Ok so I want to take my valve cover off and check for sludge/ check the overall condition before I do an oil change on the RX. But these bolts are kicking my butt, what do you guys use to remove them? I've already broken the tips off 2 of them.
Sorry to whomever I stole these pics from( If it offends you or if there is a problem please tell me and I will take my own tomorrow):

 

You don't need to take those off to remove the valve cover.

Those are studs for the engine cover.

 

seriously? because I removed all of the 10mm bolts and it would not budge. there are also 2 holding an electrical harness on the back side looks like its for the fuel injectors. Maybe I'm just ignorant but I had all of them removed and the valve cover would not budge.
Damn if that's the case i feel stupid. I mean I didnt put too much effort into it but it was rather frustrating.

 

You need torx "female" socket.

I have not removed the valve head, so I cant say if they need to be removed, but the right tool is the torx socket. HarborFreight sells a set for less than $10. I know they are not the finest tools but for occasional use they are OK.

Salim

 

The ones in the front you don't have to take out.

The other 2 torx studs that salim is talking about holds the harness in place.
This was a Biatch to get out even if you have the tool.
In my case it was so rusted that it rounded off.

Before I bought my RX, I also had to make sure there was no sludge present.
So here's what I did. Forgive me please......Been like this for 2 years no issues.

Just get a sturdy flat blade screwdriver and get in between the valve cover and the cylinder head and pry it up.

 

Oh yeah... there's a 10mm bolt hidden under the harness and coolant hose.

Total of 9 10mm bolts.

 

I would not worry too much about where the pictures come from as long as a wrongful claim is not made. Picture is worth thousand words. Lexmex has posted a lot of pictures and his TRD oil cap is a dead giveaway. The other give away is the (ahem) pristine condition of the engine . One can practically eat off my engine bay. But that is a different story!

Salim

 

I bought a craftsman external torx set, for this. I couldn't just buy the one I needed but the whole set. I think I paid around $30.

 

So then they are not necessary to remove the valve cover? Except the 2 in the back holding on the harness ?

 

No.
Just to 2 in the back because it holds the harness and covering 1 bolt.

 

can these be replaced with normal bolts? having a hard time finding these sockets.

 

As long as the thread size and shank match up to the original fastener, yes, I would think you could replace them. It's easier to install the engine cover with those stud style fasteners, but there are options out there..

 

For light duty and seldom used tools, visit your HarborFreight store.

I have invested in a socket set for torx, inverse torx and allen key. They also help me torque to spec.

Salim

 

If you are not close to a harbor freight or hardware store to get external torx sockets, use the double nut method to extract the stud.

 

I stumbled across this set at the Flea Market but it's the same brand a lot of auto parts stores sell. AmPro made in Taiwan. A local auto parts store should have these if you're not close to a Harbor Freight. They'll be a little more than Harbor Freight but less than other tool sellers. I've found them to be a good balance between cheap/soft Chinese tools and pricey USA made tools I buy for my more used tools.

They're generally referred to as E-Torx and are sized as E6, E16 etc...