XSeries-forum

So I spent the weekend giving my X (4.4 with LPG) a thorough going over and decided to keep on top of anything I had noted over the last couple of months.

Stripped the rear hatch switch/light assembly as I had a random boot opening once or twice over the last month or so. Sure enough the connector was all corroded so I replaced the connector with a more substantial one and cleaned and sealed everything up. All works a treat and should remain so for the rest of its life. - £4 for a much better connector from Maplin.

A couple of times in really heavy rain I have had a tiny spot of water in my drivers side rear footwell and knew that it must be caused by a damaged door membrane. Removed the door card and as predicted, it looked like the dealer (car has only even been dealer serviced before me) had replaced a window regulator or door handle or something and just stuck back on the original membrane. With a few rips in it and not sealered all round the edge this was always going to leak. New membrane is now on order from the stealers. - £40 for the membrane and some new door trim clips.

The car is due an Inspection, so I had already acquired new Plugs, filters and fluids and set about changing the easy bits first. Air filter and Pollen Filter.

Then came the plugs... Opened up the drivers side bank valve cover first and the tell tale sign of dribbles of oil were evident, suggesting rocker cover seals need doing.
I then took the passenger side off to see if it was on both banks, but that looked dry. So after a quick look under the car and evidence of a very slight residue of oil all down the drivers side of the block I confirmed it was not just the bolt seals leaking into the cover.

So on order now is the complete rocker cover seal "kit" for both banks. Although the passenger side is all dry, I figured it was worth doing both banks together.
PCV hoses have been done already, so this is just a hangover from that, but will be nice to know its all done.

Looking at it, it is a simple job, even with my LPG install getting in the way very slightly.

Aiming to do it next weekend so will do a write up if I can.

I have to admit I am glad I can do all this stuff myself. Valve cover seal kit should be about £100 from BM but the labour is free

Jay

Must admit, I wish I had your engineering skills ! Must be very satisfying as well as much cheaper, and I'm sure you actually do a better job much of the time ! I'd be worried about causing damage that would then cause a fortune to sort, and not sure if I'd feel safe in a car I'd 'fixed' !!

Its funny as I feel the opposite. I don't feel safe in a car that someone else has worked on, I know its probably unfair on most mechanics, but I genuinely do not trust anyone to work on my cars. I want to know its done right and its safe and that means I have to do it. OK it takes up my time, but it saves me £££ and as you say its very satisfying.

Jay

Stripped the rear hatch switch/light assembly as I had a random boot opening once or twice over the last month or so. Sure enough the connector was all corroded so I replaced the connector with a more substantial one and cleaned and sealed everything up. All works a treat and should remain so for the rest of its life. - £4 for a much better connector from Maplin.

Would be really interested in a 'how to' on this - with a few pics as mine is knackered too........

Mini update.
Did the first rocker cover gasket at the weekend, didnt get as much time on it as I would have liked so still got the second one to do. A few tricky parts to it and I will update when I have finished the second one, but I can honestly say, it definitely needed doing. The seals were like plastic not rubber! Must be so many 4.4s driving around with leaking rocker covers.
Will try and get some photos of the boot switch too.