What could happen if i broke a bolt on the valve cover in my 2000 honda civic dx? and can i fix it?

Question

i tightened it too hard so it broke what can happen to my car and how can i fix it?

Answer 1

Bummer. It's not terminal, since it's just a valve cover bolt. But, you probably want to get it to someone you trust who can extract the broken remnant of the bolt out of the hole and replace it. As long as other bolts are holding the valve cover in place, you can drive the car, but keep an eye on any oil that might leak out from the valve cover gasket, and get the broken bolt extracted and replaced as soon as possible.

If you want to enjoy the frustration of removing a broken bolt, go to your local auto parts store and get a set of extractors; there are various kinds out there. You usually have to drill into the broken bolt, then s***w the extractor into the drilled hole, which will also s***w the broken bolt out. In theory. In practice, expect lots of cussing, busted knuckles, and many failed attempts before it finally comes out.  

Answer 2

Hi, it could result in oil leak. To repair it, remove valve cover, center punch broken bolt, drill with smaller diameter bit, then broken  bolt, then use an easy-out to extract broken bolt. Or take a good bolt to auto parts store and ask for correct size drill bit and easy-out.

fyi: never tighten the valve cover so tight because it will result in crushing the gasket to the point it will be useless. check torque specs. hope this helps you.  

Answer 3

use an easy out  

Answer 4

it leak oil, use an easy out

Answer 5

just take the walve cover off and go and get a tool from the auto parts. it is called a easy out. so you can get the s***w out. while you are there. get a new s***w. i made that mistake one time.

Answer 6

No big deal first off. Second take the whole valve cover off to see if the left overs of the bolt are visible and maybe you can take it out from there. But that should not be a big problem. If you ever have the head of the car you can have the machine shop take it out. But what most people do is buy a "drill out" and in the process of trying to drill the bolt out they break it and leave a piece of the bit in the bolt making it even harder for the machine shop to get it out they charge a lot more to remove it with that bit stuck in it. I've seen it a hundred times. PS those bolts don't need that much pressure to stay on.

Answer 7

take the pan off and drill a hole in the middle of the broken bolt and use a easy out.