Valve Cover Gasket Replacement?

POROLLA

MEMBER
2006 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

Hi there, I'm replacing the valve cover gasket on the car listed above LE. The gasket came with two rubber washers for the center bolts, which have metal inside of them and seem unidirectional. I started tightening them and saw deformity in the washer and metal shavings coming up from the valve cover, so my question is twofold:

1. Are they unidirectional? And if so, which direction is up? The metal inside of the rubber looks like a normal metal washer with four feet sticking down like a tiny coffee table.

2. Am I over tightening the bolts? My torque wrench is in foot-lbs and the specs in the Chilton's manual say those two center bolts need to be at 96 inch-lbs (8 foot-lbs). I doubt my torque wrench is accurate at that low number, but the metal shavings seemed to be grinding off the valve cover at well below 8 foot-lbs, so something is wrong.

Thanks so much,

I've looked everywhere on the internet and can't find the answer.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

They are not directional. It sounds like you simply overtightened them. I know that the torque wrench I have won't go that low.

If you can get access to one that works with inch pounds, that is the best thing to do. Also, don't be afraid to coat the rubber with a thin layer of motor oil. That will help prevent damage to the rubber.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe