Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
Bmw Enthusiast
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Bmw Enthusiast » Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:38 pm

Doing the valve cover gasket on my n52. All of the valve cover bolts were a little more than finger tight....apart fron one at the front. The bolt head turned about a fifth and then shears off just below the bolt head. I'm left the bolt shaft sticking approx 40mm out of the head. The bolt goes straight through the head and passed out the other side. Tride loads of penetrating fluid on both ends and mole grips. No joy. Any ideas before the drill has to come out?
Attachments
Broken bolt
Broken bolt
20240329_152750.jpg (119.53 KiB) Viewed 308 times

curvature
Member
Member
Posts: 189
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:32 pm

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by curvature » Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:15 pm

Have you tried some heat on it?
Z4C 3.0 SI
iX3
640d GC

raymond.harper
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1040
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2016 12:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by raymond.harper » Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:30 pm

Five minutes from the heat gun, especially the base, cool the stud rapidly with Plus Gas then either use mole grips or better still, two nuts turned against each other if they will still fit. These are titanium bolts I managed to remove
Attachments
20240327_115951.jpg
20240327_115951.jpg (69.39 KiB) Viewed 295 times
20240325_164604.jpg
20240325_164604.jpg (79.61 KiB) Viewed 295 times

Bmw Enthusiast
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Bmw Enthusiast » Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:45 pm

Alloy head, so can't apply much heat. Think of trying one of these https://youtube.com/watch?v=08pSQKRUOxI ... _imU9yYBvM
Just have to hope the stud doesn't snap if its really stuck in there. Anyone used an extractor like this before?

Bmw Enthusiast
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Bmw Enthusiast » Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:47 pm

In two minds, do I use the impact on the extractor or light touch with ratchet & spanner.

Bmw Enthusiast
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Bmw Enthusiast » Sat Mar 30, 2024 5:54 pm

Got it out with this. Worked a treat on the impact wrench. Was sweating for a while though. Job finished, all good........so far! Thanks for the replies everyone.
Attachments
20240330_090410.jpg
20240330_090410.jpg (147.65 KiB) Viewed 209 times

raymond.harper
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1040
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2016 12:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by raymond.harper » Sat Mar 30, 2024 6:17 pm

Glad you got it sorted. Another tool for the box of special instruments! Mine is full of things that I have used only once.

Bmw Enthusiast
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Bmw Enthusiast » Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:16 pm

I know what you mean. Its one those tools nice to have, but hope you never need again! Got some confidence in the tool now. Cheers.

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 24083
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

Post by Mr Tidy » Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:43 pm

That's a great result. :thumbsup:

My 330i with the N52 had a new cam-cover gasket just before I bought it. The invoice said they had to drill 2 snapped bolts out. :o
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

Post Reply