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I was doing my first oil change (600 miles) on my new 2013 CRF250L. I drained the oil and replaced the oil filter. As I was reinstalling the oil filter cover (four bolts) with my trusty CDI (Snap-On) torque wrench I ran into a bit of an issue. I secured the bottom right bolt first, but it didn't seem like it was tightening up so I moved up to the left upper bolt, which tightened up to manufacturer spec of 12Nm. I then tightened up the upper right bolt same as the upper left. I moved down to the lower left bolt and that was acted like the first (lower right) and didn't seem to tighten up at all and then I hear the dreaded "SNAP". I backed out the bolt, which was still intact, but obviously twisted/stretched. I backed out the right lower bolt and that was also slightly distorted.

I just don't get it???

What did I do wrong. The bolts didn't break off so the snap I heard was the threads inside stripping???

i always tighten by feel on external engine covers. for all bolts being torqued with a torque wrench the threads need to be properly prepared and then the torque wrench needs to be accurate and used correctly. again, for external engine covers i always tighten by feel.

ken