Snapped valve cover bolt
 

Hi all,

I took off the valve cover on my 2.7L the other day (don't ask me why), and I ended up snapping off one of the little valve cover bolts.. I mean that stupid little thing snapped the head off it like it was made of balsa wood!! :bang:
My question is, is it really that important if one of the valve cover bolts are missing? Will it affect in any way the seal on the head? Also, should I drill out the bolt (which broke off flush with the head), or will it be ok to leave it alone??

it should be replaced, and unless you have experience with easy-outs, i would take it to a mechanic to do. Also, head bolts do not require much torque at all. check your manual, but it should be just a very small amount.

Is it really going to make that much difference if only one of them is missing??

OBTW, the bolt that snapped had to have been mis-torqued at the factory 'cause this is the first time that the valve cover has been off..

I don't understand, did it snap when you were taking it off or putting it back on. Either way, you can try to run without a bolt, it might work, just watch for an oil leak right in that spot. Otherwise, you'll need to extract the bolt.

If it snapped off clean at the head there may be enough left to get some vise-grips on. You'll have to take the valve cover off to get to it but that's a hell of a lot easier that drilling it out.

It snapped off cleanly at the head. (This happenned when I was taking the valve cover off.) There is nothing sticking up to grab onto..

Oh, I forgot to mention. My motor is the 3RZ-FE 2.7L 4-banger.. The bolt that broke is on the passenger side; it's the bolt next to the back corner bolt. So, if I leave it alone, there will be 4 bolts on one side and 5 on the other.

What he's saying is if you take all the other bolts out you should be able to take off the valve cover and gasket maybe as well, then grab the shaft of the bolt with a pair of vise grips and turn it.

And what Schuey is saying that it snapped off flush with the head, not the valve cover. Sounds like it's time for an easy out, I wouldn't trust the valve cover not to leak with a corner bolt missing. If it was one of the side bolts, it may be different.

-edit: just re-read your last post. If it's next to the corner bolt, you may well be fine. I'm not familiar enough with the particular engine to know for sure though.

It is not that hard to drill and use and easy out but be sure to use a left handed drill bit.
If you use the normal type bit it will push it in so you can never get it out.
Be very gentle with the easy out.... if you snap it off, good luck drilling that out! :cry:

"just re-read your last post. If it's next to the corner bolt, you may well be fine."

Yeah, it's not a corner bolt, it's the bolt next to it on the passenger side of the head..

What I'm going to do is just get a new gasket, bolts 'n washers and slap the valve cover back on for now (checking for oil leaks as time goes by).. If I do have a problem down the road, then I'll try using an Easy Out..

Thanks for the advice, everyone. This has been most helpful.

I would leave it and see what it does.. Drilling out on a steel bolt in an alloy head is a PITA.. Let the gasket sealer tack up a bit before bolting it all up, and keep an eye on it for leaks. I have had motors with them missing before.

Agreed.

Do any of you have a Chilton handy?? I can't find mine anywhere!

I need to know what to torque these valve cover bolts too.. (I know it isn't much) Anyone know offhand??

on my 22re i believe it is supposed to be 57 in. lbs. (INCH pounds)