Cracked valve cover [Merged 4-8] crack

[dave99gst]

I promise to be less careless with my words

less careless ?
sarcasism prob isnt the best way to get future help. (just my .02)

 

[DSM4me44]

I did the exact same thing when i replaced my gasket. Depending on where your crack is, i used JB weld ( the red and black tubes ) to fix the crack. But it turned out mine was cracked in more then one place, so i was scared and ended up having a shop put a new valve cover on, that way i didn't have to worry about doing it again.

 

[talondude4]

I got a crack in mine and it don't leak, idk i guess it's were the crack is located. It's not like the whole top end is filled completly with oil.

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

I mean for real, go to eaby and get a new one. Hell you can find them on there cheap all day long.

 

[brute]

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure the torque specs on valve covers are like 3 ft/lbs. This should explain why it cracks so easy with even slight hand-tightening. I believe if the crack lies around the inside (spark plug wire area) it won't leak too much, if at all. The outer one's will definitely cause leaks. Just buy an eBay one and paint it up real nice. That's what I'm doing

 

[Jcanapa]

They do make inch pound torque wrenchs and JB weld,

 

[TrboANTsi]

i cracked my cover too right next to the driver side spark plug..i bought a new one but have been too lazy to swap it..it drives fine but when i go WOT and do some hard driving it starts to spit oit and burn smoke. so ive been kinda babying it until the weather gets warmer..

 

[SpooledupRacing]

yea I would get another cover u can get them from a junk yard no problem

Dave

 

[Etalon_Natec]

So i noticed the VC gasket seems to be a little oil soaked when i was inspecting my engine bay and im wondering if maybe the bolts attaching the valve cover are just loose and if i tighten them i wont have to replace the valve cover gasket so i put on the 10mm socket and an extension and then tighten the hell out of them because they were so loose at first i figured oh ya this is definitely why its leaky........ crack what was that i wonder now me being 17 and having little experience with cars was wondering does every bolt on a car have a torque spec????? this is where i should of stopped ran inside and searched for cracked valve cover on dsm tuners but nope i was like naw only important bolts have torque specs and kept tightening crack!!!! then i could see where i just cracked my valve cover right near the drivers side spark plug it pours oil out now when the cars running can it be fixed even temporarily or do i have to replace the valve cover i was thinking possibly jb weld and i learned my lesson also know whenever i second guess myself while working on the talon i run inside and give the forums a search

 

[dedlewamp]

The valve cover should be torqued to 24 inch pounds. A Hanyes or Chilton manual will have the torque specifications for most bolts and nuts on your car. A valve cover can be found pretty cheap, so I'd recommend replacing it. The JBWeld will work, but I still would replace it. Make sure you get a new gasket too when you do that!

 

[elfroggo]

How much force does it take to crack the valve cover? It seems like a pretty substantial piece of metal. The spark plug cover on the other hand...

 

[playitlouddsm]

Doesn't take much at all. I only go till they feel snug, i don't want to have to replace the thing. Chiltons say's 2-3 ft, lbs is the torque spec.

 

[BoBbOrAzE]

I just used the socket extension piece and and criss-cross tightened until every bolt was relatively tight. Its hard to overtighten by hand just using the extension piece. Does not leak.

 

[dsmpokolm]

I have gone through the same thing except I wanst the one that cracked it. If the crack in the valve cover doesnt go over where the gasket goes you can get it welded for cheap. If it does go over where the gasket is then I would recommend a new valve cover. The torque specs are in low ft/lbs and I would recommend converting it to inch/lbs to get a more accurate torque spec. Dont just torque one bolt at a time either. You need to find a torque sequence. Most likely you will have to torque the bolts from the inside out. Good Luck and hope the advice helps out.

 

[Etalon_Natec]

The crack is in the center section of the valve cover near the driver side spark plug i can tig on aluminum pretty well but cast aluminum i believe is different and i dont want to take the chance of melting through it so for now i think i will jb weld it and in like 2 weeks im going to replace it and all the gaskets

 

[jaredgsx]

Can I JB weld a crack in my valve cover?

 

[4BangR-x]

you COOUUULD, but why not just get a different one out of the junk yard and paint her up?

 

[eclgst95]

Can I JB weld a crack in my valve cover?

Hmm damn, what did you drop it on the pavement?
Anyway, you could definatly try and jb weld it, get the stuff thats high temp. Reinstall it. Go for a short 5 minute drive check the hood and make sure theres no oil around. I dont see why this wouldnt work

 

[4BangR-x]

i was wondering how the hell you would crack it.

 

[force-fed]

Get the area really clean and seal that crack, works like a charm.

 

[DSMark]

I Love JB Weld. That stuff sealed a crack in my radiator when i had my 1g and now its sealing a crack in my water pipe since we cracked it when we were installing my 57 trim.

 

[spoold]

im assuming you cracked it by overtightening the bolts that hold it on, since i did that as well

 

[AWD_Launch]

I've had two crack when I tightened them to specs, just my luck

 

[4BangR-x]

I've had two crack when I tightened them to specs, just my luck

umm isnt spec torque like 3lbs?

 

[twack]

I cracked mine and it was leaking oil and pooling on the top i used jb weld and ive had no more pools so i say go for it and if it dosnt work time to pick up a new one