Valve adjustment without torque wrench?
 

How necessary is it to use a torque wrench when tightening the valve cover? I have all the tools now to do a valve adjustment except for a torque wrench!

the studs are small... if you've never worked with bolts and don't have a feel for it, a TW is CRITICAL. also important is you have to CORRECTLY set the torque wrench.

The problem with the valve cover is that you only have four fasteners. That's really insufficient for sealing such a large surface. If you had 10 fasteners, the torque on each fastener wouldn't be critical as the fastener will slightly distort the cover in a localized region.

With only four, you must get just the right amount of force on the cover at four places. Too much force and the cover distorts...........and it leaks...........too little force............and it leaks.

It's basically impossible to get anything close to spec on those fasteners without a torque wrench. I've tried it..........and was wildly off (too loose).


You ought to bring it out here and we can do simultaneous valve adjustments..............the SD is way overdue and my back isn't looking forward to it.

Ok well then I'm off to buy a torque wrench! Luckily I have a store nearby that I can bike to.

15 Nm is spec? 617 engine...