stupid question about valve cover

[mxprecidia]

when i was putting my valve cover back on i tightened one of the bolts too tight that the head popped off...what should i do? thanks

[Joey's mx]

If you dont want a leaky mess running down your head i would take the broken stud out and get another bolt to put in. Good luck!!!!

[mxprecidia]

thanks but i was asking how i can get it out????

[torpedan]

If it were my car...


I would remove the valve cover and replace the gasket with silicone(fill in the areas of the lip that used it.. i might leave the plug rings though.

[atlantamx3]

Originally posted by mxprecidia:
when i was putting my valve cover back on i tightened one of the bolts too tight that the head popped off...what should i do? thanks

Well, first, you need to get a torque wrench so this doesn't happen again.

Next, take the valve cover back off, and pray that there is enough left of that bolt sticking out of the top of the head so you can get it out.

This has happened to me 2X, so I know.

If so, you need to remove the bottom part of the bolt. If not, then you may be able to take a teeny-tiny scre driver and stick it down in there & try to coax/twist it out. When the bolt sheared off, it hopefullt left a little ridge on the remaining piece.

Next, you need to get a replacement bolt from Mazda & put everything back together with your new torque wrench and the proper factory torque ratings.


I would NOT recommend using silicone to seal it back up-- thats not only a bad idea, but a stupid one as well.

Good luck!

[torpedan]

Originally posted by atlantamx3:
Well, first, you need to get a torque wrench so this doesn't happen again.


I would NOT recommend using silicone to seal it back up-- thats not only a bad idea, but a stupid one as well.

You would be surpised how often this is done on OEM componets from the facotry.

Either way a TQ wrench is not nesseray use a wratchet and hold the head in the palm of your hand tighten till resistance is firm. You can also use a nut driver to get the same results, using a wratchet for a valve cover is usually a bad idea.

[Gro Harlem]

if enough of the broken bolt is sticking out (it should be), remove the vlave cover and use some vise-grips to twist that mofo out.

[mxprecidia]

i cant get the valve cover off with the broken screw in there

[Spotted]

Take the other bolts out and it should come off.

[mykel78]

I agree, you should be able to get that cover off, there are no threads in the cover, just the head. You may need to use muscle, in case the broken threads are keeping it tight, should come of with a little work. Do not torque the valve cover too much, don't risk distorting it. If just the head of the bolt came off, you'll have plenty bolt left to grab with pliers or vice grips, happened to me a month ago.
If you need to replace gasket, go to dealership, its around 20 bucks. Use the gasket and put silicone at the corners, I put a little everywhere, extra by the cam arches. You should go there for the new bolt too, but you may find one at a good hardware store, make sure its right though.
Just a note, It would take too much silicone to use silicone only, this cover has a deep groove in it, rubber gasket only. Other valve covers are flat, use a cork gasket, and can be installed using only silicone, if there's a gasket, use it.