Valve Cover Removal

[DanPrixGTP]

As many of you know, my engine bay is in need of a black Valve Cover. Luckily i have one sitting on the shelf.



Ive tried a few times to remove the coil pack bracket but i keep getting stuck. I know its something simple and thats why i posted this in the "Noob Questions" thread.



I remove the belt, remove the tensioner and idler pulley, remove the dog bone.

Blue Arrow: Ive removed this bolt.

Red Arrow: Ive also removed this bolt that grounds the ICM and the alt brace is connected too.

Yellow Arrow: Here is where im stuck. Ive heard this bolt inside the tensioner assembly needs to be removed, by the looks of it, its a hex bolt. Well i dont have an inverted torx bit to remove it. Ive also been told its just a bolt, so slide a socket in there and remove it like normal. Well i have put in multiple socket sizes and none seem to fit properly. Is this the third and final bolt that needs to be removed, if so, how do you go about removing it and what size socket do i need? Thanks.

[Sushamouf]

Just a regular socket. I think that one was a 13mm. Once you get the tensioner off, remove the two that you previously did and the whole thing will slide off.

Btw, its a nut inside the tensioner.
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[DanPrixGTP]

I know its just those 3 bolts and it will slide off but i was having some difficulty on the tensioner assembly bolt. ill give the 13mm a try today.

[DanPrixGTP]

Nope, no size socket is working. Ive tried about every size and they just keep spinning inside there and wont "catch" i dont get it...

[Sushamouf]

Look in there with a mirror and see whats up. Someone probably rounded off the nut.

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[TheNoob23]

....

[DanPrixGTP]

Look in there with a mirror and see whats up. Someone probably rounded off the nut.

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I read online that i need a deep socket for that?

Is that true?

the reason youre having trouble is because that isnt the third bolt youre supposed to remove

Then whats the third?

[BillBoost37]

Dan

Remove the nut out of the tensioner - 13mm (tensioner comes off, keep nut with it)
Loosen the 15mm on Blue - I don't take it off...because you take the whole stud out in a min.
Remove the nut holding the ground, at red, then remove the stud that is red (15mm)
Now your coil pack bracket should be loose.
Undo the 7mm holding connector to the coil packs by the fans.
Remove the stud that is yellow
Holding bracket, remove stud that is blue.

Whole assembly should be totally free and out.

[DanPrixGTP]

Ive tried to put a 13mm socket inside the tensioner but it just keeps spinning. it wont latch on. Thats my problem.

So i read online it needs to be a deep socket

[TheNoob23]

jk, I have no clue what I am talking about

[BillBoost37]

Dan... a little bit of advice. When you buy sockets.... only buy deep 6 point. There's only about 3 things you'll ever need a shallow socket for.

[DanPrixGTP]

Thanks bill.

So i should probably run up to Autozone and buy a deep 13mm socket for the nut?

[Sushamouf]

Yeah

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[DanPrixGTP]

Bought a 13mm deep socket. Nope still not working.

Used a mirror and the nut looks just fine.

It still keeps spinning.

[Sushamouf]

Get an inverted torx and remove the stud.

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[DanPrixGTP]

What size then?

[DanPrixGTP]

Just so everyone knows im not crazy. i made a video of me trying different sockets and none of them "catching" but just spinning.

I believe i tried a 12mm, 13mm deep socket, 14mm, 15mm deep socket and 9/16.

F*cking 97's i swear...

[BillBoost37]

Dan...buying an Autozone socket is likely your problem at this point. Most of the duralast sockets are very thick walled. It doesn't look like any of them went into the tensioner.

Cheap tools can sometimes cause bad results. I know this from experience as well. At the same time..a cheap tool can sometimes save the day.

That nut in there is a 13mm, your car being a 97 had nothing to do with it.

[TexasTanker19kilo20]

If you go the Torx route it should either be a T45 or T50. Just my .02, hope you get it sorted.

[DanPrixGTP]

Dan...buying an Autozone socket is likely your problem at this point. Most of the duralast sockets are very thick walled. It doesn't look like any of them went into the tensioner.

Cheap tools can sometimes cause bad results. I know this from experience as well. At the same time..a cheap tool can sometimes save the day.

That nut in there is a 13mm, your car being a 97 had nothing to do with it.

Then what is a reputable place to buy from? craftsman?