stripped valve cover bolts - any easy fix?
 

What would I do if the head side of the valve cover is stripped. I have a 94 accord vtec. The 2 front head holes are stripped.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Tap it with bigger threads

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Helicoils.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

If you tap it with bigger threads, then you would need a larger diameter valve cover bolt right, but those bolts are specialized from honda for that application, at least for the d16y8 and dseries motors.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

That's what I'm saying if you tap the head where do you get bigger vavle cover bolts.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

If you use a helicoil, the INSIDE thread diameter will remain the same as the original threads
Example, if you had to use a M10 diameter bolt, and the threads stripped out, you'd get a M10 size helicoil that will match the original inside diameter of the threads
DO NOT tap out larger threads here; it's not needed on something like this because they don't require that much torque
...and let's say you already did, in that case, go to the hardware store and match up the original valve cover bolt length with a new bolt+washer
The put your new grommet on your new bolt+washer and tighten it down
Simple, just remember which bolt goes where if you take the cover off again
^^

And yes, Speeder Wrench ftw!
(or a nut driver will work too)

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

so what fixes this? On my old car, the top had to be cut off in order to get the VC off and then this wouldn't come out of its hole.

http://i43.tinypic.com/24d4rw7.jpg

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Oh shit, well you're in a better position than I thought!
Most people with this problem have it broken off below the level of the top of the cylinder head, but you're lucky here!
Just grab that thing with some vice grips and turn it out of the hole, but don't break it off!
Then get the new bolts from Honda or the hardware store if you're feeling cheap
Simple!

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

this was on my old car, but i sold the car because this situation set me over the edge, just curious to see if it was an easy fix or not.

Tried vice grips and it wouldn't budge.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Is the stud EXACTLY like this?
Is so, you could try using a wrench on the hexagonal bit near the bottom of the stud.
A picture of your problem would certainly lead to better solution suggestions

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Youre in luck thats a SUPER EASY fix.

A 12mm brake line wrench would get that off without an issue. Then grab a new one from a junkyard and youre done!!!

If it was the threads on the head, you would just heli coil them.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

i tried to use vise grips but they would just turn and the bolt wouldn't move. the second long bolt on the other side broke off in the threads though.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Stick a skinny flat head in between the bolt and the head and try turning again.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

Does any body know what size helicoil set I would need to fix the threads in the head for the valve cover. I'm not sure what size the bolts are. I'm going to take them with me but maybe one of you guys could help. It's a 94 accord vtec.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

I believe its M6.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

I'll have to check it out tomarrow. But thanks.

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

If it's a 94 Accord, shouldn't this be moved to the Accord section so we don't get crossways with our info?

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

here you go. Get a set of these when u put your valvecover back on dont reuse those rubber washer things.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

Re: striped valve cover bolts any easy fix
 

well you could just get a tap and die set and creat new threads yourself but if that’s not what your wanting to do then get helicoils but a tap and die set in my opinion would work better