Welllll.... i feel it's my own fault for listening to this guy but heres what happened. In December i had someone adjust the valves on my truck (didn't join the site yet) about a week after he did it i noticed that at least the #1 and #2 cylinder. I took it back and he "fixed it" now leak so i didn't bother to look too much farther. Last week i noticed that #2 #3 #4 #5 and maybe #6 were leaking. i called the guy who did it... and he told me to put a washer in and re-torque "it's just that easy" so he said. well just easy enough to cut a gasget in half and break at least 4 of the 6 valve covers... new seals $40, new covers $20 a piece and they will take 2 weeks to get here!!!! frustrated to say the least! i can't believe i listened to him i mean he is a mechanic, shouldn't he know what he's talking about? GRRRRR

 

oh and if you're wondering how i could tighten it enough to break it without stopping. i was cringing the whole time i was torquing them.... i need to start listening to my gut!

 

What did you torque them to exactly?

 

18ft/lbs as the manual calls for....

 

18 ft-lbs of torque only. Might have just needed new valve cover gaskets and then torqued to 18 ft-lbs.

 

he put in new ones... from cummins in december when he did the adjust. live and learn

 

Sorry to hear your troubles. Were they grey gaskets of black. If from Cummins they would be grey and they don't leak. I wish you luck.

Michael

 

Are you certain he actually put new ones on? I think Cummins still makes the black, but most of them know when you ask that the gray are better. They are softer and re-useable. The black ones appear to be re-useable, but usually won't re-seal well.

 

they were grey and it was the first time the covers were off in 100,000 miles so i think he put new ones... i have new grey ones waiting, but have to find the covers!

 

they snapped with 18 ft-lbs? wow, didn't know they were that brittle. Guess you found the only weak spot on that motor lol. sorry it happened to you. You might try calling one of the diesel shops, Scheids or Enterprise, I'm sure alot of their customers switch out to chrome ones or powdercoat or something, they might have an extra set laying around that they'd sell for cheap. Just a thought. Best of luck.

 

I have a set of valve covers. How many do you need?

 

thanks frostie.... i busted 4 of them but have some being sent out to me in the morning. i really appreciate the offer though!

 

Good luck not breaking these ... never listen to mechanics, only the ones here

 

Ouch, that's a cold shot.

Truly, it is very difficult to find a reputable mechanic to work on almost anything.

 

I think he needs to have his torque wrench recalibrated. Maybe he used it as a breaker bar to get head bolts loose at some point or something!