Sustained an oil leak from passenger side valve cover. Bought new elastomer Gaskets and bolts from Needswings.
1. What are the torque values for the two different length fasteners?
2. Is it necessary to replace the Gaskets on top covers if they are not leaking?
3. Is there a torque sequence ( tightening sequence and torque increments)?
TIA

 

1) Small Screws: 5-6 N-m; Large Screws: 10 N-m (Small Aluminum screws are not to be re-used - they are 1x use only)
2) I would replace the RTV on the Crankcase Breather Covers.
3) There is a recommended sequence on the valve cover screws, but I'd have to get the Service Manual out to find it. There is a thread on the forum that covers this repair. Worth a google!

 

I would NEVER change the valve cover gaskets without also re-doing the RTV. To redo the RTV, read this:
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...over-leak.html


If that is too much to read, don't worry about it, just do the valve cover gaskets - you can do the whole job all over again if the breathers ever leak - which they will, in about a year.

 

Thank you. I'll also RTV the covers.

 

The two different length screw’s you are talking about I believe are the ones for the valve cover, these should have the same torque on them. The short aluminum screws are torqued to a different setting. They say they should only be used once. Some people are replacing them with stainless steel screws, I would not do that myself but each to their own.
Aluminum and stainless steel are at opposite ends of the galvanic scale so will attack one another strongly in a moist atmosphere, like sea air especially.
I already have my aluminum screws ready on the shelf just in case I need them. 🤞

You should download the Service Manual from the ‘TSB and How To ‘ forum on this site, it has all your answers in it. It is in the ‘Documentation’ sticky.

 

I forgot about this with the larger screws. Thanks for catching this.

I would agree with your feedback above. That's why I used alloy steel screws with a corrosion resistant protective covering. Similar to those used in marine applications.

'Metric Socket Head Cap Screws - Corrosion Resistant; Type: Metric Socket Head Cap Screws; Thread Size: M5x0.8; Length Under Head: 16.0000 mm; Material: Alloy Steel; Key Size: 4.000 mm; Finish/Coating: Blue Polymer.'

 

I've searched and cannot find the torque pattern. For pipe flanges, I used across and one over, repetitively Thoughts?

 

Probably is okay. Like you, I would start in the middle & Criss-Cross my way to the outside. Since the tightening torque is only 10 N-m, I didn't do a 2-step tightening process. I just applied the 10 N-m to each screw. But I did go back & re-apply the tightening torque a 2nd time since some screws could loosen a little as adjacent screws are tightened during the 1st pass. (Note: I do this also when tightening lug bolts or lug nuts on wheels.) Below is the torque sequence for the Cylinder head (for reference).

 

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

 

Agreed, here is the torque settings for the aluminum ones, also applies to the Stainless steel of course.

 

7lbs torque on top breather box bolts, both the 2 long and 2 shorter single use machine thread bolts.
I hope i read this correctly

 

I don't believe you fully understood the previous post. The torque values for the 2 different screw sizes are different. The M5 screws that only hold the breather covers to the valve covers are torqued to 4 ft-lbs +/- 0.5 ft-lbs. The valve cover screws are torqued to 7.0 - 7.4 ft-lbs, including the ones that pass thru the crankcase breather covers.

Look over the attached file for clarification.

 

If you’re going to do this, contact Rob at Needswings for new bolts. You never want to reuse the old ones.

 

This is a required step when performing maintenance on leaking crankcase breather covers. The factory screws are an aluminum alloy and attempting to re-use these screws ends up just 'stretching' the screws which means the RTV seal will fail. The larger screws that hold the valve covers on do not need to be replaced (IMO).

I also recommend checking the valve cover screw torque setting as a routine maintenance task every year or 2. I have found these loose during a re-check in the past. And by doing this, I haven't had any leakage from the valve cover gaskets so far.

 

I very much appreciate your knowledge and experience not to mention taking the time to assist with my endeavor. I considered all your suggestions and the covers were installed per spec as you all had suggested with both sides receiving new aluminum bolts. You all are much appreciated