Valve Cover Gasket Question

[erik84]

So I replaced my valve cover gasket just an hour ago. And now i'm wondering how tight I should have made the bolts. It's tough to judge since you have the rubber seals under each bolt.

Should I be using a torque wrench? Hopefully someone can give me an answer before it's time to drive to work in the morning. :P

Let me know, thanks.

[Chawk]

I never use a torque wrench. probably not smart to a lot of technicians and things, but with the valve cover gasket it is really not a big deal, tighten them down semi tight but do not crank on it with everything that you have since the valve cover is alluminum. there is not alot of pressure put on these gaskets.

[push2.0]

tighten them with 1/4 in wrench when the get stiff to your wrist 1/4 turn more wont take much to crack the valve cover so be gental

[eszoom]

sorry if this is thread jacking but just wondering, if the valve cover gasket doesn't seat properly, can you get oil on the top half of the spark plug? thanks

[njaremka]

with the rubber gasket, you only want to make the bolts tight enough so that it doesnt leak - and, that like a little more than finger tight. it shouldnt take very much.

[winordieracin]

tech manual states 6.9-9.8 Newton/meters of pressure or 60.8-86.7 in.lbf for all surrounding bolts and the two longer bolts

[njaremka]

tech manual states 6.9-9.8 Newton/meters of pressure or 60.8-86.7 in.lbf for all surrounding bolts and the two longer bolts

which is about 5-7 ft-lbs, which is about tight enough to make it seal, but not tight enough to cause it to bind. just tighten it down enough that it feel like its starting to compress. thats all it needs.