[Adam447770]

Hi all,

I need some help.
I was replacing the valve cover gasket on my 2004 1.2 twinport and wen I tried to torque down the bolts I sheared two.
Was able to remove from hole and now I've been left with two holes and I'm afraid to torque down any more.

I set my wrench to 7nm, is this correct?

Where can I buy new bolts for the car? They seem to come in wee sheaths and they appear to be stuck in them.

I cannot start the engine now, all other bolts are hand tightened. Picture below circled the holes where two failed.

Could tow to garage and see what they say but worried it'll be pricy and the MOT is due next week haha.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Mr drew]

There going to be dealer only parts I suspect. The torque sounds about right but if you've managed to snap two bolts there's got to be something wrong with your torque wrench. 7nm isn't much more than finger tight.

 

[marks152]

Got it in my head head they might not be available seperate from the cover.

 

[liviu2004]

I think if someone manages to break 2 bolts with 7Nm, then I would say honestly let a garage do the job. Probably headcover is warped, so another one needed anyway. And if 2 steel bolts snap, probably thread in cyl head is gone, since that is aluminium. Now it needs another head as well.

 

[MarkoM]

You dont really need torque wrench there anyway...the bolts can only go until their head reaches the cover, just tight them diagonally and have some feeling about it and thats it... Its not a cylinder head you are tightening.


About the bolts, just go to a hardware store and find one you can use. Perhaps bolts with hexagonal head (allen key) will be the best.

 

[Adam447770]

I think if someone manages to break 2 bolts with 7Nm, then I would say honestly let a garage do the job. Probably headcover is warped, so another one needed anyway. And if 2 steel bolts snap, probably thread in cyl head is gone, since that is aluminium. Now it needs another head as well.

I think my torque wrench may be knackered. I set it to 0nm and that sheared the 2nd. Shouldn't have done that. I was wondering why it kept not clicking... probably stupid but I'll definitely be calling my garage to ask for advice now.

 

[Adam447770]

You dont really need torque wrench there anyway...the bolts can only go until their head reaches the cover, just tight them diagonally and have some feeling about it and thats it... Its not a cylinder head you are tightening.


About the bolts, just go to a hardware store and find one you can use. Perhaps bolts with hexagonal head (allen key) will be the best.

Yeah I was thinking of just buying some new bolts too. The issue is, seems like they are stuck in the cover? Can't seem to remove them. New covers are like £20 on ebay may try that.

 

[Adam447770]

There going to be dealer only parts I suspect. The torque sounds about right but if you've managed to snap two bolts there's got to be something wrong with your torque wrench. 7nm isn't much more than finger tight.

I think you are right. I even set it to 0nm and it kept tightening!

 

[corsaz22se]

Dealer only part. they have a shoulder on them so you can not twist the cam cover by over tightening.
You could also find them at a breakers second hand.
Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[Adam447770]

Dealer only part. they have a shoulder on them so you can not twist the cam cover by over tightening.
You could also find them at a breakers second hand.
Where abouts in the country are you?

I see. Yeah I just popped one bolt out the cover and the shoulder came with it haha. I live in Paisley so Glasgow area really. There's a breaker yard I'm sure down by Hawkhead here.

Also, my torque wrench is obviously not working, to be honest its a cheaper one so that's probably why. How tight should I go by hand to do it properly?
Thanks

 

[Cal844]

You can get your torque wrench recalibrated but I'm unsure of how expensive it is. When I do these up I simply compress the gasket slightly and then run the engine upto temperature. If it leaks, nip it up slightly more

 

[Adam447770]

@Cal844 @corsaz22se @MarkoM I went to scrappy and took some from a corsa there and just tightened in the right order by hand. Ran it up to temp and then drove about town and it's not leaking thankfully. Not stopped the smoke that appears sometimes from below the right side of the valve cover.