So I decided to try n replace my own valve cover gaskets, while putting it back together, I'm not sure if I did something wrong or maybe Imy friends torque wrench that I borrowed was either damaged or possibly not calibrated correctly? Anyway I noticed when I took it apart there were some metal shavings from the VC bolts, I cleaned them up when replacing the grommet/seals, as I went to tighten the first bolt, first just finger snug then as I was using the torque whench listening for the click ir feel of the kick back I heard.a pop. I removed the bolt & when wiping it this ring of metal came off and this what the hole looked like after. I do not know where to go from here, can I fix this myself (I hope) any advice or recommendations will be much appreciated. FYI ..prior to me doing the gaskets I paid a shop to replace them, they did a horrible job, missing bolts, coolant resv. installed wrong, ect. Not sure if it's related but it blew a coil pack out of the motor 6mo later. Then I had a friend attempt plugs & gasket twice but it was still leaking from the back cover so I decided to try it on my own. I'm hoping someone has been where I am and can give me some hope, help, useful information, guidance, or positive advice. Thanks fellow Acura enthusiast.

 

1) Determine the metric size and thread pitch of the valve cover bolt threads (red).
2) Search the interwebs for a potential helicoil kit for said metric bolt thread size.
3) Determine which corresponding valve cover cylinder head bolt boss' are stripped (purple).
4) Perform helicoil repair process for those determined in need?

Good Luck

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the previous shop or someone else damaged the threads before you took it apart. Looks like the threads came out of the hole. You should be able to repair with a Helicoil.

Spec is 8.7 ft/lbs of torque which is very low for most torque wrenches.

Someone had a similar issue to you 11-years ago and posted that they used a helicoil (last post)
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...gentle-903543/

Have you checked the valve covers for damage? Are you using hondabond on the areas that are leaking on the gasket?

I see your your post about the coil blowing out, that is common on Cyl 2/5 due to the head cycles and the proximity to the exhaust ports. The spark plugs can loosen themselves over time and cause BIG issues. I'm not sure if it's related to what happened this time around. Do you know how they repaired it with the coil blew out?

 

Please tell me it was a 1/4” torque wrench and not a 1/2 or 3/8” one

 

Hopefully it's the front head and not rear for your own sake. You need to repair the threads with either a helicoil or time-sert.