I reinstalled my front engine cover while the engine was out of the car.  I used the gaskets that came in an L24 gasket set.  Now that the engine is in the car, of course I have a leaks at the top of the cover where it meets the head.  I don't know what I did wrong, so I don't know what to do different this time around.  Any tips, tricks, or insights would be appreciated. Are gaskets preferred to RTV?  Man, I hate doing things twice!

I assume the leak you are seeing is engine oil?   Did you use any sealant on the new cover gaskets?  Copper coat is what I sealed the cover gaskets with.

I used some locktite sealer on those paper gaskets, it sticks the gasket to one side and makes it more easy to put it all together, also the chance that it is sealed is very high. Just don't over do it, a little bit of that blue (silicone like) sealer out of a locktite tube is enough! (on both sides of the gasket.)

13 hours ago, S30Driver said:

I assume the leak you are seeing is engine oil?   Did you use any sealant on the new cover gaskets?  Copper coat is what I sealed the cover gaskets with.

Yes, it is engine oil.  I normally do not use sealant if I'm using a gasket. 

The front part of the head gasket seals the head to the front cover. When you pull the front cover while leaving the head attached, you need to pay special attention to the head gasket seal in that area when you reinstall the front cover - and it will require sealant which is tricky because the gasket will likely be oily. Some people cut the gasket back at the block face, clean it, the bottom of the head, top of the front cover, and put it back in place with sealant on both surfaces and "back in the corner" at the cut line. 

8 hours ago, adivin said:

Yes, it is engine oil.  I normally do not use sealant if I'm using a gasket. 

I do. It's good insurance. I imagine everyone has their preferred method. A Volkswagen engine builder taught me to apply a gasket sealer (I use Permatex gasket maker in the tube) this way: rubber gloves, put a small amount of sealer on your gloved finger, press it to your thumb, pinch the gasket between your thumb and finger lightly and keep pinching until you need more sealant then repeat. The object is to put a very thin layer of the sealant on both sides of the gasket and you can even it out by going back over the heavier parts when your finger has run out. This way you have a little added protection and you don't have RTV oozing out the sides (both inside the engine and out...) Ya, it's kind of a PITA, but it's worth it.

28 minutes ago, cgsheen1 said:

you need to pay special attention to the head gasket seal in that area when you reinstall the front cover - and it will require sealant

I think this is where I went wrong.  I didn't pay special attention to this area, and I don't remember if I used sealant there or not.  Thanks for the good info.  I will try your technique too.

9 hours ago, adivin said:

I don't remember if I used sealant there or not. 

IIRC It says in the bible... that's the servicemanual that you have to put some sealant on a few spots..  (I find it unbelievable that there are still people that put an engine together (I'm not saying you are!) without a service manual!  You can acces it for free!  These engines are not difficult but one WILL forget something or torck things the wrong way..

9 hours ago, cgsheen1 said:

pinch the gasket between your thumb and finger lightly and keep pinching until you need more sealant then repeat.

Exactly what i meant.. just to write it in english was just to difficult/ to much work Hahaha... 😆

11 hours ago, dutchzcarguy said:

Exactly what i meant.. just to write it in english was just to difficult/ to much work Hahaha... 😆

Oh, so you have a Volkswagen engine builder over there as well!

10 hours ago, cgsheen1 said:

Oh, so you have a Volkswagen engine builder over there as well!

OH !!! WE got many of those!!  They ALL have plastic fingertops filled with auto sealer shooting tips!  Don't your country have those to??