Snapped Valve Cover Bolt!!

[209EJ1]

Last night I managed to snap a valve cover bolt when tightening it down after inspecting an oil leak. The bolt snapped right below the surface of the head. I need to extract it, does anyone have suggestions? I'm thinking of using lefty drill bits to try and back it out. My friend said he's done this before and can use his taps to repair the threads after drilling out the bolt. Is this the best thing to do? Or should i try the lefty bit first?

[SOHCej1]

yeah...i've done that one a bunch of times...those bolts aren't the strongest:TD:

i actually just left it alone and plugged the hole with a nut/bolt. i started to drill it out, but all the shavings had me worried. mine was in the front/middle. it's been like that for almost a year and the valve cover hasn't leaked a bit.

[NtAcivG94]

take the valve cover off and if any of the bolt is stickin out a bit try some vice grips... i have broken more then one myself. the torque specs are only like 6ft-lbs tho, so always gotta be careful when tightening them

[209EJ1]

I def have to drill it out or something because its below the surface. Yeah the shavings would have me worried too...but i'll tape it off and cover the exposed parts of the head.

I dunno bout leaving it messed up. my car is already 16 years old, i wanna try to keep it in the best possible condition that i can.

I guess i'll leave it to my friend who knows what he's doing.

[JDM_EJ1]

hahaha yea dude ive done that before u need to take the va;ve cover off clean it real good make sure u got a drill i dont remember the drill bit size but u need a clean cloth put it around the part u are gonna drill so u dont get shavings anywhere else but the cloth drill out the broken bolt put in the new one good luck

[G-rat]

to replace those bolts is'nt cheep either from what i have heard

[mARTYR]

i did that also..i just got a little nail and used a hammer to un-screw it but tapping it around..should work. ive done it twice.

[-eXpo-]

And I thought I was the only one. I just did this myself about 3 weeks ago. Not once....but twice. Both of the back two bolts.
I was able to just tap them out...