Oil Check Valves SCREWUP - now what?

[xitsmike]

Hey. This is a question regarding my 95 audi 12v but I am posting here cus the audi forums I use is just a bunch of ricer wannabes who've never done more engine work than an oil change.

I was replacing my head gaskets and was doing my oil check valves (under the valley pan) at the same time. Theres 2 of them. I overtorqued one and now that I think about it I think I put it on over the old little rubber gasket - its like an o-ring gasket. Well anyway, while my torque wrench was malfunctioning (and i was using a 1/2" drive for a 10mm hex) I stripped the very soft metal of the head. So now I have a valve tightened to probably about 45 ft/lb (suppose to be 33 ft/lb) with a stripped head and two gaskets.

Originally I was going to ask if a checkvalve would still function properly when overtorqued. Now I realized the old gasket is prob still there cus it didnt come out with the old and so its doubtful theres even a good seal. Would you think its that important to get this valve out and put a new $50 one in or just leave it, maybe it will still work fine?, and worry bout getting it out next 75k miles. would like a few opinions here.

DURRRR

Thanks
Mike

 

[dogfriend]

What happens if it leaks? Is it going to leak oil? I'm not sure of the function of the "oil check" valve on an Audi.

If it is accessible, I would try to retap the threads for a heli-coil and fix it that way. I don't know if this would give you a proper surface for the o-ring seal, but if it does, it would make the best repair.

 

[Masterd]

I think the check valve here would be keeping the oil in the head after shutdown, to prevent dry starts.

 

[xitsmike]

the check valve on an audi is the same as the check valve on every car. it keeps oil at the top of the engine block (not head) when shut down and at low oil pressure. And i mean i stripped the head of the valve (its a 8mm allen key head). So it is in, tight, with a stripped head and so hard to get out.

 

[dogfriend]

I guess I didn't understand your post - I thought you stripped out the threads - but I think you are saying that you stripped out the hex head recess on the check valve. You can probably get it out using a screw extractor - drill a hole in the hex recess to fit the extractor. Another way would be to wedge a slightly larger hex or torx tool into the recess.

I have no idea if the check valve will still work, but you need to decide if you want to take the risk.