Valve Cover Question

[thomasw]

1071459

Tommorow im planning on taking my valve cover off and giving it a good clean down so i can get rid of the oil blowby problem, well i was wondering what the torque needs to be on these bolts when i put the valve cover back on, i dont want to over-do it or under-do it....thanks for the help in advance

97' Cherokee 4L 4x4

edited by: thomasw, Jun 15, 2003 - 12:12 PM[addsig]

 

[MudderChuck]

1071569

I usually choke up on the ratchet (3/8" drive) just holding the head and not the handle. I´m something of a muscle head and have a tendancy to overtighten things. If your using a gasket, snug and a quarter of a turn usually is enough. If your using Silicon gasket sealer, finger tight, let cure for a night then snug. A little silicon or lock tight, will keep the bolts from loosening. I´ve found different length bolts in some locations and try to get them back in the same holes.
If the factory or last mechanic used silicon sealer, a good trick is to remove the old sealer with a putty knife and a vacumn cleaner nozzle right next to the scraper. Keeps most of the crud out of the motor.
They were supposed to have pretty much cured, the blow by problem in the post 93 models. Have a good look, at your CCV or scavenger valve, problem might not be, where you think it is.



edited by: MudderChuck, Jun 16, 2003 - 01:34 PM[addsig]

 

[judge09]

1071585

Once you run your engine.....giving it a chance to heat up and cool down....check the bolts again. I have had a couple come loose everytime I change a valve cover gasket. Only after the first time I run the engine though.[addsig]