What the hell did I just ruin in my jeep?

[Flex BT]

I installed a new gasket in my valve cover today. Things went well except the screw closest to the front of the I-6 was a real bear to get out and reinstall. With the new cover on and the front screw as the last to go I couldn't get it to thread properly until I put some sideways pressure on it and it started to thread, but was tough to screw in. Thinking that maybe the gasket was squishing into the screw hole I started playing around in the hole with a flat head screwdriver trying to see if it would squish back out of the way. A moment later the screw hole filled all the way to the top with radiator fluid!! What the hell did I break through that was at the bottom of the screw hole for the valve cover? There are two radiator connections on the front of the engine close by but they connect to the metal far before the screw hole. Can't see anything down there, what do I need to replace that I just broke? For the time being i screwed the screw all the way down in the hope that it would keep whatever fluid put and prevent any of it from getting into the valve area.

 

[IOPort51]

can you give up pictures of this??

I installed a new gasket in my valve cover today. Things went well except the screw closest to the front of the I-6 was a real bear to get out and reinstall. With the new cover on and the front screw as the last to go I couldn't get it to thread properly until I put some sideways pressure on it and it started to thread, but was tough to screw in. Thinking that maybe the gasket was squishing into the screw hole I started playing around in the hole with a flat head screwdriver trying to see if it would squish back out of the way. A moment later the screw hole filled all the way to the top with radiator fluid!! What the hell did I break through that was at the bottom of the screw hole for the valve cover? There are two radiator connections on the front of the engine close by but they connect to the metal far before the screw hole. Can't see anything down there, what do I need to replace that I just broke? For the time being i screwed the screw all the way down in the hope that it would keep whatever fluid put and prevent any of it from getting into the valve area.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Just a guess... Poked the head gasket? though i doubt a head gasket would hold the pressure from going up a bottomless screw hole... hmmm


I agree with IO, though it seems you may need to take the head off to figure it out for sure.

Wait for some more knowledgeable replies though...


~ JR

 

[Flex BT]

The bolt in question is the one seen right between the two hoses.



Oh god what have I done

 

[elwood blues]

Underneath that screw is your thermostat, if your head is weak and thin in that area you may have punched straight through the head into the coolant. The only way to find out is going to be to remove the water neck, where the thermostat is, and your valve cover and inspect with a flashlight.

 

[Flex BT]

It was a pain in the butt getting the valve cover on there, I really didn't want to have to take it off again (or shell out $30 for another gasket)!

Is it possible I could just remove the thermostat housing and get a new gasket in without disturbing the valve cover?

 

[mtnwhlr]

Just put some thread sealer on the bolt and tighten it down it will be fine.

 

[PaRenegade]

I suspect, as Elwood said, you punched thru the block casting into the water jacket. You should be able to drain some anti-freeze out to take the level down, clean that hole out the best you can and then run a tap thru it. Then use some water pump / thermostat sealer on the threads of the bolt and put it back in.
The problem is you may develop an oil leak at that spot because the silicone that I'm gonna assume you used on the gasket / head / cover has already cured, but not compressed like your other bolts because the front one was missing and had no hold down pressure. Plus you may have gotten some a-f. on the head surface or cover surface so the silicone won't adhere.
The best thing to do is remove the cover and do it again. But use sealer (not threadlocker) on that front bolt. Chalk it up to live and learn costs!

 

[IOPort51]

I would pull the cover and run a tap into the hole. If you have junk in there from the coolant/rust it will be a problem to torque right and even harder to seal.

The gasket on the cover can be used several times if properly torqued.

I would use a Teflon pipe sealer on the bolt when you put it back together.

This is a new one on me, anybody see this before??

this would bother me, I would even consider pulling the goose neck and doing an epoxy thing on the inside of the leak, after it was dry and clean it may even be possible for a little locktite to suck into a crack by capillary action and seal the leak, if it's not too big.

I can see a day when the head of the bolt breaks off because it is rusted in place.

 

[justinfonder]

Just put some thread sealer on the bolt and tighten it down it will be fine.

this has got to be one of my favorite posts i've read on this forum. i literally laughed out loud.

 

[CJ007]

Just put some thread sealer on the bolt and tighten it down it will be fine.

this has got to be one of my favorite posts i've read on this forum. i literally laughed out loud.

Hands down, thats the Jeep way.

And I agree BTW. Some silicon or even pipe dope will fix that right up. The first head bolt to the right of that goes through a water jacket.

 

[CJ]

Hands down, thats the Jeep way. ~~~

BTW - in a pinch, dental floss works great as thread sealant - just wrap like teflon tape and seal!

 

[CJ007]

BTW - in a pinch, dental floss works great as thread sealant - just wrap like teflon tape and seal!

Hmmm... fluorocarbon fishing line maybe? Thats always handy.

 

[bondo258]

Did this on my reman motor, rear valve cover bolt. Here is a solution.

Get a stainless bolt for whatever thread it is now (PO may have screwed it up) An inch longer than needed.

Cut the head off (do this first. double nut to tighten "stud", then remove nuts.)

Install 'stud" snug, with pipe dope, teflon tape, AND/ OR even threadlock (loctite). Do this to dry, clean threads.

Install a a long (tall) nut (used to join thread-stock AKA all-thread) of the appropriate thread. enough to clear the "stud" easily. You can call it a day at this point if torqued appropriately, or continue a little more. If more is desired....

Loctite a very short, appropriate fastener to the top of said nut, to make trail fixes and garage visits a one-tool affair to remove your valve cover in the future...

And put washers (flats and locks) under the rest of your valve cover bolts.

You may need to buy longer bolts to add more captive fasteners.

As the valve cover gasket will tend to leak, the continued, gradual, tightening WILL most likely cause the same issue somewhere else on the head in the future.