Fiesta HCS rocker cover: oil seepage?

[JimmyK]

I have a suspicion that the rocker cover on my Fiesta has become porous, and oil is seeping through it. There is some damage to the paint and evidence of rust near the recesses in the cover that allow you to get a socket on the fixing bolts.

Anyone had this on their car?

I do know that Fiesta sumps become porous, as I had to replace one on a previous car.

[chasbo]

I think you may have the seal gone. Undo the two bolts/nuts and remove the cover, check the cork/rubber seal, replace if necessary. There may be some seals in the cover,where the bolt goes thro'. You could take the opportunity to clean/repaint the cover. I've never heard of a porous sump or rocker cover, but i'm now educated!

[JimmyK]

hi chas,

I have tweaked the screws a little, am waiting to see the results. and will think about changing the cork gasket, I might also try a little silicon sealer around the bolt heads to try to decide whether the oil is creeping up from the bolt heads or seeping through the rusty bit.

but yes, the sump pan rots through on the front, which gets all the crud and stuff caked on it. I bought one from ford when I replaced mine, but I think most of the people who do body panels also do them. I had never heard of it until it happened on that car.