Valve cover - something loose under valve cover (Pics)

[KillerX]

Ok so a while back I heard a weird noise comming from the cams... so today i got ticked off and took the valve cover off (becuase it was leaking out like crazy!) and I found this loose

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could this be causeing the noise? now how would I repare this? would I have to get a new valve cover?
ohh ya while im here wheres a good place to get new valve cover gaskets

Brad

 

[No_Skillz]

That can rub up against critical components in your head (cams) which is a big problem. You can try to repair it, however new valve covers are rather cheap. Why not buy a new one and ensure that your repair doesn't fail and cause something catastrophic? VC gaskets, along with the cam plug and spark plug hole gaskets, can be bought at any reputable vendor.

 

[92awddsm]

That is a baffle and it can cause some noise if it came loose. As for a fix, I would just replace the vc itself. The baffle is mounted in the vc on cast in pins that are peened over to retain it. If the pins somehow break off, there is no safe fix for it. Some will reccomend jb weld but dont do that. If whatever adhesive you try to use comes loose, it can work its way into the oil pan, oil pump, and through the engine creating several expensive problems that a cheap replacement vc could have prevented.

You can purchase a new vc gasket from most any auto parts store. They are made of rubber and most any will be of the same quality and material that you get from Mitsubishi. I usually get them from advance auto parts. They carry the fel pro gasket which also includes the spark plug tube seals and the half moon plug. Some manufacturers sell these parts seperately.

 

[KillerX]

wow + for you guys too bad i just cant rip that metal crap off.....can I? I liked this valve cover thats why i didnt wanna get another one (### i chromed this one) ahh well if i have to i have to also what torque should I put the screws back on Iv heard some horror stories
Brad

 

[92awddsm]

wow + for you guys too bad i just cant rip that metal crap off.....can I? I liked this valve cover thats why i didnt wanna get another one (### i chromed this one) ahh well if i have to i have to also what torque should I put the screws back on Iv heard some horror stories
Brad

I wouldnt suggest removing the baffle from the vc. It is there to keep as much oil as possible from reaching the pcv valve and vent tube on the pass side of the vc. Without it, you will tend to loose more oil than normal through the vent and the pcv will suck loads of oil into the intake manifold.

I dont know the torque of the vc bolts off the top of my head but they can be found in a chilton or haynes manual. When tightening the bolts, be very gentle and lightly snug them up randomly. If you try to torque one at a time, you will end up cracking the vc. I generally snug the all of the outer bolts first then proceed to the middle bolts in the spark plug valley. If you start with the center bolts first, you take a chance of craking the vc because the casting is very thin in the center.

 

[zippyshoe]

wow + for you guys too bad i just cant rip that metal crap off.....can I? I liked this valve cover thats why i didnt wanna get another one (### i chromed this one) ahh well if i have to i have to also what torque should I put the screws back on Iv heard some horror stories
Brad

The recommended torque for the bolts that fasten the valve cover to the cylinder head is only 30 INCH-pounds (NOT foot-pounds!). You don't want to crack your new valve cover by over-torqueing these.

 

[1stGenRocks]

since you chromed that valve cover it might be worth a shot to fix it. i havent looked at one lately but you might be able to drill and use a small screw to hold the baffle in place. just dont use jbweld since it probably wont last very long in the oil

 

[92awddsm]

since you chromed that valve cover it might be worth a shot to fix it. i havent looked at one lately but you might be able to drill and use a small screw to hold the baffle in place. just dont use jbweld since it probably wont last very long in the oil

I have tried this before and it didnt work very well. The casting of the vc is very thin where the baffle mounts so if you try to drill it, it goes all the way through.

One other option is to take it to a machine shop and have a little welding done. You cant weld steel to aluminum but they can spot weld the baffle back into place by tacking it through the holes in the baffle. Basically, set the baffle in the vc and where the mounting holes are, have them tig a slug into the hole so it acts as a retaining stud just like it was stock. If this doesnt make sense, pm me and I will try to explain it better.

 

[Defiant]

what torque should I put the screws back on Iv heard some horror stories

No torque at all, just snug. Best to use a nutdriver rather than a wrench.