Valve Cover Acorn nuts

[chope97]

I was changing my valve cover gasket when I lost an acorn nut. I went to my local Ace hardware store and they carry the same acorn nut 6mm and1:00 in their metric hardware section. In their auto hardware section they carry the 10mm fender bolt.

 

[Fritzie]

I was changing my valve cover gasket when I lost an acorn nut. I went to my local Ace hardware store and they carry the same acorn nut 6mm and1:00 in their metric hardware section. In their auto hardware section they carry the 10mm fender bolt.

Be aware that the insert depth of the standard nut can be less than a OEM nut. The OEM nut is thinner at the top. So leakage can occur due to loss of gasket pressure

 

[Fritzie]

On top the OEM - dept 11.5 mm
Below SS nut - dept 9 mm

And the difference of 2.5 mm is needed for gasket pressure on the valve cover. You think it’s tight because you feel the resistance.

 

[chope97]

On top the OEM - dept 11.5 mm
Below SS nut - dept 9 mm

And the difference of 2.5 mm is needed for gasket pressure on the valve cover. You think it’s tight because you feel the resistance.

Would a washer help?

 

[Fritzie]

Would a washer help?

I don’t want the use a washer on my valve cover due to the risk of losing the washer in my engine when opening the cover!!
I use the original ones only (without the washer).

 

[Rudy3.0CS]

How can you lose a washer in the engine removing a valve cover when the washer comes off before you remove the cover?

 

[boonies]

Parts manual shows that there are washers under the acorn nuts (part # 8). In my experience these are thin wave washers that are available from Belmetric in the US. I prefer using new ones when I re-assemble parts and/or systems as the wave is weaker after use and it is fairly inexpensive to buy a bunch of them to have on hand.

I would find the correct acorn nuts...

 

[sfdon]

Suggestions..

W&N sell chrome nuts which are incorrect.
Zinc is original
Stainless is incorrect
Nickel is incorrect

Just zinc..

We buy from Menard’s

 

[Fritzie]

How can you lose a washer in the engine removing a valve cover when the washer comes off before you remove the cover?

In theory you’r right.

 

[sfdon]

How can you lose a washer in the engine removing a valve cover when the washer comes off before you remove the cover?

Only if you take it off the stud after taking off the nut.
Otherwise, you have eight washers sitting on what called the lands when you pull off the valve cover and they fly everywhere. We use a magnet to remove washers before removing the valve cover.

We don’t trust those wiley washers to stay where they belong!

Along came the 1980’s and BMW came up with a solution for the Nut and the washer dilemma.