I switched out the bottom fist looking gasket for the VTEC solenoid and I understand it needs to be tightened to 8.7 lbf-ft but unfortunately I don't have a torque wrench and I'm scared that'll break the head off one of the bolts... When tightening them, will I get to a point where I get hard resistance? I don't want to push it too far; the bolts already came off pretty easily prior to the gasket replacement.

Thank you!

 

that level of torque is very low and yes you can break a bolt easily, snug it down hand tight using a small socket and ratchet. Do you have a 1/4 inch ratchet, if so then hand snug is the best I can describe it. If you use a 3/8ths ratchet then use less force, once the bolt bottoms out, just give it a final turn of a couple millimetres. Having felt it for years it is easy for me to approximate, but the best way to describe is hand snug. Everyone should have a torque wrench that goes from 20-250 inch lbs (2-20 ft lbs est)

 

What are your thoughts if oil is leaking through the bolts? Make it tighter?

Edit: I did make sure the gasket was seated correctly... I tried again tonight and it still leaked through the bolts and this is an OEM gasket. I'm fairly confident that the top gasket is okay as it's not leaking through the triangle-ish part, but I might be not understanding the working of the part correctly.

 

No, take them all out and inspect the gasket for a pinch or defect. Then look at the bolts to make sure your threads aren't messed up. Bolts that small you just put them on hand tight first then go around and 1/4 turn each. You eventually develop a sense of what is tight enough.

 

Yes, if the seal is smooshed down to the metal surface, such that very little sits above the grooves... no amount of torque on the bolts will make the joint seal properly. Need new o-ring.

 

think of it this way- 8.7 lbft is like putting not quite 10 lbs of weight on the end of a 1 foot long wrench. that's not much. I'd say, go buy a torque wrench- you're going to use it for the rest of your garage life.

worth every penny.
darcy

 

buy a torque wrench!

 

Torque wrench is less than $20 at Harbor Freight. Not Snap-On quality but good enough for occasional use. I have a fancy digital torque wrench but still picked up a couple of the HF versions last time they were on sale.

Every bolt on the car has a torque spec. Engine sump has one as do the differential plugs. And the oil filter has one too. Lug nuts should be torqued. Etc. Etc.

-- Chuck

 

 

You need a low torque wrench. One that goes to 150 pounds is unsuitable at 10 pounds. These tend to be most accurate at the middle of their range. 1/4" drive for something this small is getting the "click" type. The exotic, expensive digital wrenches are more accurate even at lower torques.

But this not like torquing the fuse on a nuclear artillery projectile where ounces are critical.

-- Chuck