overtightened Valve cover gasket bolts
Yesterday, 12:45 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
overtightened Valve cover gasket bolts
I replaced the valve cover gaskets but I overtightened the bolts using 1/4" impact gun, idiot moment for me, just got a lot going on and had a dughhhh moment I guess.
My question is, can I just loosen them and torque them to spec or could the gasket be crushed?
My question is, can I just loosen them and torque them to spec or could the gasket be crushed?
Last edited by Gaberomero; Yesterday at 12:46 PM.
Yesterday, 01:32 AM
#2
The bolts usually loosen once A) the engine heat cycles a few times and B) the gasket takes a set. It’s good practice to re-tighten them all after a few days for that reason. They can be surprisingly loose a few days after installation.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
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Gaberomero (Yesterday)
Yesterday, 06:10 AM
#3
Pole Position
How do you know you over tightened them? .
Last edited by Gerf; Yesterday at 06:17 AM.
Yesterday, 08:20 AM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The bolts usually loosen once A) the engine heat cycles a few times and B) the gasket takes a set. It’s good practice to re-tighten them all after a few days for that reason. They can be surprisingly loose a few days after installation.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
Last edited by Gaberomero; Yesterday at 02:12 PM.
Yesterday, 12:24 PM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The bolts usually loosen once A) the engine heat cycles a few times and B) the gasket takes a set. It’s good practice to re-tighten them all after a few days for that reason. They can be surprisingly loose a few days after installation.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
So Sure, you can back them of and re-tighten. Or drive it a few days and do it then - you will then not have to worry about a + b above.
Yesterday, 12:46 PM
#7
Trending Topics
Yesterday, 01:23 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
*eats popcorn*
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Protholl (Yesterday)
Yesterday, 02:14 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
It depends upon what you set the gun to. On my 3/8” gun, “1” is generally 15lbs or less. If that’s what you did you should be fine. If you used a bigger gun, higher setting - back it off and re-tighten. The guns don’t deliver a guaranteed torque, it’s just a guess. These bolts don’t have crush washers on them like some Lexus ones used to; you can back them off and re-tighten if you feel the need to do so.
thanks for helping.
Last edited by Gaberomero; Yesterday at 03:51 PM.
Yesterday, 10:41 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
It depends upon what you set the gun to. On my 3/8” gun, “1” is generally 15lbs or less. If that’s what you did you should be fine. If you used a bigger gun, higher setting - back it off and re-tighten. The guns don’t deliver a guaranteed torque, it’s just a guess. These bolts don’t have crush washers on them like some Lexus ones used to; you can back them off and re-tighten if you feel the need to do so.
Today, 12:14 AM
#11
Why not test what the torque actually is? Take a torque wrench, break one open - or just do it by feel. There may be no problem here.
I don’t see a huge issue here. Alternatively, you could take it all off. Re-seat the gasket, dressing it with some Aviation #3 on each face, and re-installing the covers. The Aviation will fill and seal the gasket-to-face contact. I do this anyway on all critical gaskets like valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, etc. to prevent leaks. It works wonderfully.
I don’t see a huge issue here. Alternatively, you could take it all off. Re-seat the gasket, dressing it with some Aviation #3 on each face, and re-installing the covers. The Aviation will fill and seal the gasket-to-face contact. I do this anyway on all critical gaskets like valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, etc. to prevent leaks. It works wonderfully.
Today, 12:31 AM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Why not test what the torque actually is? Take a torque wrench, break one open - or just do it by feel. There may be no problem here.
I don’t see a huge issue here. Alternatively, you could take it all off. Re-seat the gasket, dressing it with some Aviation #3 on each face, and re-installing the covers. The Aviation will fill and seal the gasket-to-face contact. I do this anyway on all critical gaskets like valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, etc. to prevent leaks. It works wonderfully.
I don’t see a huge issue here. Alternatively, you could take it all off. Re-seat the gasket, dressing it with some Aviation #3 on each face, and re-installing the covers. The Aviation will fill and seal the gasket-to-face contact. I do this anyway on all critical gaskets like valve covers, oil pans, timing covers, etc. to prevent leaks. It works wonderfully.
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