Broken head bolts, too!?!

mike-y · 01-05-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhenry7

Love it; it's my new addiction. I guess I have to thank mike-y for the bump on this one, or I would have missed reading about it.

heh, glad my rambling was able to help you out with your car. Good to know that people are getting educated about this. I don't have this problem (yet), but at least now I know what to look for, and where to look.

mhenry7 · 01-16-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhenry7

OMG, I am so glad I read this thread. I not only have the same car as you, but the same problem and the same dealer. Mine is CPO until May. Just went out and looked at my car and there is just a hole where that bolt should be! Looks like mine broke off farther down, I can bearly see the bolt so I didn't even notice that a bolt should have been there. Not only that, but I now see an oil seep around the oil filter housing. Must have been cleaned up by the dealer before I bought it. Will be making an appointment soon.

My appointment is tomorrow, so I went out to see if I could find anything else wrong or loose. The head gasket is leaking from around where the missing bolt is all the way around to the front of the engine. It is a slow leak, no pooling and none on the belt. My question...once the head gasket is leaking like that, does it mean they should be replacing it? Or is replacing the broken bolt enough? On the Chriztofor invoice it showed they checked for leaks and didn't find any so just replaced the bolt.

hipnotic · 01-16-2011, 08:10 PM

hopefully it is under warranty

mhenry7 · 01-16-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh06lau

hopefully it is under warranty

Yes, I have 5 more months of CPO left. I'm hoping they replace all the bolts. Valve cover bolts seem to be holding, at least the ones I can reach.

GMWNashville · 01-16-2011, 08:42 PM

the correct way to fix this issue is to actually pull the head and replace the headgasket and bolts. Theres 3 small alum bolts in the front of the head including the one on the outside which you can see (theres 2 inside the valve cover also). The correct way is to remove the head not just to replace the bolt. Ive seen this issue a few times...most of the time its over 60k miles...

mhenry7 · 01-19-2011, 08:45 PM

Update: Took car in on Monday, showed the SA the broken bolt and leaking oil filter housing. Got call Tuesday saying car was done. Called to ask what was done and he said they replaced the oil filter housing gasket. I asked, what about the head bolt and he said that the hole was normal. I told him he better check again and he said he would call back. Called back and said I was right there is a broken bolt.

So the tech replaced a gasket one inch from the broken bolt AND had an order sitting in front on him that said broken head bolt and he didn't notice it? Man I'm glad I have you guys; you make me know more than a BMW tech apparently.

So, now my worry. They of course are only replacing the bolt and said they would check all the others. I asked how they knew that the head gasket wasn't compromised, given that the filter gasket leak, leaked all over the head gasket. He assured me that there isn't a leak and it will last a long time. Blah, blah, blah... I want to make sure that if the head gasket ever leaks in the future in that area that they replace it, in or out of warrantee as a leak there would mean it's obviously compromised now. Any suggestions on how to handle this with dealer? I'm supposed to pick up car tomorrow.

mhenry7 · 01-23-2011, 12:21 PM

Update: Picked up car Friday. Bolt replaced, but not the head gasket. I can see how the filter housing leak caused the head gasket to have oil on it, so I have now cleaned everything up to make sure I can see that the head gasket is not leaking. So far, so good, I don't see anything leaking. Found it funny that my order said tech noticed broken head bolt while replacing filter housing gasket.

For what it's worth, so far I still love my dealer. The loaner cars are always better than my car; the place is spotless and everyone is always super nice.

smass · 01-24-2011, 08:11 AM

You have done the right thing by cleaning the area so you can easily spot a future leak. I have never read about a dealer changing the head gasket on a 2006 due to that particular bolt breaking near the oil filter. I would assume the repair has a 12 month warranty so that is even more piece of mind.

bimmergirl76 · 02-03-2011, 07:35 PM

Just wanted to chime in that I have experienced this too. This happened at 77k mi. I had it fixed by an independent shop but am going to bring this to my dealership's attention. A car this expensive should not have a defect like this. I expect this kind of garbage from Chrysler and not BMW.

bumere90 · 02-04-2011, 12:38 PM

Here is my problem. my car has 94k I just recently bought it, so I don't really know the history of it. I can smell oil burning coming from engine bay, however, no visible leaks or smoke. How can I check whether the head bolt broken or not? Does it affect performance?

jvangel · 02-27-2011, 11:47 AM

For you guys that experienced the head bolt snapping off,....how many miles did you have on the engines when this happened ? I have 59000 now and of course I'll be keeping an eye on this issue. I'm CPO'd till next November so I still have some time.

bmw4jh · 07-21-2011, 09:48 PM

I just picked up my 325i with 69,xxx miles from the dealership yesterday. This is after replacement of the head gasket due to a broken head bolt causing a small oil leak. Everything covered after my CPO with no problems. The best part is that my CPO expired the day after I took my car in. Per SA, I now have two years unlimited mileage on the head work performed by the dealership.
I guess I am keeping my car for at least two more years....

