valve cover bolts

doom26464

Research...research
Mar 31, 2005
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Saskatoon SK, Canada
www.cardomain.com
So I took the valve covers off today and when I was taking the bolts of i noticed they came off really really easy. Now shouldn't these bad boys be on there pretty tight? is that why there is tons and tons of oil in my spark plug valley and inbetween the vavle covers??


pretty noobish questions but mabye a simple answer will complete this simple questions :aigo:

also the head is brand new(only like 10,000km on it) along with the valve cover seals
 

cjsupra90

previously chris90na-t
Jun 11, 2005
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Lakeland, FL
They shouldn't be really tight, just snug. Most like though the reason why you have tones of oil down there. Over time, they do become loose cause the rubber grommets for one harden and shrink and two, the actual valve cover seal does the same thing especially on the exhaust side cover due to the additional heat on that side.

Me personally, I resnug (well atleast check and make sure that non have come loose) mine every time I change the oil. A few extra minutes of preventitive maintenance. ;)
 

shaeff

Kurt is FTMFW x2!!!!
Staff member
Super Moderator
Mar 30, 2005
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no, they shouldn't be too tight. but they should be tighter than they were. get some good stainless steel hex head bolts and new cove washers. i never torque those to the correct setting, but rather when i feel they are "tight enough".

everything else on the motor, i actually torque correctly. i'm not sure why i do those differently.

yes, if they are loose, that's where your oil is coming from. :)

-shaeff
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
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Valley of the Sun
6x1mm 27mm long to be exact ;)

I got stainless hex cap bolts from Ace Harware...used an inside star washer between cap and grommet. Torque is 22 in/lbs (not ft/lbs!)
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
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Valley of the Sun
Yeah...a 30mm length should work fine. The cap heads look really good though ;)
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
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Valley of the Sun
Yeah...they have a good selection. They do charge a bit on the high side for shipping though :icon_conf

If you need it, they gotcha by the cajonies.
 

iwannadie

New Member
Jul 28, 2006
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gilbert, az
I need to replace mine as well. When I was doing my BHG I ordered a valve cover stud kit from horsepowerfreaks.com. However, the studs didnt fit at all, they are to big and wont thread into the head. oh well