[Charles]

This is why I hate working on my car. Everytime I think any idiot should be able to follow a Helms manual, I prove that this idiot cannot.

I really did not think I was tightening it that much. But this is what happened when I tried to bleed my coolant.

How screwed am I? Am I going to lose an engine over a friggin bleeder bolt.

 

[Tiersin]

no, you wont. Hondas arnt like that. Worst off you will need a new collant mouth. Thats the piece thats connected to the engine with the bleader in it. I would try Majestic honda online of your nearest Honda place. What engine do you have in your car? I know what it feels like to snap bolts, i broke off two head bolts.

 

[Charles]

I have a DOHC ZC. I got someone on HT to send me one tomorrow for $12 shipped.

 

[dohcrxl]

I know what it feels like to snap bolts, i broke off two head bolts.

I know you didn't do that with just a 1/2 inch ratchet right? Even the strongest man on earth couldn't 'cause it'd take a good 400 foot pounds to do so.

Oh, you mean valve cover studs? (i knew what you meant) Yea even I can snap those too.

Tip for bleeder screws: Don't just break the screw loose with a single half turn of the wrench. Instead, with the heel of your palm, tap once first in one direction then tap once in the opposite direction alternating until the bleeder works itself loose.

 

[icarusdown]

If bleeder screws seem stuck use the shock and awe technique. Like mentioned, tap the wrench fowards and backwards. Also, try a brass hammer to shock the area around the bolt.

If it's really stuck, use heat on the surrounding area to expand the metal.

This is also used for brake bleeder screws which too break very easily.

 

[dohcrxl]

If bleeder screws seem stuck use the shock and awe technique. Like mentioned

Hmmm, didn't know there was a name for it. It's something I just kinda figured would work and does after breaking a couple bleeders myself.

 

[Tiersin]

and no, i didnt do that with a 1/2 incer, i did it with a 2 foot torque wrench, i i guess your kinda right, one was a head bolt, one was a valve train bolt. and it didnt take 400 ft lbs. It was an old bolt though and definatly not in good condition. Enged up replacing all of them.