Basically I noticed after a few weeks of buying the car of someone that two of the bolts that hold the valve cover on, were not in at all, and have obviously been snapped and part of them is still screwed in the head . I can only guess this was done by one of the mechanics who fixed the head gasket, and looking through the receipts it looked like it went in for a few things to do with that like black spots and stuff. What I need to know is what I need to do to get these bolts out of the head (or whatever they are in), any input would be great, nearly forgot to say its a B16Z6, 93.

Cheers

 

Not sure which car you are referring to, but I recently did this on a civic, so the socket sizes nay not match up.

First, remove the oil breather hose from the valve cover. Next remove the ground strap that is usally attached to a bolt on the valve cover (10 mm socket I think). Next remove the valve cover nuts and valve cover. Then, using a 12 mm box wrench, open end, Gear Ratchet (these things work great for this, IF u have one), or deep well socket to remove the valve cover stud. Installation is reverse, just check what the stud should get torqued to. I just tightened with the Gear Ratchet until it was fairly tight. Also check that your valve cover gasket is intact, if not you may as well change it since you got the thing off anyway.

 

If the heads of the bolts are snapped off, then I would drill out the bolts (CAREFULLY) and then take whatever good bolt you have left on the gasket to a store for comparison to find a proper replacement. I had to do the same thing when I snapped the bolt off of my fuel pressure regulator valve when replacing my fuel filter.

 

Sorry, its a 93 1.6 vtec civic, and the ends of the bolts have snapped of. I've never really drilled any bolts out, so how do you go about it? Do you just use a normal metal drill bit just smaller than the bolts, or do you need a special one that grips in as it drills or something? Sorry i'm new to doing stuff like this .

 

Hi all,

IMHO
I would recommend the services of a mechanic/machine shop or a comparable person. if you are not familiar with metals and tools for this job you can cause damage to expensive parts.

If someone can show you how to do it, that is even better. then practice drilling etc on other stuff.

2003 accord service manual pages avail

 

hi all,

sorry forgot to ask if the broken stud/bolt is sticking up out of the surface so you can grab it. Use penetrating fluid (Nuts Off, WD40 etc) at least twice before attempting to remove stuck fasteners to avoid breaking parts.

If there is enough bolt sticking up to work with;
maybe cut a slot in the end of the bolt with a fine hacksaw and the use a flat screwdriver in the slot to turn the bolt.
* if the screwdriver alone cannot turn the bolt, carefully grip the screwdriver handle with an appropriate wrench or pliers and turn the screwdriver - do not force the bolts!!
OR
file two flat spots on opposite parallel sides of the bolt flat and grab it with a wrench or pliers.


do not damage or hammer on any aluminum parts

hope this helps