Valve covers only hand tight?

Am replacing head gasket on my '99 Tacoma. Was shocked to find them hand tight, can I use Locktite?

 

Are you referring to the valve cover gasket or head gasket?

 

Sorry, valve cover.

 

Oh ok sounds right then. Ya those are not torqued too tight the torque setting for those bolts is 53 INCH pounds that converts to about 5 FOOT pounds.

 

I think the looseness is from seal compression, not the bolts backing off. I have used the blue Permatex sealant on valve cover bolts before.

 

As far a the locktite I have heard mixed suggestions for that. Some say blue locktite is affected by heat so it's useless for this type of application. But then some say it has worked for them?

 

I believe he's talking about Permatex Rubber Sealant and Gasket Dressing, not Loctite. @Fenwick1993

 

Would that help putting that on the bolts to keep them tite?

 

No. Loctite does make a product that is designed to keep fasteners tight but is still removable.

Edit: It is also BLUE in color.

$18 Loctite 135354 Blue 079340-24221-BO 242 Removable Thread Locker, 3/4" Length x 1/4" Width, 10 mL

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A70IMH6?psc=1

 

thanks, that's what I was referring to as well in my second post. But I have heard/read that it is affected my heat so used in this type of application it does not perform well? Wonder how hot those bolts get really though? That locktite is a high temp up to around 450° I believe. I don't really think they would get that hot?

 

To be sure I would have to look at the product spec sheet to see what the highest temperature this product could withstand before it degrades.

Loctite makes thread locking compounds in various different strengths. To break the bond of the more permanent types, I have had to use a torch to get the parts loose.

I'm almost sure they make something that will withstand the normal operating temperature of an engine.

 

$18 Loctite 29513 Blue 246 High Temperature Medium Strength Thread Locker, 450 degrees F Maximum Temperature, 10 mL Bottle

http://www.amazon.com/Loctite-196508-Temperature-Strength-degrees/dp/B00B749NJC this is the blue strength and high temp loctite rated up to 450°.

 

well there's your answer.

If your engine ever got up to 450 degrees, I would think you might need to do some work to it anyway.

 

Thanks for the help @o0oSHADOWo0o