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      05-11-2016, 10:25 AM   #1
Twixboy
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Valve cover gasket question

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.

Last edited by Twixboy; 06-08-2016 at 07:28 AM..
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      05-11-2016, 11:00 AM   #2
Punisher3.0si
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Both the numbers are right. M6 bolts are 10Nm and M7 are 15Nm.
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      05-11-2016, 11:34 AM   #3
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I thought all 15 bolts were M6? I didn't need anything but a 10mm socket to get them off.
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      05-11-2016, 05:45 PM   #4
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7 ft/lbs. 10kN.
You may find you are over spec already if you leaned on the ratchet at all.
DO NOT over tighten. Ask me why.
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      05-12-2016, 06:46 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarton62 View Post
7 ft/lbs. 10kN.
You may find you are over spec already if you leaned on the ratchet at all.
DO NOT over tighten. Ask me why.
I think you are right. I am probably over spec since at first I thought it was supposed to be 15kN and leaned on them a little bit to be safe. Should I just leave it alone at this point or is it okay to loosen and re-torque to spec without cleaning and re-applying the gasket sealant? I don't feel like messing w/the gaskets again.
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      05-12-2016, 07:56 AM   #6
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It'll be fine. Most techs don't torque down valve cover bolts anyway
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      06-08-2016, 07:27 AM   #7
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I just drove the car this morning for the first time since changing the valve cover gasket. 2 miles from my house, my engine bay starts smoking again with smoke coming out from both sides of the hood. Just like it did last Fall before I put the car into storage. What now? Is it maybe just leftover oil from last year that I need to "smoke off" the side of the engine? I guess hard to tell unless I just keep driving it and see if the symptoms go away. I decided not to take a chance and turned around to grab my other car instead. Damnit, I was so excited to take my first drive of the year.
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      06-08-2016, 04:23 PM   #8
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Update: I drove it around for another 10 miles after work and the excessive smoking seems to be gone. I still smell some burning oil when I open the hood, but it's no longer smoking so that's good. I'll drive it to work tomorrow and see how it goes. On a side note, the mechanic who did my state inspection today said it was the cleanest 2004 he's seen in a while and said to stop by his shop again when I want to sell LOL. Then as I'm filling up on the way home, a soccer mom in a Suburban screams out her window "Nice car!" I guess I don't need an M to impress after all. It's all the same to normal people
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      06-12-2016, 11:40 PM   #9
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I use brake clean to clean the splash guards over the exhaust to get rid of the oil that had leaked.... And anywhere else it shows oil leakage. Once clean you can see if it's leaking anywhere after the job...
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      06-13-2016, 09:09 AM   #10
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I drove the car all weekend and am happy to report no more smoking from the engine bay, but there is still a smell of burning oil if you open the hood after driving it. I noticed there's some oil accumulated in the splash guard or catch pan that's directly under the coil-side of the engine. Not sure how I can clean it off since I can't reach it, let alone see it without contorting my arm to get a flashlight down there.
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      06-13-2016, 10:23 AM   #11
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You drive it up on low rise Ramps and then take the plastic splash guard off.... Then spray away... Get a big ass fan to blow away the fumes or wear respirator if you are going to get really enthusiastic...
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