Re-torque valve cover nuts?

[PrimeMvr]

My 930's engine has 8k on it since a full rebuild, and it's starting to leak. Enough for several 2" spots after every drive. A number of valve cover nuts have clear drops of oil hanging from them and appear to be the only source of the leaks.

1. Is it ok to re-torque nylocks?
2. Is 6 ft-lb correct?
3. Any recommendations for a torque wrench that makes this easy? My 1/2" drive monster will be a PIA to work with in those tight spots.

I'll do a valve adjust this winter and fix it right, but I want to plug the dam for now.

Thanks folks!

[timc]

i use the gaskets with the silicon bead, and hand tighten to snug, plus about a qtr turn, more of a feel thing. Never had any leaks. Just ck them by hand...

[LUFTMAN]

Valve cover nut torque is 17 ft. Lbs. Use a 3/8 inch torque wrench (sears etc..) many times nuts will not even take 17 ft. Lbs. Before gasket is ruined may need to replace lower gaskets with the silicone ones as mentioned by previous member says. Start on the center nut and x pattern your way to the outside lube studs with antisieze and torque slowly if it feels like it will not torque to 17 ft. Lbs. Go for lower number 16,15 ft. Lbs. Even torque is better than overtorque. Best of luck to you.

[timc]

Originally Posted by LUFTMAN

Valve cover nut torque is 17 ft. Lbs. Use a 3/8 inch torque wrench (sears etc..) many times nuts will not even take 17 ft. Lbs. Before gasket is ruined may need to replace lower gaskets with the silicone ones as mentioned by previous member says. Start on the center nut and x pattern your way to the outside lube studs with antisieze and torque slowly if it feels like it will not torque to 17 ft. Lbs. Go for lower number 16,15 ft. Lbs. Even torque is better than overtorque. Best of luck to you.

Depends on the gasket.. that may be true with the old graphite gaskets, and I think that is way high for those as well, but definitely not with the new style silicon bead....they are more like 6lbs. Hand tight with a twist....Start in the middle, work your way out up down in x pattern, just like a cylinder head....

To answer your questions:
1) Yes - Loosen 1/2 turn retighten. Assuming they were not over torqued, if they were, and you have silicon gaskets, you may want to replace.
2) Yes
3) You don't need a torque wrench for this, "one hand only" on small 5-7inch 3/8 ratchet, snug with a 1/4 turn.

You will be surprised at how little tight these need to be. If they then leak, just tweak them a bit more. You DONOT want to overtighten or they WILL leak, and you may possibly warp the VC's.

[gmendo]

'You sure the leak is not from somewhere else running down or being blown on to the valve covers?