Valve bolts broke & stuck

TUBHMOOBVAJ · Feb 20, 2011

So this morning I changed my valve cover to a custom painted one and while I was putting the bolts back on, one of the bolts broke. It's the front one closest to the timing belt cover. When I took off the valve cover to inspect, the lower half bolt is broken and stuck onto the cylinder head, flush onto the head. I was planning to use a vice grip to pull it out but there isn't any part of the broken bolt exposed.

What would you guys recommend? Suggestions would be helpful.

nsjames · Feb 20, 2011

You've got a few options.

Left hand drill bit and extractor.

Tack weld a nut to the bolt shank, the weld won't stick to the aluminum head. Usually the heat also helps loosen it.

Drill it out and helicoil the hole if it goes badly.

Listed in order of ease.

TUBHMOOBVAJ · Feb 20, 2011

Should I take the cylinder head off or drill while it's still on?

What are some of the risks?

HondaLuver83 · Feb 20, 2011

Since u overtorqued the bolts i would have to say ur not mechanically inclined to fix the issue sorry.

Take the car to a machinest.
Or machine shop. They shud be able to use their tools to extract the broken bolt. A good rull of thumb is to spin the rachet with ur finger until tight and then a 1/4 turn. If u building and engine, u must conform to torque settings.

You can leave it until u fix it but u will leak oil

TUBHMOOBVAJ · Feb 20, 2011

Wintery day in Mn played a big role with the broken bolt!

Anyways thanks for the heads up, contacting a shop near me and waiting for their reply.

2000BlackCoupe · Feb 20, 2011

for future reference, i think the valve cover bolts specified torque is 84in/sq inch. good luck man

iROYAL · Feb 20, 2011

in/sq inch? I've never heard that, I've heard lb-ft and if you meant that, 84 would over torque them.

I.e.

Valve covers bolts should be finger snug, like spark plugs.

ryan s · Feb 20, 2011

its in-lb...80 ft-lb is for lug nuts :lawl:

and yeah, they sell in-lb torque wrenches :lawl:

redlinevtec · Feb 21, 2011

lol daummmm 80 for lugs??? And the head studs! 75 is just about right for the lugs. Not the head studs lol

TUBHMOOBVAJ · Feb 21, 2011

I got it fixed, left hand drill and screw extractor did the trick. Picked up an extra bolt from the dealership and got it installed. Not as tough as I thought, just takes time.

Valve bolts broke & stuck

TUBHMOOBVAJ

Well-Known Member

nsjames

Well-Known Member

TUBHMOOBVAJ

Well-Known Member

HondaLuver83

Well-Known Member

TUBHMOOBVAJ

Well-Known Member

2000BlackCoupe

Well-Known Member

iROYAL

Well-Known Member

ryan s

they dont think it

redlinevtec

Well-Known Member

TUBHMOOBVAJ

Well-Known Member

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