uh oh... valve cover bolt!

[DavidT]

I just got everything back together... with only ONE hiccup... so far
I was tightening the valve cover bolts and I had one on the front side that seemed to be snug, yet my torque wrench (set at around 100 in.lbs.) did not stop... It was barely "snug" I gave it just a hair more and then it started free spinning headbang I pulled it back out and the threads on the bolt were wrapped in metal! cry
Why did this happen?
I stuck it back in... will I be leaking more oil now???

 

[SHO--ripper]

I don't think a stripped valve cover bolt will cause you to leak oil.

 

[SHOTerror]

Dude, this month is officially bolts and studs break because they hate the SHO. Your going to have to investigate where it broke and replace that part.

 

[sdpatt]

One stripped valve cover bolt shouldn't allow the valve cover and plug wells seals to leak, but it will allow oil to leak from the bolt washer area. You can temporarily use RTV to seal the grommet under the washer, but you will need to Heli-Coil (TM) or similarlary repair the threads in the head. It is an M6 bolt. The valve cover must be off to properly do this job as there will be debris from the drilling and inserting the new threads. This job should be done soon as allowing the valve cover to be heated and cooled during use while being unevenly held down could cause warping of the valve cover.