JunkStory · 07-21-2011, 10:06 PM

I wonder if N54 engines will see this same problem? Are N54 using the same aluminum bolts?

benzo23 · 07-21-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkStory

I wonder if N54 engines will see this same problem? Are N54 using the same aluminum bolts?

Who knows you n54 guys have enough problems to worry about lol

JunkStory · 07-21-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzo23

Who knows you n54 guys have enough problems to worry about lol

at least lack of power isn't one of them

hugus311 · 07-21-2011, 11:18 PM

went in two days ago with leaking oil filter housing, SA called me about the broken head bolt .Both covered under CPO. Mileage at 73k

paul3232 · 07-28-2011, 09:05 PM

I too had a broken head bolt by the oil filter housing. My 06 330i has 90k for mileage. I chkd on NHTSB and there were two complaints on this. I spoke with the foreman of the techs at my local BMW dealership and asked if he knew of BMWNA doing any goodwill fixes on this problem and he said no. He said he just did a car a month ago and they just changed the bolt. So I decided to tackle this myself and purchased the bolt for $2.50. You have to remove the intake manifold, air filter housing and power steeing resevoir to get at it. I started drilling and noticed the bolt was loose in their. So I only drilled about an 1/8" into the bolt and vacuumed the shavings. I stuck the ez out in the hole and was able to back the bolt out by hand. Actually was pretty simple. Blew out the oil in the hold with some air and put the bolt in snug tight as I didn't want to snap it off. Also the intake manifold also uses aluminum bolts so you can't go crazy tightening those as well. I still need to gunk the engine and hopefully there will be no more oil leak. All in all it only took two hrs.

hennigan · 10-10-2011, 12:01 PM

Just figured out I have the same problem and tracked down this thread. I am planning on tackling this myself. Does anyone know the torqe specs for the bolt and the specs for the bolts on the intake manifold? Are the intake manifold bolts single use? I hope not.

mhenry7 · 10-10-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hennigan

Just figured out I have the same problem and tracked down this thread. I am planning on tackling this myself. Does anyone know the torqe specs for the bolt and the specs for the bolts on the intake manifold? Are the intake manifold bolts single use? I hope not.

Don't know the torqe specs, but I believe the bolts with a blue dot on them are the single use.

ctuna · 10-10-2011, 05:21 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

hypebeast · 10-27-2011, 05:08 PM

My turn for a broken head bolt. I am the second owner of a 06 325i, bought it when it was practically new, and now have 62K miles but almost two years out of warranty. I took my car in to Stevens Creek for some routine maintenance and they found a broken engine head bolt and the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing are leaking. They quoted me $5200 for the repair, which blew my mind. I called BMWNA and asked about a goodwill repair, but the best they could offer was $1000 off the repair. Needless to say, I will be bringing this to an independent shop.

