FOAK: Valve covers on cars

Need to replace the valve cover gaskets on the M5, it's an oil slick in there.
I don't expect you lot to have experience of the specific refined supercar in
question, but I assume it's fairly common on other cars.

Basically I've unbolted the millions of bolts, but I still can't lift the
valve covers off the head. They are stuck fast. I've tried tapping with a
mallet but no joy. Do I need to tap harder, or is there some sort of knack to
this delicate procedure? I've tried a claw hammer in the oil filler hole to
get some leverage, nothing. No joy.

Alternatively, if anyone wants to buy a car in bits, sensible offers will be
considered. <g>

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, TD

<wince>

You've left a bolt in somewhere, I'd put money on it.

 

Hopefully they have been counted out in accordance with the BOL. The
extra little socket head screw securing Morini heads is responsible for
much blue air if you aren't wise to it.

Has a google search not hit a 'how to'?

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Nah, it was just fucking stuck[1]. I had the genius idea of twisting a big flat
screwdriver in the gap between the valve cover and the cylinder head, after
all ruining the gasket doesn't matter as the point of the exercise is to
replace the gasket.

Covers off, car now ready for new bits. With the covers off, I was able to
see a leak at the bottom of the oil filter housing, so looks like two for the
price of one, bonus.

So, er, how much did money did you put on it? Fiver, was it?

[1] Quite possible that previous owners of the car spunked on the engine.

 

Whatever you do, don't overtighten the valve cover when you put it back
on. If you do, it'll leak like ****.

 

I was just about to suggest that.

 

Jesus. Don't you have a garage?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, TD

Gack!

**** me, I thought I could be a bit of an animal sometimes...

 

I have a nice soft plastic wedge for doing just that, it only gets used
when I know 100% that all fixings are out.

--
Lozzo
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