Big E

Anybody bought any of these recently? I stopped by the local dealer, who is usually very competitive price-wise if you're a PCA member, and they wanted $9 EACH! Retail was $24

Seems a tad pricey.

Luis de Prat

If you use a precision torque wrench, you should be OK reusing the original bolts. They take very little torque (like 7 ft/lbs).

alengyel

I found stainless replacements for my 8V at the local hardware store.....

jonnybgood

The 16v valve cover has weird shaped bolts with o-rings. I have been thinking of having mine refinished or anodized. I haven't looked but I doubt you can find that bolt anywhere else.

Big E

Yeah, those are some strange bolts, I doubt you'd find replacements anywhere other than the dealer. I've already taken the cover off a few weeks ago (first time it had been off since I've had the car, so at least 2.5 years, probably more like 5 since they were off before). Didn't have any problems, and I torqued them to 7 ft-lbs w/ a quality wrench, so I agree I'm probably fine, just trying to be overly cautious.

Casper

You may want to make sure that they havn't stretched. It they are stretched, even if you torqued them correctly, it will leak and when you try to tighten them again, you may strip your head. Trust me I learned the hard way.

Better be safe than sorry.

Casper

Luis de Prat

Can you elaborate? How would stretched bolts not be overcome by applying the proper torque? Wouldn't the bolts simply turn a bit more into the threads until the set torque was attained?

Also, if you replace the rubber grommets at the top of each bolt, wouldn't this further compensate for any bolt stretching?

Casper

You will notice, that where the threads end, there is a limit to how far it can go in. when this limit is hit and the bolts are stretched, turnign it more will strip the head. even with new gromets, gasket and o-rings, it is impossible to get it down tight enough. (i guess you can use washers or something, but that would look ugly).

Casper

pete944

I gotta locate one of these today. I was helping a friend change the chain tensioner pad on his S2 last night and one of his valve cover bolts snapped off. Whoever was in there last torqued them down so hard that each one made a loud crack as it broke loose. I replaced his with one from my car so I need one of the short ones to replace mine.
If anyone has a line on where to find one quickly, I'm listening.

AndyK

I ordered mine from Sunset Imports. Forgot how much it cost though. I ordered it to replace a stripped one (the one at the top left, under the fuel lines).

Never installed it yet though--hate the thought of trying to get a wrench in between those fuel hoses...is there an easier way??

pete944

That's the same one that broke! It's a pain to get to but there is enough give in the fuel lines to get to it. If you never installed it what's in there now?
I checked with the dealer here and they want $30.49 for the bolt!
I have one other place to check and I'm waiting for a call back from them.

AndyK

$30!? Get outta here! I could swear mine was $10 from Sunset. I can check my receipt later tonight.

I took the valve cover off, changed my tensioner, valve cover gasket, spark plug gaskets. Then, putting on that last bolt, I torqued it to 7 lbs, and the wrench slipped, stripping the already "mostly" stripped bolt head. So, to get it out again, I'll have to drill it, or use an oversized torq head, to get it loose enough to turn with a plyers or something.

Can you really bend those rubber fuel lines enough to get to the bolt, without worry about breaking them?

pete944

I didn't have any trouble getting the bolt out on my car or Mike's car. The fuel lines will move just enough.

I had the dealer double check that price. At leat they could include the vaseline when they bend you over like that.

pete944

The 944S, S2, 968, and 32V 928 use the same bolts so if anyone has one please PM me.

EDIT- Nevermind, Paragon can get me one shipped 2nd day air.
Cheaper than the dealer and faster shipping. You gotta love those guys.

Jfrahm

Yes, I do not understand why people have their local dealer order stuff when you can order it yourself, get it cheaper, and have it delivered to your home rather than making another trip to the dealer. If they have something in stock that's different.

I suspect some people overtorque those bolts to fix cam cover leaks. With good seals (that have not dried and shrunk) very little torque is needed to compress the gasket. If one or two break, you can probably use a socket head bolt and washer arrangement to get it back on the road while you wait for a replacement in the mail.

-Joel.