Table of Contents
How tight do you tighten valve cover bolts?
Tighten bolts/studs evenly working back and forth, assuring even pressure distribution on cover. Tighten until bolts/studs bottom out on head. Fully tighten, 8Nm (6 ft-lb) (10mm socket 3/8” / 3/8” torque wrench & extension).
Do I have to torque valve cover bolts?
Caution and correct torque is necessary for modern plastic valve covers because they will often leak if loose – even slightly – and are easily damaged if overtightened.
Do you use Loctite on valve cover bolts?
The proper bolt for valve cover has radial ridges or splines running from center to outside, no washer, no Loctite.
What happens if valve cover is loose?
Over a period of time the gasket becomes brittle and will crack due to exposure to dirt, debris, heat and other elements. When this occurs, the gasket can lose its integrity and leak, potentially causing cosmetic issues like leaking oil, or drivability problems and reduced engine performance.
Can you tighten valve covers?
Always make sure that you tighten valve covers properly, sequence and amount of torque. Always use the proper type of gasket. Never use gasket sealers except where they are recommended, and always use them in the recommended manner, so these are the things that can make a valve cover job successful.
What do you seal a valve cover gasket with?
Although valve cover gaskets don’t necessarily need sealers or cements, it’s a common practice to glue the gasket to the valve cover. There are a number of sealant choices, too. For this application, Permatex No. 1, RTVs or Permatex High Tack gasket sealant work well.
What happens if you don’t tighten your valve cover?
You can’t over tighten the valve cover cap nuts to “squish” the gasket. Well you can, but you’ll break the studs off. The cap nuts will bottom out at the appropriate torque and distance to the head.
What is the torque on a valve cover?
The valve cover gasket sits between the engine and the valve cover and seals the oil inside. Time and many miles can dry out or crack the valve cover gasket. If the seal created by the valve cover and valve cover gasket loses its ability to contain all the oil flying around inside then oil will escape.
Do you put RTV on valve cover gaskets?
Please note that RTV is not to be used on the entire gasket; the gasket should be installed clean and dry. RTV should only be used on the corners of the gasket and/or stepped casting areas that have a gap. Using a small amount of RTV will fill in those areas to assure a leak-free assembly.
How do I stop my valve cover from leaking oil?
How to fix a valve cover gasket leak. If you find evidence of a leak, the best solution is to use BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. Adding 8oz. of BlueDevil oil stop leak to your engine oil is guaranteed to permanently seal any oil leaks in your vehicle’s engine.
Will a loose valve cover cause a vacuum leak?
Low Engine Oil: You should be aware that a bad valve cover cause vacuum leak. If such a situation occurs for a long time, it can cause an engine oil light to appear on your dash, which indicates low oil in the engine.
Do valve cover bolts loosen?
I don’t have a part number for you but you definitely want to replace them when you do the valve cover. They will break very easily, and then you have to remove everything and start over.
Should I use gasket sealer with a gasket?
A general rule, if you are using gasket sealant, you don’t need a lot! Automotive applications commonly use gasket sealant alongside solid gaskets, as they are repairing older parts. Gasket sealant can be used to make cheaper gasket materials more robust, increasing adhesion and chemical/water resistance.
Do you have to drain oil to change valve cover gasket?
No, you do not drain the oil to change the valve cover gasket, but you may need to change the oil after because some old gasket may fall into the engine; the best option is to wait until you get ready to change the old, change the valve cover first, then replace the oil.
Can a loose valve cover cause misfire?
Misfiring Engine When oil leaks out of a cracked valve cover and falls into the opening of a spark plug, it can cause the engine to misfire or run rough.
What happens if you over tighten a gasket?
Continued tightening of the bolts will not necessarily increase gasket load or stop a leak, and if severe enough, the overloading may even lead to bolt failure. Over-tightening of flange bolts is a major cause of gasket failure. The net result – full gasket failure and increased leakage.
Is there supposed to be oil under the valve cover?
Oil under the valve cover, on the head, is normal. It is the drain oil that had be squirted on the valve train. During engine operation, excess oil from this area drains back into the crackcase via drain holes. If you suspect that there is excessive pooling in this area then check that the drain holes are not cleared.
How long wait after valve cover gasket?
If you used any type of gasket maker the longer you let it sit the better odds you’re going to have of it not leaking over time. 2 days would be a good safe bet. But at least overnight. If you drive it within an hour it’s guaranteed to start leaking sooner than later.
How often should you change valve cover gasket?
When running your vehicle, the valve cover will have to do its job and keep the oil from leaking out. Most of the gaskets on your car last anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles.
Can torque wrench loosen bolts?
You certainly could use a torque wrench to loosen bolts, it is not the best idea. Torque wrenches are precision measuring instruments, using them to loosen bolts is not in line with that purpose. You end up stressing the tool when it is used as a breaker bar, and you often need excessive force to loosen bolts.
