De-varnish the valve cover?

[TomoHawk]

I really hope the timing chain isn't touching the valve cover!

thx

[Gav240z]

I seriously doubt it post pics ofwhat your talking about.

[TomoHawk]

It's too late to get pictures because I've cleaned the whole area. I can tell you the scratches didn't go all the way through into the metal underneath.

It just makes you wonder that if there was so much room, how did the scratches get there in the first place? Possible an occasion slack in the chain?

thx

[Inf]

As the chain flys 'round the sprocket, hot oil will fly off of it. Since it is the largest diameter part of the camshaft segment it will be flying the fastest in the largest volume relative to oil being flung from other segments of the camshaft.

The constant flow of hot oil is probably what kept the carbon deposits from developing in those spots making it look like 'scratches.'

Ever ridden a bicycle with an exposed and over-oiled drive chain too fast? Same thing.

That is my theory anyway. If you look at the size and placement of the valve cover over the sprocket there is more than enough clearance when it is bolted on.

[Bambikiller240]

I think Inf is on the right track here, but.........It is not unheard of for the sprocket to contact the Valve Cover. Usually the cause is the bolt into the camshaft backing out. One of our members had that happen a couple of years ago. Fairly catastrophic as I recall.

[TomoHawk]

I really wish you hadn't said`that....

But it's good you did, before something happens. What do you think was the problem or the fix- just retighten periodically?

thx

[Bambikiller240]

I think it was a case of the car having been worked on and someone didn't tighten the bolt properly. I don't really remember the details.

If yours was just crusty bits that "appeared" to be scratches, but when you cleaned it up there were no (NONE) scratches, I think Inf has the answer. I have noticed similar markings on valve covers of mine, but all they were was crusty bits in a pattern on the valve cover (i.e. NO actual scratches upon further examination).

Just to be safe, put a torque wrench on it and confirm that the bolt is tight. Once it's tight it should stay there. AFAIK, there is no periodic tightening necessary. At least I've never done it.

[beandip]

Go to NAPA and get a gallon of Mac's 6401 carburetor cleaner. Wonderfully nasty stuff that probably isn't avaliable in CA Anyway shake it up, pour it in, let it set a while, pour it back in the can and crud is gone! I filter mine back into the can and have been using it to do about everything including removing paint from fittings. Great stuff, but follow the cautions!

Great stuff but IT STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN.

[beandip]

It's too late to get pictures because I've cleaned the whole area. I can tell you the scratches didn't go all the way through into the metal underneath.

It just makes you wonder that if there was so much room, how did the scratches get there in the first place? Possible an occasion slack in the chain?

thx

If you had that much slack in the chain you would hear a hell of a lot of noise with it slaping all over the place . However it would only be for a moment.

[Inf]

Yes, if the cam sprocket is tightened to the manual spec torque there is not any way I can imagine it working itself free. I remember removing it being one of the hardest things i've had to do given that I don't have an impact wrench or anything.

[Mike]

Take the valve cover to your local engine builder. They can dip it in the hot tank and it will come out looking beautiful. Spend $10 on the dip and you're set to go... Or, you can spend $10 on chemicals, get dirty, and give yourself cancer by breathing the fumes.

[TomoHawk]

Well, since I'm not in California, those cancer warnings don't apply...