matrix76 · 10-27-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

You couldn't any closer to the actual DIY than that,

You may as well have just posted this, http://www.google.ca/

01-16-2011, 08:10 PM	#47
hipnotic Major General 149 Rep 6,604 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 335i coupe [7.00]	hopefully it is under warranty
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 08:42 PM	#49
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	the correct way to fix this issue is to actually pull the head and replace the headgasket and bolts. Theres 3 small alum bolts in the front of the head including the one on the outside which you can see (theres 2 inside the valve cover also). The correct way is to remove the head not just to replace the bolt. Ive seen this issue a few times...most of the time its over 60k miles...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2011, 08:45 PM	#50
mhenry7 Private 2 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2008 528xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Update: Took car in on Monday, showed the SA the broken bolt and leaking oil filter housing. Got call Tuesday saying car was done. Called to ask what was done and he said they replaced the oil filter housing gasket. I asked, what about the head bolt and he said that the hole was normal. I told him he better check again and he said he would call back. Called back and said I was right there is a broken bolt. So the tech replaced a gasket one inch from the broken bolt AND had an order sitting in front on him that said broken head bolt and he didn't notice it? Man I'm glad I have you guys; you make me know more than a BMW tech apparently. So, now my worry. They of course are only replacing the bolt and said they would check all the others. I asked how they knew that the head gasket wasn't compromised, given that the filter gasket leak, leaked all over the head gasket. He assured me that there isn't a leak and it will last a long time. Blah, blah, blah... I want to make sure that if the head gasket ever leaks in the future in that area that they replace it, in or out of warrantee as a leak there would mean it's obviously compromised now. Any suggestions on how to handle this with dealer? I'm supposed to pick up car tomorrow.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2011, 12:21 PM	#51
mhenry7 Private 2 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2008 528xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Update: Picked up car Friday. Bolt replaced, but not the head gasket. I can see how the filter housing leak caused the head gasket to have oil on it, so I have now cleaned everything up to make sure I can see that the head gasket is not leaking. So far, so good, I don't see anything leaking. Found it funny that my order said tech noticed broken head bolt while replacing filter housing gasket. For what it's worth, so far I still love my dealer. The loaner cars are always better than my car; the place is spotless and everyone is always super nice.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2011, 08:11 AM	#52
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	You have done the right thing by cleaning the area so you can easily spot a future leak. I have never read about a dealer changing the head gasket on a 2006 due to that particular bolt breaking near the oil filter. I would assume the repair has a 12 month warranty so that is even more piece of mind.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2011, 07:35 PM	#53
bimmergirl76 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 06 325i sedan Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: east bay, ca iTrader: (0)	broken bolt Just wanted to chime in that I have experienced this too. This happened at 77k mi. I had it fixed by an independent shop but am going to bring this to my dealership's attention. A car this expensive should not have a defect like this. I expect this kind of garbage from Chrysler and not BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-04-2011, 12:38 PM	#54
bumere90 Grozniy 177 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: Carless Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (12)	Here is my problem. my car has 94k I just recently bought it, so I don't really know the history of it. I can smell oil burning coming from engine bay, however, no visible leaks or smoke. How can I check whether the head bolt broken or not? Does it affect performance?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2011, 11:47 AM	#55
jvangel New Member 3 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	For you guys that experienced the head bolt snapping off,....how many miles did you have on the engines when this happened ? I have 59000 now and of course I'll be keeping an eye on this issue. I'm CPO'd till next November so I still have some time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2011, 09:48 PM	#56
bmw4jh Private 19 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Count me in... I just picked up my 325i with 69,xxx miles from the dealership yesterday. This is after replacement of the head gasket due to a broken head bolt causing a small oil leak. Everything covered after my CPO with no problems. The best part is that my CPO expired the day after I took my car in. Per SA, I now have two years unlimited mileage on the head work performed by the dealership. I guess I am keeping my car for at least two more years.... __________________ F30 335i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2011, 10:06 PM	#57
JunkStory Major 160 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: E92 M3, 8V RS3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: 98230 iTrader: (3)	I wonder if N54 engines will see this same problem? Are N54 using the same aluminum bolts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2011, 11:18 PM	#60
hugus311 Titanium silver + Sport + Premium 32 Rep 662 Posts Drives: 2006 330i (E90) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: west covina 626 iTrader: (6)	went in two days ago with leaking oil filter housing, SA called me about the broken head bolt .Both covered under CPO. Mileage at 73k
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2011, 09:05 PM	#61
paul3232 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Broken Head Bolt I too had a broken head bolt by the oil filter housing. My 06 330i has 90k for mileage. I chkd on NHTSB and there were two complaints on this. I spoke with the foreman of the techs at my local BMW dealership and asked if he knew of BMWNA doing any goodwill fixes on this problem and he said no. He said he just did a car a month ago and they just changed the bolt. So I decided to tackle this myself and purchased the bolt for $2.50. You have to remove the intake manifold, air filter housing and power steeing resevoir to get at it. I started drilling and noticed the bolt was loose in their. So I only drilled about an 1/8" into the bolt and vacuumed the shavings. I stuck the ez out in the hole and was able to back the bolt out by hand. Actually was pretty simple. Blew out the oil in the hold with some air and put the bolt in snug tight as I didn't want to snap it off. Also the intake manifold also uses aluminum bolts so you can't go crazy tightening those as well. I still need to gunk the engine and hopefully there will be no more oil leak. All in all it only took two hrs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 12:01 PM	#62
hennigan Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi manual 140K Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bethlehem, PA iTrader: (0)	Same problem at 104,000 Just figured out I have the same problem and tracked down this thread. I am planning on tackling this myself. Does anyone know the torqe specs for the bolt and the specs for the bolts on the intake manifold? Are the intake manifold bolts single use? I hope not.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 05:21 PM	#64
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	I think there is a torque spec in the DIY section http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2011, 05:08 PM	#65
hypebeast New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 06 325i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Broken engine head bolt My turn for a broken head bolt. I am the second owner of a 06 325i, bought it when it was practically new, and now have 62K miles but almost two years out of warranty. I took my car in to Stevens Creek for some routine maintenance and they found a broken engine head bolt and the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing are leaking. They quoted me $5200 for the repair, which blew my mind. I called BMWNA and asked about a goodwill repair, but the best they could offer was $1000 off the repair. Needless to say, I will be bringing this to an independent shop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote