[Twixboy]

So my valve cover gaskets have been sitting around for months and I finally got time last night to do the replacement. Does anyone have the torque specs for the M54 (2004 3.0i)? My search is coming up with conflicting information - some say 10Nm while others say 15Nm. Is it the same torque for the 4 center bolts and the 11 outer bolts?

I was going to buy a small 1/4" in-lbs torque wrench today after work, but I already put the cover back on with sealant and hand-tightened. I'm not sure if I should even loosen them again and re-torque to spec. Would I need to re-apply the sealant if I did that?

PS - All my repairs with this car seem more complicated than on the simple 80's and 90's era Hondas and Toyotas I drove in HS and college. Or maybe I'm more anal now, whereas before I was dumb and just winged it.