I'm not quite sure that it's actually a stretch bolt, I just know it tells you to replace them in the manual, as well as my experience talking to customers that didn't replace them and still have leaking valve covers.

 

I did use new bolts and bought a few extra for good measure. All went ok, though I didn't use RTV on the bottom of the passenger's side gasket because of the tight fit in there (I'm doing the job without removing heater hoses and draining the coolant). Fingers crossed it doesn't start leaking any time soon. We'll see.

 

Hi

I hated those 12 corner bolts and the narrow gap pressed in the valve cover that needs a really thin socket to get near the top of those shallow headed bolts.

Why they couldn't use big pozi drive headed bolts I do not know....

 

Agree 100%. I couldn't even find a 1/4" drive 12-point socket in my local market. I ended up getting a 3/8" drive 8mm with a long "nose," for lack of a better term. Just barely was long enough to get down in there. Why engineers choose bizarre fastener heads I'll never understand.

 

i change my to socket head allens

 

Hi

Great idea.... I wish I had thought of that!

 

Don't over-tighten!

I did one time and the head of the bolt snapped off.
That was not a fun day.