Valve cover stud came off

[RDA990]

After doing my TB, VC gasket and thermostat I ended up with 2 leaks. A coolant leak on the top radiator hose area and one right on top of the camshaft chain tensioner. I opened up the VC today to add some more RTV on that side and while I was tightening the nuts to put it back together I noticed one nut/stud kept spinning. I wobbled it and it was pretty loose so I took it out:



Took the VC off all over again to try and see if it would go in but the threads are stripped, you can actually see in the pic that some threads came out with the stud.

What are my possible options to fix this??

[Seerlah]

Helicoil

[RDA990]

Helicoil

I couldn't find any locally so I got one from Amazon with next day shipping, thanks.

[Kevin C]

I couldn't find any locally so I got one from Amazon with next day shipping, thanks.

I'm assuming you got a kit with the special tap and installation tool.. https://www.amazon.com/Helicoil-5546...FFRZBQDN7Q02G0

[RDA990]

I'm assuming you got a kit with the special tap and installation tool..

Yea that's the same exact kit I bought.

[Seerlah]

You could have picked up the cheap OEM brand at any auto parts store. This is also a standard for any hardware store like True Value, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and quite possibly can also be found in Walmart (not validated along with hardware stores, but it is a standard repair item and not just automobile specific. it's thread repair, like a tap and die). Anyways, very common issue and very common solution. Avoid reoccurrence by adjusting your feeler method or use factory torque specs.

[Kevin C]

Yea that's the same exact kit I bought.

That's a great price for the real thing. I have had my kits Helicoil kits for more than 35 years and they still work great (and I'm still not as old as Old Guy) . I probable paid more for them... Competition is a good thing.

[RDA990]

You could have picked up the cheap OEM brand at any auto parts store. This is also a standard for any hardware store like True Value, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and quite possibly can also be found in Walmart (not validated along with hardware stores, but it is a standard repair item and not just automobile specific. it's thread repair, like a tap and die). Anyways, very common issue and very common solution. Avoid reoccurrence by adjusting your feeler method or use factory torque specs.

I looked online at local stores and they all had them for shipping, none in store. NAPA has some Helicoils in store but none were the M6 size I need. UPS should be here any minute now with the one I ordered yesterday.

[RDA990]

The Helicoil worked perfectly fine, took less than 10min to do. Valve cover is sealed fine with no oil leaks. I had to cover the whole area so none of the metal shavings made its way to the engine.



Also bought a torque wrench so this doesn't happen ever again .