My Valve Cover was not torqued at ALL! Is there damage?

[ChiGGz]

WOW, I just found out the source of my oil leak, apparently the valve cover screws were torqued down by a 5 year old or something. It's unbelievable how loose they were, every single bolt! Just ran the car under full boost and not a single leak in sight
Now I'm just wondering, other than always losing oil, is there any other damage that could have happened? Do I need a new valve cover gasket? Or anything else? What should I look for?

 

[brn2race96]

WOW, I just found out the source of my oil leak, apparently the valve cover screws were torqued down by a 5 year old or something. It's unbelievable how loose they were, every single bolt! Just ran the car under full boost and not a single leak in sight
Now I'm just wondering, other than always losing oil, is there any other damage that could have happened? Do I need a new valve cover gasket? Or anything else? What should I look for?

I dont think that can cause any damage unless you weren't filling in oil ocasionaly, knowing you were losing oil. Just for the peace of mind I would throw in a new valve cover gasket and make sure to tighten the bolts. Remember not to over tighten the bolts as that make cause your valve cover to leak.

 

[drivemusicnow]

I'm not sure exactly how loose we're talking here... I mean.. like street corner hooker loose??

No but seriously, The valve cover has a very low torque on those bolts... Its magnesium, and deforms easily. be very careful not to over torque.

and no, nothing can be damaged from it (well... unless a HUGE amount of oil was leaking out of it..) however its definitely something you want to fix.

 

[femmeDSM]

I agree, I can't think of anything that would be damaged specifically by the vc being under-torqued. The only potential problems would have come from the loss of oil, rather than the valve cover itself. I would definitely replace that gasket, though. I think a gasket set is like <$50.00 at O'Reilly's.

 

[Defiant]

The valve cover has a very low torque on those bolts... Its magnesium, and deforms easily.

(Die-cast aluminum, and cracks very easily.)

 

[drivemusicnow]

(Die-cast aluminum, and cracks very easily.)

hmmm I don't know why I thought it was magnesium... oh well

 

[steve]

It's unbelievable how loose they were, every single bolt! have happened? Do I need a new valve cover gasket?

The rocker cover bolts only get 2-3 ft lbs torque. That isn't very tight.
If it was leaking oil at those settings the gasket is bad and needs replacing.

Steve

 

[TJGoSurf]

hmmm I don't know why I thought it was magnesium... oh well

Wouldnt that catch on fire?

Just remember, a cover most of the time isnt needed, but its not recommend you take it off either. As long as you dont break any bolts on it, you're good. Just make sure you clean ALL the oil off the inside valve cover, and where the gasket goes on the head. If you get oil on the cork style and definetely the rubber it will leak again. A tad bit of gasket sealer wouldnt hurt either.

 

[steve]

Just remember, a cover most of the time isnt needed, but its not recommend you take it off either.

The rocker cover is mandatory, you would get oil spray everywhere without it and get all sorts of road junk in your oil. I don't know where you get the idea that it might not be needed?

The rocker cover gaskets are oil resistant rubber, not cork like you would find on a V8.
The only problem with them is that they get hard over time from the heat and leak.

Steve

 

[TJGoSurf]

The rocker cover is mandatory, you would get oil spray everywhere without it and get all sorts of road junk in your oil. I don't know where you get the idea that it might not be needed?

The rocker cover gaskets are oil resistant rubber, not cork like you would find on a V8.
The only problem with them is that they get hard over time from the heat and leak.

Steve

I didnt say it was a good idea. It'll run for a few minutes without it on.