Snapped rocker cover bolt off!

[Deluks]

Yes I am a numpty. Was checking the rocker cover gasket as it's a bit oily at one end. Replaced it, and when tightening up the last bolt on the cover, it sheared off!



The shaft has twisted off so the insides are exposed through the hole where the bolt should be.

I assume the car is now unfit to drive?

Gonna have a go at drilling and reverse tap or bolt extractor. bit tight in there though. But can I drive it to pick up the new bolt or should I not use it until it's fixed?

 

[Burnerman]

If your luck is in, you may get away with just applying some silicone sealant around the gasket and ignoring the bolt - it really depends on how far away the next bolt is. What engine is it, and how many bolts are there?
If its an DOHC engine, and you are left with a hole where the bolt should be, a dab of silicone over the hole will sort things at the outer end.
John

 

[Deluks]

polo 1.3 1991. 3 bolt, far right one snapped. Just managed to get it out with 1mm hole, then 2mm drill bit in reverse.
now i intend to move the middle bolt over and drive with no middle bolt. blocking the centre hole with upside down 8mm bolt and washers!

Nother problem, left hand bolt threaded, so won't go in all the way. think it's the thread in the ali housing. gonna partially screw it in with washers on top of the rubber bung to take up the slack.

so now need new bolt right, and left hole want tapping. who sells the bolts? soryy no caps, typing with knuckles. oily hands!!!

 

[Burnerman]

Trying to think about this model.....rocker cover has 3 bolt holes, each with a rubber grommet in? The bolts are hexagon head, but drilled 6 or 8mm female?
With the cover off, 3 studs are screwed into the alloy cylinder head.
Dealer part for these bolts I fear, (with 2 day delivery) or a breakers yard.
John

 

[Deluks]

Gonna try europarts in a min. (If the car goes!)

Appears to be 6mm thread, going up to plain 10mm shank and then hex head. Rubber bung on top (around the plain shank.
For some reason I had a new one of these bungs lying about. I'm thinking maybe these bungs harden with age and therefore have less give when tightening? Hence the snap?

If comes to it I'll use a normal 6mm bolt with spacer washers over the bung til I can sort it out properly. Wise?

 

[Burnerman]

I think the large hex head allows you to exert more turning force on the stud than it really needs - especially if the stud is screwed fully up into the nut, maybe.
The rubber grommets do harden with age, but don't leak much oil.
Anyway, your bodge should work fine, so good luck with the search!
John

 

[Deluks]

Good news:
Yeh, my upside down 8mm hex bolts with washers has sealed it. Driven around, minimal leakage. Now just need to get a 6mm tap from somewhere without having to buy the whole bloody set.

Local VAG parts place does the bolt for about 3 squid picking one up tomorrow. Disaster averted. Yay!

Bad news: Had an MOT booked in for today, had to cancel it as the bolt broke off about an hour before I was due to take it in!
So from tomorrow will be walking until they can fit me in for another test as current one expires tonight.

Thanks for pointers.