Weeping cam gasket? And other new owner questions

[ItalianDoc]

New to the forum. Can anyone advise me on if this misting/weeping gasket is something that needs urgent looking at or is it something not to worry about.

I have some crazing scratches to the front light units. My guess is there is no cost effective fix for this and I will need to bite the pillow?

The centre caps on the wheels – can they be refurbished or is it a case of more pillow biting?

I'm also interested in finding someone to take care of the servicing and repair work. I live in SE London but travel to Cambridge regularly so something in either area could work. Is it worth keeping the servicing with a main dealer or moving it to a 'specialist'?

 

[CatmanV2]

Welcome. Not 100% sure about the .nick but we get all types here

Weeping gaskets are something they all do, and you'll want to get them fixed some time. It's a biggish job as they are a bit of a sod to get the covers out. But nothing earth shattering. If oil starts leaking on the the exhausts it'll smell and you'll know about it, but again, not super urgent.

Centre caps are cheaper to replace than refurb. Ebay has loads normally from Meridien where you will get a discount.

Local specialist. I'd have no hesitation in recommending Matt and the team at Giallo in Tunbridge.

C

 

[azapa]

I would tighten the valve cover screws a tiny bit and clean the area. I use a quality Engine degreaser working in with a small soft paintbrush (I like Sonax products) and then some warm soapy water in a paraffin gun with a compressor. Avoid spraying anywhere with electrics!

I find your nickname troubling too, FWIW.

 

[ItalianDoc]

Thanks Catman and Azapa, good to know, and I will have a go at tightening the bolts a little first.

Any ideas on the lenses – I can't seem to find anywhere that just does the front covers – and the whole units are really silly money.

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks Catman and Azapa, good to know, and I will have a go at tightening the bolts a little first.

Any ideas on the lenses – I can't seem to find anywhere that just does the front covers – and the whole units are really silly money.

Sorry, missed that one. I suspect that the only fix would be replace. Unless they start leaking, in which case you'll be replacing them anyways.......

Some parts on these cars are unpleasantly expensive. Personally I'd live it it.

Ta for the nick change.

C

 

[philw696]

I would tighten the valve cover screws a tiny bit and clean the area. I use a quality Engine degreaser working in with a small soft paintbrush (I like Sonax products) and then some warm soapy water in a paraffin gun with a compressor. Avoid spraying anywhere with electrics!

I find your nickname troubling too, FWIW.

I wouldn't suggest tightening them as you could pull the threads.
They're an annoyance but want doing it's all part of maintenance.
Gets very hot in there.

 

[BennyD]

I've just had to helicoil a thread holding the black lid on the cam cover. Ive never done one before but it's a piece of p!ss.

 

[philw696]

Surprised you haven't done before Ian being around Motorcycles all your life.
I have quite a collection of the repair kits in my game not expensive and if there is a problem job done.

 

[voicey]

The official book time on a pair of cam cover gaskets is 9 hours! I can do it in less time but it's a tedious and fiddly job.

The leak doesn't look too bad in the picture however it will get worse so at some point you're going to have to bite the bullet.

The headlights might polish out but you'll need new centre caps for the wheels.

 

[GeoffCapes]

I got the centre caps for my 4200 from Gray Paul. They were only about 6 quid each.

 

[rockits]

I'd never worked on a Maser full stop let alone anything in the engine bay. I took my time & replaced the cam cover gaskets over a weekend. One on Sat & one on Sun. Didn't take all day each time I just was patient & didn't rush. If I did it again I would easily both both in a day. One before lunch & one after.

The key point to replace is when a weep becomes a leak. A weep is just that & fine in my book.

I don't think I would tighten anything beyond their recommended torque setting. It is there for a reason.

 

[StuartW]

Welcome along, it looks like the centre caps have gone up a bit in price, I paid £35 for a set last year from the same place, but they make a big difference.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-M...323590?hash=item23852f4786:g:pGQAAOSwopRYmZAa

Good luck with the other fixes but in the whole scheme of things with these cars, they're not too serious - enjoy!