Technical Cam cover

[StevePD]

Hi, has anyone successfully repaired their cam cover that has cracked in the usual corner position? Anyone got a cam cover for sale? Dispite torquing my cover to 8N, after 3000km it has cracked.
SteveD

 

[Dave-M]

Steve I had mine repaired, cost I think was £25.I went down the route of buying a replacement, it was a nightmare, first one I bought already had a crack in it the second one the coil threads were stripped. Ended up repairing my original one
These are the guys I took it to, recommend people very good to deal with
http://www.davebrooks-engines.co.uk/services.htm
Have a revisit to this thread Steve, it explains why they crack
https://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta/231696-cam-cover-gasket.html

 

[StevePD]

Hi Dave-M,
Thanks for the response, I ollowed all the advice, even purchased a torque wrench to ensure I did not over-tighten the bolts. The manual says 7.8N for each bolt so I now reckon 6N is safer! I also tightened them in the right sequence starting with 4N then again with 7.8N
My home is in France so Now I know it can be repaired I will search out a suitable repairer (may not be possible to find), failing that I guess I could send it to Dave-Brooks.
Do you think the epoxy metal glue is strong enough in this area?
SteveD

 

[Dave-M]

Hi Steve, don't think I would use epoxy glue, my cover was cracked by a garage that did my timing belt, they didn't tell me that they had cracked it instead they used sealing putty. But I think the heat causes expansion and contraction , so eventually it starts to leak.Before I fitted my repaired cover I placed it on the cylinder head just to make sure that the cover was sitting flat and true, also I was advised never to reuse the rubber seal, always use new.

 

[StevePD]

Hi Dave-M, Noted and thanks again. I am asking around to find a suitable workshop that can repair aluminium. Failing that I am visiting UK in Oct and may end up taking it with me
Cheers
SteveD

 

[eramosa]

I have tried twice now to fix a troublesome leak from the cam cover. When I first got the car there were no leaks so I know it's possible. But since replacing the cam belt and variator, there has been a constant annoying leak. I bought a new gasket some time ago but have been reluctant to replace it simply because I'm afraid of cracking the cover. Are they really that hard to find?

 

[Dave-M]

Don't forget that there are 2 types of cam cover for the Barchetta. Difference is for the fitting of the coil one is a two bolt fixing the other a single bolt fixing.

 

[eramosa]

Hi Dave, what coil would that be?

 

[Dave-M]

Sorry for not giving good description it's the ignition coils that fit to the spark plugs.

 

[eramosa]

Ah , I gotcha. So I take it one cover accepts a double mount coil and the other a single .so that means I need to be specific if and when ordering a coil . is there a certain year when they changed. the 98 that I have are double mounts.

 

[StevePD]

My 98 LE has single mounts!
StevePD

 

[eramosa]

Well then, I have a feeling that either one would work. Perhaps one is a little bit cheaper. Or also that either coil would fit no matter which cover you used. Judging by the picture the mounting holes look to be in a similar position.