How do you get valve cover bolt grommets on?

[jshort74]

I’ve got a 97’ Accord with a 2.2 vtec. I just changed out the T-belt and water pump. While I had it apart, I adjusted the valve clearance. I have replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals. Does anyone know how in the world you get the valve cover bolt grommets on the valve cover bolts? I cut off one of the old ones and tried to hammer the bolt through the grommet, but even with lubrication, it tore the bottom of the grommet out. I also tried heating one up in boiling water. It didn’t add much flexibility. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jshort74]

Doesn't anyone know how to get these on?


I took one of the bolts and grommets to Bob Lindsay Honda. Guess what, no one there knew how to get them on without damaging them either.

So, I left the old ones on but treated them with a little silicone gel to help keep them from drying out too fast. Then, I split one of the new ones to get it around the bolt I had already cut the grommet off of and glued it back together with some high temp RTV. It seems to be working great so far.

If anyone has any insight, I'd still love to know how to do this the right way.