914 Valve Covers

[D7N7MASTER]

Color me idiot, but is there a simple " I should'a thought of that" easy way to remove the valve cover bail wires. One that doesn't involve a need for band-aids?
Thanx

[M. Hendrix]

A long screwdriver?


M

[skline]

I use a large screwdriver and pry off the end on one side. It pops the whole thing off and I have never got hit by it yet. Works great.

[johnboy914]

to help your leverage a bit, take something with a decent circumference and place that on the lever point, I can't remember exactly what that is, I think it is the thing that holds the engine compartment seal. then pry the bail down. the handle end of a big screwdriver is about the right size.

[URY914]

Get someone else to do it.
First timers love to help out.

[M. Hendrix]

Originally posted by URY914
Get someone else to do it.
First timers love to help out.

That is why my cars never run...




M

[D7N7MASTER]

Yeah, like somebody with really long skinny arms!

[scotty914]

how a bout a rag

put it over the middle of the bail wire, grab both ends and pull down

to get it back up use a screwdriver and walk it up in steps

[skline]

What? Nobody likes my way of doing it? I am telling you, it is the fastest and easiest method. Just take the screwdriver, and go to either side of the head that is easily accessible, and pry it away from the head and it will pop right off. To put it back on, the same screw driver and walk it back up as previously mentioned. Piece of cake.

[Toast]

Ok Scott,
I agree with your method too. I've done it that way. Except (agreeing with Johby914 here) I use 2 screw drivers of the same size (long and wide....) and pry off at the ends.

Scott Thacher,
using a rag doesn't really help, as the wires cut right throught the rags and slice you up anyway.

URY914,
As I have learned the Very Hard way, if you get somebody else to do your work for you, you get what you pay for....someone elses mistakes!
That is why I do my own Wenchy Wrench Twisting!

[skline]

Well, you all can do it any way you want, I will continue to do it my way as it is fast, safe and works every time. It takes 2 seconds and the bail is off and I am in.

[chrisreale]

Damn, you guys take the bale completely off?? I just pry it down with a screwdriver. Its hard, but you just need to "walk" it down

[scotty914]

what kind of rag do you use, i use a peice of a tee shirt and it has never failed.

be sides the rag is also right there to catch oil

[D7N7MASTER]

It's not like I haven't been doing this VW, oh ohhh(air cooled) thing for years. But this is our first 914. We have owned & wrenched plenty'o bugs. Adjusted the valves every other oil change. But - the cooling tin on the 914. I'm sure that it's designed to optimize air distribution, but s**t; almost everytime I check/adjust the valves, I either end up with a bloody knuckle & or long bloody scratches on the inside of my arms from reaching to the farthest adjustors. & to make matters worse; I usually see 6's & 8's when I check the gap + or- .001". My bugs weren't like that. Valve lash always closed gap... Finding .004" on my 1776's intakes became an "expectation". Finallly went hydraulic & never looked back. 'Til now. Are 914 2.0's known to maintain their valve clearances? The car runs great. Starts great. Zip Zero valve clatter at start up. Then has a bit of valve clatter after about 10 minutes of driving. (noticed mostly if there is a block wall or eq. reflecting the sound back or I have to stop at a RED light. Then by the time I arrive @ work, say 8 miles, I don't hear near as much valve clatter. In fact, she sound GOOD! Is this normal?
Thanks, Gary

[robphelan]

Originally posted by scott thacher
what kind of rag do you use, i use a peice of a tee shirt and it has never failed.

be sides the rag is also right there to catch oil

how much oil comes out when you remove the valve covers? I've never removed mine and it looks like 1 of the pushrod tube seals is leaking.. thinking about replacing.

[D7N7MASTER]

Not much. Just have a rag handy. And band-Aids.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

After a while, you figure out how to avoid the need for band-aids...

--DD

[Toast]

Originally posted by robphelan
I've never removed mine and it looks like 1 of the pushrod tube seals is leaking.. thinking about replacing.

Definately relpace the push rod if you think it is leaking....because it only gets worse! Then your driveway becomes an oil slick and the neighborhood kids start skiing on it!
DO NOT USE THE Adjustable Rods!! They are Junk and leak even more than your current one does.
Replace your push rod with the Solid Push Rod Tubes.
Just an unsolicited piece of advice from someone who knows from expierence.
Also make sure the o-ring gooves are not damaged and the type of o-ring seal used gets a good seal. It is important that the case side boss and head boss are VERY clean so the o-rings seat tight and correct - use of a sealant has been debated. Best O-Rings for the application I believe are made of Viton.

Toast

[sammyg2]

Actually Kalrez (tm) o-rings work much better than viton,
unfortunately they are about $115 each in that size.
Maybe we should stick to the viton after all
Never mind.

[ErnieDV]

Instead of a screwdriver, I use a brake adjusting spoon and walk the bale down the cover. The angle on the spoon seems to be just right for the job.