Sooo...one of my valve cover bolt broke off (on the grommet). Its the far end on the driver side towards the radiator. Is it okay to drive around like this or can I just match the bolt to another one at a hard ware store as a temporary fix? The nearest Honda is a special order for those bolts with a 5 day wait..

 

Home Depot does have a large variety of bolts. I think it is well worth the effort to remove a good one and try to match it to one there.

The part number for those bolts 90013-PCX-000 is used on other engines. Maybe a visit to the junkyard could get you one.

 

I can't believe this is "special order" with all the Honda dealers around.

The bolt is listed as "6x12" whatever that means.

-- Chuck

 

I just got some grade 8 ones that matched the thread at the local parts store, local honda didn't have any and couldn't give me a timeline to order. I replaced all of mine since they get heated and cooled a lot so they become brittle it seems.

 

These bolts should not be breaking. They sit on top of thick rubber grommets and are only torqued to 8.7 lb-ft.

But at a buck and a half each I'd buy a set of 5 and torque them properly. Keep the 4 old bolts as spares.

-- Chuck

 

Thank you all!

 

The bolt is under such low pressure that you can back it out by using a pick or screwdriver or magnet and some patience

There's only 5 of those bolts plus the coil pack bolts which put pressure on the valve cover to ensure a good seal without oil leakage

But any bolt that is the correct thread pitch will be fine

 

5 x 8.7 ~ 43.5 So the VC is clamped down with ~ 43.5 ft lbs from the cover bolts. The clamping force between two mating surfaces is the sum of all fastener tension on that surface, that is partly why there's a specific tightening sequence. Remember torque does not equal tension, tension equals tension. Torque on a bolt corresponds to tension, torque causes less tension when there is more friction between the fastener and the surface. For example, when doing the head, you have to oil the threads and the top of the bolt, and the manual explicitly states that if you hear any noise while installing the bolt to stop back off and try again, because bolt tension is so critical. Also why fresh head bolts are tightened in 3 90 degree steps, as opposed to re-used bolts which are tightened in two 90 degree steps. Also why the manual recommends an analog tq wrench, and if using a click type to work very slowly. This is partly because you can actually feel the fastener stretch and clamp if you work slowly, and mostly because creating the correct tension on head bolts is critical to proper engine function.