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

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:22 pm

Well as it says I have a valve cover bolt that wont budge . All the others came undone no problem but not this one . It started ok and then just wouldnt go any further . I tried tightening again and then loosening but no go so then I got the bolt remover socket out which just gouged the bolt as you can see . I was going to cut a slot in it and try to remove that way but before I do I thought best to take a step back and ask the knowledgable forum first . I have tried plus gas but no go . Would appreciate any advice . Thanks .
Attachments
20230115_120651.jpg
20230115_120651.jpg (108.67 KiB) Viewed 609 times
20230115_120635.jpg
20230115_120635.jpg (99.37 KiB) Viewed 609 times
20230115_120621.jpg
20230115_120621.jpg (114.95 KiB) Viewed 609 times
20230115_120612.jpg
20230115_120612.jpg (116.36 KiB) Viewed 609 times
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

User avatar
grannyknot
Member
Member
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by grannyknot » Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:26 pm

If you are going to replace the VC gasket anyway then I would get a propane torch or better yet, MAP torch and heat up that small area of the head where the threads are. Heat it up well then quench it with WD40 or something similar, the spray should sizzle.
Do that at least 2x then try and tighten it back down, do another heat/cool cycle before you start trying to remove it again.
The real problem with this kind of situation is that you really only have one chance to get it right before the head of the bolt is destroyed or snaps off entirely.

Oh, is that VC plastic? If so you'll have to cut the head of that bolt off with Dremel, remove the rest of the bolts, remove the VC then do the above procedure with a set of Visegrips on the stud of the bolt.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:07 pm

grannyknot wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:26 pm Oh, is that VC plastic? If so you'll have to cut the head of that bolt off with Dremel, remove the rest of the bolts, remove the VC then do the above procedure with a set of Visegrips on the stud of the bolt.
Hi grannynot , that was my next step if I cant get it to undo . The only other method I have read about is drilling a small hole and banging a square bit like an allen key into the hole and then using that to try and release it but as you say one chance as the bolts/screws are so soft . Typical that all the others were no problem :x . Thanks :thumbsup:
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

User avatar
grannyknot
Member
Member
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by grannyknot » Sun Jan 15, 2023 10:07 pm

I've always wanted to get one of these induction nut/stud remover, they suppose to be terrific, it might be worth looking to see if a shop around you will rent theirs to you. They are starting to get more popular.
https://www.ubuy.com.tr/en/product/6Z8M ... lt-remover
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:07 pm

grannyknot wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 10:07 pm They are starting to get more popular.
Yes I have seen them being used on You tube . Well I have just had another go with a different type of bolt remover and it just took the head of the bolt so at least I can get the valve cover of now :roll: :) and then try and remove whats left of the bolt .
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

Mike6
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1073
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:17 pm

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by Mike6 » Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:59 pm

You might be able to file whats left of the bolt shaft square and then you can get a heavy duty spanner on it.

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Wed Jan 18, 2023 9:53 pm

Mike6 wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:59 pm file whats left of the bolt shaft square
Yes I will try that just not much diameter to work with. I am going to do the bits that I was going to do first and then "attack" the bolt issue last . I can only work on it for small amounts of time so jobs take longer than normal .

Thanks :thumbsup:
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

jetrep
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:51 pm
Location: Nevada USA

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by jetrep » Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:53 pm

I understand that the bolt has since broken at the head but I think this is worth mentioning. Forgive me if I misunderstand but it sounds like you should not have used a an extractor socket. These should only be used if the head of the fastener is stripped and a standard tool will no longer grip the fastener as designed. Extractors damage the head and often only make things worse. In your situation it sounds like the bolt would have snapped either way unfortunately.

Hopefully you have enough bolt sticking out to get a good hold of it with vice grips.

User avatar
inkey$
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 10475
Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Sevenoaks & Suffolk
Contact:

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by inkey$ » Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:00 pm

I’d Dremel a deep notch in the head, then breakout your biggest screwdriver, just in case.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

jetrep
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:51 pm
Location: Nevada USA

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by jetrep » Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:06 pm

I'd also do repeated applications of the plus gas. With the valve cover out of the way it's likely easier to direct it right into the threads. Let it soak for multiple days.

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:32 am

jetrep wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:53 pm These should only be used if the head of the fastener is stripped
Hi jetrep . Yes the head had stripped trying to remove the screw/bolt which is why I used the extractor .

I have also tried vice grips or mole grips as we call them over here but I have not had any luck . I will have another attempt with them . :thumbsup:
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:40 am

inkey$ wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:00 pm I’d Dremel a deep notch in the head
Hi inkey . The head is no longer on the bolt or did you mean whats left ? The bolt or screw shank is not that big so after putting a notch in it that would accept a screwdriver there will not be much meat left on the bone so am not sure that would work in this situation but will give it a try if all else fails . Thanks :thumbsup:
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

User avatar
1536Z4
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1572
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
Location: North Shropshire

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by 1536Z4 » Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:42 am

jetrep wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:06 pm Let it soak for multiple days.
Yes have been applying daily whilst doing the other maintenance jobs before I try and remove again .Thanks :thumbsup:
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .

Nick W
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1515
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2017 2:06 pm
Location: Plymouth ish

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by Nick W » Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:33 am

Tack weld an old Allen key or some steel bar with something to grip on to it, the thermal shock may help, so would some gentle vertical hammer blows before you unscrew. Also protect your exposed mechanical parts from debris. Good luck.
Silver M Roadster
220d Active Tourer
Landrovers 90 & 110

DevonPaul
Member
Member
Posts: 197
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2015 12:35 pm

Valve cover bolt wont budge - E86

Post by DevonPaul » Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:58 am

I was just going to suggest as Nick has - if you can part thread a nut to the remaining stud, then tack weld it. Lots of heating, spraying, and tapping the end with a small hammer when hot and cold.

I've done this in the past with bike exhaust studs.

If you end up drilling it out try and use a 90 degree bit holder and come in from underneath - that way the swarf goes away from the engine :)
2006 Imola Z4MC (wife's shopping trolley)
1990 Toyota Carina (Started as a free family heirloom, now apparently a Classic)
2016 Toyota Avensis 1.6D (yup, the *really* slow one).
2011 TDM900
1997 VFR750 project. 95% complete. Only 30% left to do.

Post Reply