My WTF am I doing Build/Maintenance Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdr767
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So I've gotten the intake manifold off and a quick glance at the valves is probably why I'm misfiring. They are all sorts of crapped up already with pair for cylinder 1 being the worst. Looks like the gasket around that inlet also failed which explains the residue and moisture. I swear I just did this so either I am mistaken (most likely) or I did not log the date and milage of my last service. Looking at aCar I show I cleaned my intake valves in August of 2018 around 85K. Rolled over 106K this week.

Also have the valve cover bolts loosened up but haven't pulled them out yet to take a look under the cover. Scarecited to see what it looks like under there in its virgin opening (giggity).

Taking a break, need some more trash bags and B12 for the valve cleaning. And blue tape - blue tape is always useful. Which means I have to wait for my GF to get home with her car.
 
Dirty valves - hard to tell but that's a lot more buildup than it looks like.
g0loxy7h.jpg

3xd9Y1hh.jpg


Had a hell of a time getting the VC off - gasket did not want to let go! Looks clean to me on the inside, timing chain is tight and has barely any slack. I'll get the outsides all clean before replacing the gasket and putting the VC back on. Still waiting to go get supplies for the valves.
a4otdz5h.jpg

T7WPmWhh.jpg
 
jdr767 said:
Dirty valves - hard to tell but that's a lot more buildup than it looks like.
g0loxy7h.jpg



Had a hell of a time getting the VC off - gasket did not want to let go! Looks clean to me on the inside, timing chain is tight and has barely any slack. I'll get the outsides all clean before replacing the gasket and putting the VC back on. Still waiting to go get supplies for the valves.

T7WPmWhh.jpg
Click to expand...

You probably noticed the inside gasket around the plugs there, but just in case.
 
jdab555 said:
You probably noticed the inside gasket around the plugs there, but just in case.
Click to expand...

Yessir - no harm in checking! Pulled that one out too, hard as a rock. I have a replacement for that one too.

Gave the top a quick wipe down, I'll do a thorough job in the AM and scrape off the old sealant. Anything special to use there? Says silicone - I have some Permatex 80050, clear silicone adhesive that I was going to use. Putting the VC gasket and cover back on should as straight forward as taking it off, then I can get started on the valve cleanings. I'm hoping I can finish by the end of the day tomorrow.
 
Looking back at that list I gave that it works on I can see why it'd be appealing lol could I could just said don't use genetic stuff XD.
 
Awafrican said:
Looking back at that list I gave that it works on I can see why it'd be appealing lol could I could just said don't use genetic stuff XD.
Click to expand...

Haha, Nope - that is exactly why I picked up the clear one, I didn't see a huge difference while at the store and I knew I had standard red RTV. I read and read the usage etc but not until you said "Ultra Black" and I go back and look at the packaging at the store. Ultra Black would be the correct one to use for sure.

My next question is - how much? Obviously not a whole lot based off what I saw on both sides of the cases.
 
First time is always a pain in the ass. Learned the hard way to pull the VC bolts out then push the grommet through the holes. Had much better time with the gasket not folding or bending out if the channel after that. Waiting on the sealant to pre-harden per instructions. Hopefully I can torque it down in an hour and be done with that portion.
 
And my deepest fear made real. This is in spot #1 in the middle. Been making slow rotations through the bolts tightening a bit around each time. This happened at maybe 30 in-lbs? I'm thinking I might have tightened it farther than it could tolerate on this rotation. I haven't touched it apart from getting the cover off to inspect. I'm too irritated at myself.

3LSySoph.jpg


I'm gonna go do something else for a bit before I break it more.
 
Kinda put a whole shit sandwich in my day. I could still clean the valves I guess but it is much less appealing without the valve cover on and sealed to keep crap out of it.

I've never had a bolt extractor work for me once and I do not have a welder...though at this point I am not opposed to a Harbor Freight run. That could also be bad news, hah.

Think there is enough meat there to using a cutting wheel, cut a notch and try a flathead screw driver? I don't think there is enough for me to get a good grip with a pair of locking pliers to try and reverse it out.
 
jdr767 said:
Kinda put a whole shit sandwich in my day. I could still clean the valves I guess but it is much less appealing without the valve cover on and sealed to keep crap out of it.

I've never had a bolt extractor work for me once and I do not have a welder...though at this point I am not opposed to a Harbor Freight run. That could also be bad news, hah.

Think there is enough meat there to using a cutting wheel, cut a notch and try a flathead screw driver? I don't think there is enough for me to get a good grip with a pair of locking pliers to try and reverse it out.
Click to expand...

do the screwdriver, and once ur done cutting the slit, heat that bolt and head spot a bit with a torch before screwing it out.
 
BAT-man said:
do the screwdriver, and once ur done cutting the slit, heat that bolt and head spot a bit with a torch before screwing it out.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm leaning towards as well, I've been carefully dinking with it.

I do have a thinnish nut that threads the same, tried it on one of the other bolts. I can get it on as tight as it will go finger tight. I also found I can rotate it freely clock wise deeper into the channel but can only back it out to a point with finger strength. I have not tried pliers to see if I can back it out a bit farther that way.

I'm debating a dab of red loctite, let it cure and then trying a socket to back it out?
 
Was this one of the special bolts that had an oring on it? I seem to remember changing out a few of mine to studs (when I also added rtv in addition to the gasket) to help align the valve cover as it came down.
 
jsmith said:
Was this one of the special bolts that had an oring on it? I seem to remember changing out a few of mine to studs (when I also added rtv in addition to the gasket) to help align the valve cover as it came down.
Click to expand...

Correct! Has a sliding sleeve with a rubber o-ring around it. Changing to studs is a brilliant idea, do you have any tips since you've been down this road, or if you have it posted I'll go hunt your submissions.

I'm trying to find the pitch and thread of the bolt but I guess I can take it to the Depot for a fit test.

**Edit - I got excited - looks like there are kits.
 
Last edited:
jsmith said:
1/8 inch binding sounds like wrong threading...
Click to expand...

You are most likely correct, I haven't tested anything further yet, dinner wasn't gonna make its self, just jumping to conclusions really. I need to step back, look at again tomorrow.
 
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