AUTOMOTIVE    07.10.017    Gasket, rocker cover
VAG    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover
VAG    3X028103533    Gasket Set, rocker cover
VOLKSWAGEN    028103483G    Gasket Set, rocker cover

WOW, nothing like choice overload

Thanks. Wish I had dimensions on the thickness of the different brands. I'll bet there are maybe two or three manufacturers in the world (if that).

[745 turbogreasel]

I'd say you should be able to get elring or reinz through any major distributor, and I'd expect either to be about as good as OEM.

[wolf_walker]

Note that more than a few vendors are messed up on the AAZ vs TDI gasket.
If you google 028103483G it's a TDI gasket.  Don't trust the number, look at the part too.


Beck Arnley 036-1658 is correct, rock auto had them too.

068129713F I believe is the AAZ VW PN.

[Gizmoman]

Thanks Wolf, I noticed that as well.
The TDI gasket has one straight side and one wavy side. The AAZ gasket is straight on both sides. I ordered a Beck Arnley from Parts Geek - hope it fits better than the one I have now.
Seriously, I'm tempted to modify the cover somehow so it will hold 1/4" O-ring material. I hate using silicone on something I may want to remove periodically.
The 50 degree tilt of the engine seems to be a bit much for the current seal design. It's possible the three cone shaped indentations have been pressed in too far from over-zealous tightening and the edge is no longer clamping down as tight as it should.  Maybe I could make a simple "tool & die" and push it back out from the inside using an arbor press.

[wolf_walker]

I had to clearance something on the hold own bolts or studs or something on mine, it was bottoming out
even with new center rubber and not really tightening.  Been awhile.  So far I had better luck with the old
stamped perimeter bolt cover using the rubber ABA gasket than this new center style.  Reminds me of
chevy v8's.. 

[Gizmoman]

Just an update. . .
After many attempts to fix my leaky valve cover (tried permatex Ultra Grey, first a few dabs, then the entire lower side) I finally guessed the thing had simply been tightened too tight and lost the height relationship between the cone washers and the flange.
I made a wooden flange cradle and turned a steel die out of round stock to match the 45* bevel of the cones.


Then I measured the before and after distance from the tool to the table surface. . .


Put it under the arbor press a few times till I could feel it "give" a bit.


Did that for all three holes and ended up moving the conical surface about .05" for each hole. Now when I install it, all the force goes directly to the perimeter flange first before it hits the rubber cone washers on the studs - yeah!

BTW, I used a new Beck/Arnley gasket 036-1658. Well packaged, and arrived in four days (un-bent) from Parts Geek

I still put a dab of silicone in the corners of the front cam bearing - one dab in each corner under the gasket, and a dab on each rounded corner of the cover. I also cut two tiny pins from SS rod and inserted them into the two rubber nipples (into the tiny holes). This made them stiffer and held the seal onto the head much better - nothin' like hard nipples!

Bottom line - no more leaky valve cover!!! And I didn't have to goop it up so I can take it off when I want without all the hassle.

For anyone who wants to know, before I "adjusted" the cover - the depth from the topmost edge of the cone (at the stud holes) to a flat surface (that the cover is resting on) was typically 1.75". All three now measure around 1.85 or so.

[wolf_walker]

Probly same problem with mine, I was less fancy and used washers to give it more thread to tighten down on before bottoming.
Awesome fixin though.  Stamped valve covers suck.

[Gizmoman]

Yeah, washers would do the same pretty much. I get a kick out doing stuff like this though - sometimes the ideas work, sometimes I wreck stuff.

I spoze a guy could use the end of a sawed off broom handle (the round end) and a hammer on the lawn (if it wasn't frozed).