Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: SeaLander on February 22, 2010, 02:34:04 PM

Title: valve cover torque settings
Post by: SeaLander on February 22, 2010, 02:34:04 PM
well i managed to bust off the top of a bolt trying to torque down the valve covers to 240 inch lbs. Luckily I managed to drill the rest of the bolt out without any damage. Scary. I'm going to buy all new bolts and a new 5mm allen socket.

Am I torquing it to tight? Can I get away with anything looser?

2001 750M

Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on February 22, 2010, 03:03:23 PM
Where did you get that number? That's 20ft-lbs. Seems a bit high.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Spidey on February 22, 2010, 03:06:58 PM
Personally, I wouldn't worry about the settings at all.  Just torque it so it's a bit tight w/o worrying about the numbers.  If it weeps, tighten it.  It's not like you're torquing down conrods or engine cases or anything.  They're just covers.  
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on February 22, 2010, 03:12:25 PM
So the German value-"Guudendtight"  :P
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Speeddog on February 22, 2010, 03:20:53 PM
90 in-lb is plenty for those bolts.

Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: SeaLander on February 22, 2010, 05:02:40 PM
Thanks for the advice.

I just messed up another bolt tighting the belt tentioners at 20ft lbs. Hopefully i can drill this one out as easily...ughhh

now i know what i did, I tried tighing the valve covers with the timing belt specs..
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Speeddog on February 22, 2010, 05:54:04 PM
I'm pretty sure that the holes in the cylinders that the tensioner bolts go into are heli-coiled.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Howie on February 22, 2010, 10:25:46 PM
Quote from: MrIncredible on February 22, 2010, 03:12:25 PM
So the German value-"Guudendtight"  :P

More like "sortatight"
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: yotogi on February 23, 2010, 08:06:55 AM
I see you figured it out but here are some torques for an S2R 1K:

Intake/exhaust valve cover screws 10nm
Timing belt idler pulley 20nm
Timing belt tensioner pulley 26nm
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: ducpainter on February 23, 2010, 08:11:45 AM
Quote from: yotogi on February 23, 2010, 08:06:55 AM
I see you figured it out but here are some torques for an S2R 1K:

Intake/exhaust valve cover screws 10nm
Timing belt idler pulley 20nm
Timing belt tensioner pulley 26nm
I understand the book says that, but in my experience 10nm is a bit much for a 6mm steel screw in an aluminum casting with no helicoil or other insert.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: CairnsDuc on February 23, 2010, 10:31:49 AM
Quote from: Spidey on February 22, 2010, 03:06:58 PM
Personally, I wouldn't worry about the settings at all.  Just torque it so it's a bit tight w/o worrying about the numbers.  If it weeps, tighten it.  It's not like you're torquing down conrods or engine cases or anything.  They're just covers.  

Gotta agree with Spidey here, I always did mine up to "Bit Tight" or "Nice and Tight" Settings and never had a leak/weep, mind you I always used CA Cycleworks Gaskets as well.
Was always wary of going to hard on the bolts, as Ducpainter said, they are just going into an alloy head, I didn't want to strip/break anything.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: yotogi on February 24, 2010, 05:25:08 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 23, 2010, 08:11:45 AM
I understand the book says that, but in my experience 10nm is a bit much for a 6mm steel screw in an aluminum casting with no helicoil or other insert.

And I would certainly defer to your experience. Last time I had mine off it did seem that 10nm was on the too tight side for at least one of the bolts.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: ducpainter on February 24, 2010, 05:33:21 AM
Quote from: yotogi on February 24, 2010, 05:25:08 AM
And I would certainly defer to your experience. Last time I had mine off it did seem that 10nm was on the too tight side for at least one of the bolts.
I've always used 6 ft/lbs for that size screw in aluminum. There's a good chart here...http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/bolts/M_bolts.html (http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/bolts/M_bolts.html) The limiting factor is the weakest material...being the aluminum head.

I very rarely actually torque that size fastener. Always have gone by feel.
Title: Re: valve cover torque settings
Post by: Howie on February 24, 2010, 06:25:56 PM
My manual says 3 Nm.  which equals 2.21 ft lbs.