Rounded the VTEC solenoid bolt. Help
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Rounded the VTEC solenoid bolt. Help
Tried removing my VTEC solenoid today, to change the screen/gasket, plus give it a good cleaning. I figure it's due after 133k miles...
The first bolt I tried removing would not budge. Not only would it not budge, but due to the bad angle and lack of visibility, I managed to make it a bit round. My 10mm socket would no longer grip it. So, went at it with a Craftsman bolt-out, which is supposed to grip the head and help you remove it. Nope. Turns out, the bolt is rusted into place to the point that the bolt-out tool just made the head even rounder. So now, the VTEC solenoid is being held in place by a bolt that has a round head, smaller than a 10mm, larger than a 9mm, the #4 bolt-out won't grip it, and the #2 won't fit on the head. Not only that, I haven't even attempted to remove the other 2 bolts that hold it in place.
Help.
The first bolt I tried removing would not budge. Not only would it not budge, but due to the bad angle and lack of visibility, I managed to make it a bit round. My 10mm socket would no longer grip it. So, went at it with a Craftsman bolt-out, which is supposed to grip the head and help you remove it. Nope. Turns out, the bolt is rusted into place to the point that the bolt-out tool just made the head even rounder. So now, the VTEC solenoid is being held in place by a bolt that has a round head, smaller than a 10mm, larger than a 9mm, the #4 bolt-out won't grip it, and the #2 won't fit on the head. Not only that, I haven't even attempted to remove the other 2 bolts that hold it in place.
Help.
Last edited by Type-Spaz; 10-12-2012 at 03:06 PM.
#4
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Re: Well, that was dumb...
Hit it with some good penetrating oil (not WD-40) and let it soak overnight. Then use either a) crow's foot b) a wobble extension c) a socket joint.
If the bolt head is rounded you can try to hammer a socket on it.
If the bolt head is rounded you can try to hammer a socket on it.
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Re: Well, that was dumb...
I'm thinking of trying the hammer first, though there isn't a lot of room between the engine and the firewall to swing a hammer.
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Re: Well, that was dumb...
As for how it's rusted into place, the bolts go through the VTEC solenoid's heat shield before entering the head, and the heat shield is made of a metal that does get quite rusty after 10+ years on the car. I imagine that once I'm able to break them loose, they'll (hopefully) come out without a fight. I did have the good sense to buy new ones before I attempted to remove them, once I saw how rusted they were.
#14
Re: Well, that was dumb...
Try using some PB Blaster. What I had used to get a rounded off nut taken off was i think a brinks socket set and it worked perfectly to get it off. not too sure if that is the same as the craftsmen.
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Re: Well, that was dumb...
Plus, (and I know I'm not alone here) just knowing that there's a damaged fastener holding something onto my car's engine is enough to keep me up at night. I'm giving it one more shot, but if I can't remove it myself, I'm not too proud to admit defeat and seek help from professionals.
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Re: Rounded the VTEC solenoid bolt. Help
this will work forsure..... if you really want that bolt out.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=turbo...9,r:1,s:0,i:80 THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED FOR ME
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=turbo...9,r:1,s:0,i:80 THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED FOR ME
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Re: Rounded the VTEC solenoid bolt. Help
this will work forsure..... if you really want that bolt out.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=turbo...9,r:1,s:0,i:80 THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED FOR ME
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=turbo...9,r:1,s:0,i:80 THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED FOR ME
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