Valve cover bolts really do back out

[thatgreentruck]

Ive had a weeping from both valve covers for a couple years and was finally about to replace both when I came across a thread mentioning how the bolts can loosen over time.
Sure enough every one was loose, barely finger tight. To snug them up, maybe 15-20 Nm took about 3/4 turn on each bolt.
Maybe this will buy me a couple more years.

 

[Drcoffee]

The rubber gasket and grommets harden over time and lose their resilence. So years later the bolts will feel like they have backed out when its just shinkage of the gaskets. You'll also find a number of threads where the leaking increased after tightening the bolts or worse, cracking the valve covers. Its not hard to do and not as complicated as it may look to replace the gaskets.

 

[jklmc]

I tightened what the rachet could reach last night...

 

[Nashvegas34]

Anyone know right off how many bolts there are? I tightened the 8 that I could see and reach (the driver side closest to firewall was very tough to reach) last weekend, but not sure if there are others. Thanks.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Eight per side.

 

[Killa-Cotton]

Great post. My covers are starting to show some signs of weeping. They aren't really leaking yet but I've noticed some place around the covers where the dust sticks. I'll try tightening mine slightly and see if I can go a little while longer before replacing them. Thanks! :thumb3:

 

[Nashvegas34]

All right, I'm gonna ask the dumb question: Where are the other 8? I see 4 on each side, just below the spark plug tubes. I don't see the other 8. Thanks.

 

[9lb taco]

I tightened what the rachet could reach last night...

Keep a closer eye on that now. Since only some of the outside bolts were tightened and the remaining ones are still loose that could have made it worse.

 

[t4r4life]

they are notorious for snapping, those freaking tiny bolts! ask me how i know