GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey guys:You know those plastic retaining clips near the back of the engine cover holding it down?Well, funny story made short.... I broke one off. However, I happened to notice that the holes they "clip" into are threaded.My question is, does anyone know what size bolt would be used to thread in there? I think its pretty fine thread. Thanks

Take the remaining one into your local hardware store or big box. They can either measure it and let you know. Or in the case of the Big Orange, they usually have a display that lets you "test fit" your hardware. Based on the size of the clip you should be able to figure out the width and from there it should be relatively easy. My guess though is that they are no bigger than a 6mm, probably a 4-5mm.Are you sure the holes are threaded and not just ribbed to help hold the clip in more securely? I was wondering too: How does the engine cover come off? I see the two acorn nuts in the middle but as yet haven't figured out how to remove those weird looking plastic things at the back of it? Is there a special tool needed for these? How do they clip in?

The holes are indeed threaded. Those plastic retainers are so stupid. They get wrecked as soon as they are removed, like a 1 shot thing. I'll go into Canadian Tire where I work and jack a few different sizes. I was hoping someone else replaced them with stainless steel bolts, and new the size off hand.

I dont know, I never removed mine.i suppose it would be to easy for them to make the thread type the same as the front bolts so that all 4 would be the same?

I broke both on mine the first time I took that engine cover off, five or six years ago. Never bothered to replace them with anything, You can replace them with better hardware if you like, but you don't need to.

Yeah I never replaced mine.

What does that cover cover? What's underneath... besides the valve cover, I mean?Is it ugly? I hate useless pieces like plastic engine covers and usually remove them as an easy first Mod.Some companies use so much plastic to cover up the engine you would think they were ashamed of them. Open the hood and all you see is a big expanse of plastic... a sea of plastic if you will. I hate that.

Its ugly underneath. The cover is fairly asthetically pleasing.

Good to know!! But I'm sure I will find out for myself sooner or later....

Haha.I like how you refer to it as a "mod".It is really ugly underneath. And don't remove it unless necessary, or you'll run into the same problem as me!

yep i didnt replace mine either lol

judging from how dirty mine gets, the cover will keep some amount of spray and other dirt off the fuel and plug rails., so it's worth keeping for that.

and never paint it red unless you want to clean it every week

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »What does that cover cover? What's underneath... besides the valve cover, I mean?Is it ugly? I hate useless pieces like plastic engine covers and usually remove them as an easy first Mod.Some companies use so much plastic to cover up the engine you would think they were ashamed of them. Open the hood and all you see is a big expanse of plastic... a sea of plastic if you will. I hate that.Depends if the cover has a noise suppression pad underneath or not. Sometimes these covers are strictly to improve the underhood appearance. This first started on higher end vehicles and has trickled down to some cheaper models over the years. Some of these covers are actually used to suppress engine noise. I know the cover on the '09-'10s has the pad. If you have an ear for NVH you might be able to hear the difference with it on or off, but most consumers probably won't know the difference. Usually it helps block the ticking noise made by injectors and/or noisy valvetrains.

orange have you figured out what size works yet? getting ready to paint mine and both my clips are gone hoping to use your idea

I replaced mine with bolts about 3 months ago (when under going performance mods). I'm not sure the size but I kept them short and added a lock washer. Didn't think it was a good idea to leave those hole open. I now have the cover removed and purchased sparkplug/coil cover.

As they sayalot on here (Ryan 'star deceiver',) "Pics! Or it didn't happen." LOLzzzz!!

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe » "Pics! Or it didn't happen." Close.... but after a day or two the mob surfaces!!!

anyone have the part number of those plastic screws?

They are not "plastic screws" but rather are clips that simply push into the threads in the valve cover. You generally destroy them pulling the cover off. I replaced them with real metric screws and washers.

I used some reduced head, washer faced screws I found at the hardware store (and have 1/16" thick washers under them). The thread is 6mm x 1.00 pitch. The ones I have are 8mm hex head, and are 20mm long (3/4 inch) which is about as long as you want, could easily use 15mm length.

Charles

06pvibe wrote:I see the two acorn nuts in the middle but as yet haven't figured out how to remove those weird looking plastic things at the back of it? Is there a special tool needed for these? How do they clip in?

I removed mine by breaking them accidentally. I'm too short to see them from the front.

if i remember correctly their M6X1, i did the same thing a few weeks ago, i just dont have the bag that the new bolts came in around. take the long valve cover bold off that the acorn nut goes on and check it on one of those little bold size finder thingys at lowes or home depot, that bolt will thread into the back holes on the valve cover perfectly.