I was tightening the valve cover bolts and clearly overtightened one because it snapped it half and the remaining half is stuck in the head. Only after the fact I realized they were aluminum bolts. Hindsight I should of looked at toques specs first.. I know. Anyway, below I attached the picture of the broken bolt. I’ve read people have down this before, I tried to back it out with a left handed drill bit but the size I needed wouldn’t fit because the drill chuck hits the cover prior to the bit reaching the screw. Any suggestions? Is the car still safe to drive even making 24lbs of boost? Should I pull the valve cover and try to recover the bolt with the head exposed? Really do not want to mess up the threads on the head and have to retap them…

 

Pull the valve cover to give you room and extract the broken bolt. Valve cover is also probably cracked underneath as well. oof

 

Costly mistake if the valve cover cracked. You will have to remove the cover. Id be surprised if it didn't since they are magnesium. Careful when tightening valve cover bolts they shouldn't at all feel tight even when fully torqued. the gasket is soft rubber and all soft metals.

Rocker cover bolt 31 +- 4 inch lbs, remember its inch lbs not ft lbs.

 

im really hoping the valve cover is not cracked… Is the car safe to drive missing one of those bolts or is it best to leave it alone until I fix this whole situation

 

God I hope the valve cover is not cracked.. I literally just bought the car. Was changing the plugs and happen to noticed what seemed like a really lose valve cover bolt so I hand tightened it and then did a quarter turn with a ratchet and suddenly, snap.. My main concern is drilling the bolt too far or not on center and then ruining the head threads