Seized Valve Cover???

[iAmKendrickRay]

Anybody ever have an issue with a valve cover that won't come off? Im trying to check my rocker arms. My suspicion is that the #7 is loose causing the rattling, rather than a compressed lifter. BUT i can't get the damn valve cover off! All the bolts are removed. There's not much to brace myself with too get enough leverage. I feel like this is a sign of something bad... HELP!!

 

[OR VietVet]

If you have a rubber mallet tap on the sides to help break free. Slight prying with a pry bar could help as well but be very tender when you do that. I mean tender tender or you will crack/break the cover.

 

[iamdub]

They can be sticky. Don't be scared to get rough with it, just don't focus all your rage to the point of a flathead screwdriver or you can crack the cover and/or gouge the head. You need a wide surface to spread out the force and with something a little softer than the metal. So stick the edge of a 2x4 against the edge of the cover and whack it with a hammer. You'll have room to swing with this method and the wood will give before you damage the metal.

 

[wjburken]

They can be sticky. Don't be scared to get rough with it, just don't focus all your rage to the point of a flathead screwdriver or you can crack the cover and/or gouge the head. You need a wide surface to spread out the force and with something a little softer than the metal. So stick the edge of a 2x4 against the edge of the cover and whack it with a hammer. You'll have room to swing with this method and the wood will give before you damage the metal.

I have a plastic dead blow hammer that I like to use in situations like this.

 

[01FormulaTA]

rubber mallet and try to catch it from the side, just need to break the seal with the head and it will come right off

 

[swathdiver]

X4 - Hit it with a rubber mallet!

 

[mcpole]

Anybody ever have an issue with a valve cover that won't come off? Im trying to check my rocker arms. My suspicion is that the #7 is loose causing the rattling, rather than a compressed lifter. BUT i can't get the damn valve cover off! All the bolts are removed. There's not much to brace myself with too get enough leverage. I feel like this is a sign of something bad... HELP!!

View attachment 236585

You probably have a lifter issue making the noise, but a rubber hammer works well to loosen the cover