i was putting my valve cover back on and i snapped the back left bolt for the valve cover...i started it and let it run for like 30 seconds and no oil leaked...do you think the oil will start to leak? has anyone else had this problem???

 

go and buy a new one..all it is is a nut man, and i comes off with a size 10 I belive

|eb_CRX

 

no dude, the stud coming off the head which the nut screws on to is broke....

 

Same exact thing happened to me. As long as you have the other 4 snug (don't wrench on them, they'll break too ), then you will be fine as far as the seal goes. Put something tape over the hole where the 5th one goes, or put the original piece of the bolt in, and put tape over it, as long as it's sealed up. You'll be fine like this until you can get it fixed. Might be a good idea to drive a tad bit more conservative until you fix it.

Go to the dealership, and tell them you need a valve cover stud for your particular engine. They'll probably ask you what year/make/model car just to be sure, so give 'em that. Make sure you specify which one, cause the fronts and backs are different (at least on the SOHC they are). The dealership didn't have one in stock for mine, so he had to order it. I think the total was something like 6 bucks and some change after tax. ALSO, make sure when you order it to ask them whether it comes with a new grommet or not (that little rubber thing that goes around the stud to seat against the cover). Mine didn't, and I ended up having to use the old one, and it was a pain and a half in the *** to get it off the old stud and onto the new one, cause of that lip.

When you get the new stud, take your valve cover off and inspect. Most likely, there won't be any of the stud sticking out that you can grab onto with pliers. I got mine out with a small-pointed punch. I just put it to one side of the top of the stud, leaned it over a bit and tapped it in the direction you would turn the bolt to get it out... a couple light taps and it broke loose (the piece won't be in there hard, the lip is what you bottomed out on). Then just keep tapping it in the direction to turn it out, and eventually you'll be able to get ahold of it with your fingers and unscrew it the rest of the way.

Now, once you get it out, you can put the valve cover back on, and you'll be good to go... just don't torque those bolts down this time That lip just needs to make contact with the head, plus another 1/4 turn or so, that's all.


[Modified by matt-eg, 8:22 PM 9/2/2002]

 

i dont mean to scare you but your pretty much screwed
I did the same thing with my civic and the oil started to leak after about a week
Before i snapped the bolt my car was running perfet
After the car ran like crap
It could barely keep up with any car i would race
the car had no compression
The amount of oil that leaked wasn't a lot though-maybe 1 quart tops every 3000 miles but it did enough damage to the motor
your only option really is to bring it to a machine shop and have them fix or get a new head
good luck-dont wait til its to late