Broken Valve Cover Bolt

[Izzmo]

Hey all.. quick (and maybe stupid question),

My brother's (99SHOTime) car sprung and oil leak, and after further review, it seems the valve cover bolt on the rear head broken clean off.

So.. what I have is an oil leak and a bolt with no head to unscrew it. Any ideas on how to get it out of there? If it helps, it's the bolt next to the right surge tank bracket.

 

[SHOZ123]

Take the valve cover off and whats left of it should come out with a vise grips.

Most people will over torque the bolt. it is only meant to bottom out and tighten no further. When reinstalling the bolts beware that the old seals have shrunk and hardened.

You can soak them first in some lacquer thinner this will soften and swell the seal. Then coat the bottom of the rubber seal with some silicone grease before reinstalling. This will prevent it form sticking and tearing when removing.

 

[Izzmo]

Well, the problem is that the bolt broke right under the rubber boot (and metal tab that holds the boot on). So.. it broke flush with the head, so vice grips aren't working.

I bought a bolt extractor tool a while back and tried that, but it doesn't seem to be digging into the bolt at all.. it's just make it shiny..

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I have a broken one on my front cover. Been that way for 4 years. No leaks but I'm sure it's not good to not have it bolted down.

It too is broken clean off with the head.

 

[Izzmo]

I bet you it's a top one isn't it? I wish mine was.. bastard is on the bottom

I finally got it though.. as a last resort I just stuck a flat head down in there and hammered it down.. it left an impression and I just started to apply press and twist.. and it worked.. thankfully!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Well, the problem is that the bolt broke right under the rubber boot (and metal tab that holds the boot on). So.. it broke flush with the head, so vice grips aren't working.

I bought a bolt extractor tool a while back and tried that, but it doesn't seem to be digging into the bolt at all.. it's just make it shiny..

Sounds like you're using a screw extractor and not a bolt/stud extractor.

You want an extractor that has flutes on it, not just a tip. You drill a pilot hole into the broken bolt (left-handed drill bits are great for this), and then sink the extractor in and start turning it out.

Or just RTV the gasket around the bolt hole and about 2" on either side of it. One missing valve cover bolt shouldn't leak too badly with good gasket and a little RTV.

 

[Izzmo]

Well.. it's not leaking horribly.. it's been leaking for about 2 weeks and the sight makes it look worse than it is.

But anyways, problem solved, now I just have to get a bolt. Chris, (your with NESHO right? If so, do you guys have any for sale?)

 

[SHOZ123]

Get a left handed bit 1/2 the size of the threaded remains. If you can flatten the broken part but center punch it and drill straight down, drilling in reverse. You will be rewarded with a smile.

 

[SHODWN]

Yep, just tell me what bolt it is and Ill send you one out..

Make sure that you always blow out the threads of all the bolts hole before reinstalling. they are tiny bolts and a little shit in there will snap it right off.

Some day a real procedure should be written, with all the bad thang that "can" happen if these steps are not done.