Help on n52 valve cover..broken bolt

[Bmw Enthusiast]

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?

 

[curvature]

Have you tried some heat on it?

 

[raymond.harper]

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

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

Alloy head, so can't apply much heat. Think of trying one of these https://youtube.com/watch?v=08pSQKRUOxI&si=d69b7o_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]

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

 

[Bmw Enthusiast]

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.

 

[raymond.harper]

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]

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.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's a great result.

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.