Do you replace valve cover bolts?

N54Society · 08-09-2015, 02:51 AM

I called my dealership today to see if they had the 26 bolts needed to secure the valve cover and they said that I don't need new ones for my 2008 335i. They are supposedly made out of steel. Is this true? My car's build date is 12/07.

Thanks

e90_Nick · 08-09-2015, 03:26 AM

I believe you do need to. As long as they have blue residue/loctite on the threads then you have to replace them.

jin · 08-09-2015, 03:42 AM

Put a magnet on them and find out.

#Tee · 08-09-2015, 04:05 AM

no

milbotate · 08-09-2015, 07:27 AM

Google diy e90 n54 valve cover gasket. There are complete instructions with pics. I am getting ready to do this also. Good luck.

smitty513 · 08-09-2015, 07:32 AM

No the bolts don't need replacing. Maybe if gasket has already been replaced or if bolts have surface rust I would but I never have. They arent aluminum on the n54. Make sure you start all of them by hand first then tighten/torque the four corners first. seems to be the trick to prevent them from cracking

KeepRidingDirty · 08-09-2015, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty513

No the bolts don't need replacing. Maybe if gasket has already been replaced or if bolts have surface rust I would but I never have. They arent aluminum on the n54. Make sure you start all of them by hand first then tighten/torque the four corners first. seems to be the trick to prevent them from cracking

+1 bolts on n54 are steel, bolts on the N52 are aluminum and need to be replaced. The bolts on the N52 are prone to breaking, where the N54 the valve cover is prone to cracking.

N54Society · 08-09-2015, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jin

Put a magnet on them and find out.

Good idea! Didn't think of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Tee

no

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by milbotate

Google diy e90 n54 valve cover gasket. There are complete instructions with pics. I am getting ready to do this also. Good luck.

Yes, I've seen the DIY and will be using it to do this on my car with a friend. The DIY should be updated to say the N54 does not need new bolts for the valve cover. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty513

No the bolts don't need replacing. Maybe if gasket has already been replaced or if bolts have surface rust I would but I never have. They arent aluminum on the n54. Make sure you start all of them by hand first then tighten/torque the four corners first. seems to be the trick to prevent them from cracking

Thank you. So the dealer was right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepRidingDirty

+1 bolts on n54 are steel, bolts on the N52 are aluminum and need to be replaced. The bolts on the N52 are prone to breaking, where the N54 the valve cover is prone to cracking.

That's what he said too. He said the 330 and some other model used the aluminum bolts. Thanks!

marketmaster · 08-09-2015, 02:29 PM

The bolts still break very easy. Make sure you torque them to spec. I snapped one off and left the car down for many days.

robc1976 · 08-09-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milbotate

Google diy e90 n54 valve cover gasket. There are complete instructions with pics. I am getting ready to do this also. Good luck.

Yep, I wrote it, you don't have to replace bolts but I would also not just replace the gasket. I suggest replacing entire cover and the cover comes with bolts and gasket.

robc1976 · 08-09-2015, 04:11 PM

Make sure car is cold before doing this job.

robc1976 · 08-09-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbp6us

Good idea! Didn't think of that.

Thanks

Yes, I've seen the DIY and will be using it to do this on my car with a friend. The DIY should be updated to say the N54 does not need new bolts for the valve cover. Thanks!

Thank you. So the dealer was right.

That's what he said too. He said the 330 and some other model used the aluminum bolts. Thanks!

My DIY has always stated "it is not necessary to replace bolts".

N54Society · 08-09-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

My DIY has always stated "it is not necessary to replace bolts".

Sorry I misspoke. In the comments some people seem to indicate that replacing the bolts is necessary. I will be replacing the valve cover which comes with bolts as you indicated.

jin · 08-09-2015, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

Yep, I wrote it, you don't have to replace bolts but I would also not just replace the gasket. I suggest replacing entire cover and the cover comes with bolts and gasket.

Why change the cover? If its not cracked or leaking is there any benefit?

glachhman2 · 08-09-2015, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jin

Why change the cover? If its not cracked or leaking is there any benefit?

Something about a filter built into the cover which cant be cleaned

robc1976 · 08-09-2015, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glachhman2

Something about a filter built into the cover which cant be cleaned

Lot more than that, it is the pcv ports and channel's. This can lead to pressure in crankcase and cause turbo drain issues among other thing.

This is inside a valve cover I changed:

08-10-2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

I suggest replacing entire cover and the cover comes with bolts and gasket.

This ^^^ Just do this.

taz2ko0 · 08-10-2015, 08:42 AM

I replaced the bolts. It came with the kit. Did not want to have to this again for a while since I am keeping this car for a while. I also had to replace the OFH gasket as well.

N54Society · 08-10-2015, 01:25 PM

Anyone have the part number for this kit? My dealer insists that they're steel and cannot be stretched or snapped at 7 ft-lbs or anything close to it. And he quoted me $400+ for just the cover...

JJH · 08-11-2015, 12:03 AM

BMW part # 11127565284; also available here > http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...overs/ES18622/

N54Society · 08-11-2015, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH_335

BMW part # 11127565284; also available here > http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...overs/ES18622/

Thank you.

GOS7 · 08-11-2015, 03:47 PM

Can't the valve cover just be cleaned opposed to spending $400 on a new one?

Edit: Disregard, just re-read glachhman's post about the uncleanable built in filter. Does having a OCC make replacing the valve cover unnecessary?

08-09-2015, 02:51 AM	#1
N54Society Major Private First Class 449 Rep 1,327 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: US, NA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy iTrader: (2)	Do you replace valve cover bolts? I called my dealership today to see if they had the 26 bolts needed to secure the valve cover and they said that I don't need new ones for my 2008 335i. They are supposedly made out of steel. Is this true? My car's build date is 12/07. Thanks __________________ 2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets \| Stage 1 LPFP \| 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW \| Custom BuraQ + MHD tune \| 3.5Bar N20 sensor [SOLD] 2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: 5" Stepped FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP - MHD V7 E60 Tune running 100% E85 - VRSF DPs
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08-09-2015, 03:26 AM	#2
e90_Nick Private 11 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: dealership iTrader: (0)	I believe you do need to. As long as they have blue residue/loctite on the threads then you have to replace them.
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08-09-2015, 03:42 AM	#3
jin Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NZ iTrader: (2)	Put a magnet on them and find out.
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08-09-2015, 04:05 AM	#4
#Tee Major General 557 Rep 5,367 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Socal iTrader: (2)	no __________________ You can follow my builds on IG: Tee212
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08-09-2015, 07:27 AM	#5
milbotate New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2007 335i hard top Join Date: May 2015 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Google diy e90 n54 valve cover gasket. There are complete instructions with pics. I am getting ready to do this also. Good luck.
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08-09-2015, 07:32 AM	#6
smitty513 Private 20 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 07 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	No the bolts don't need replacing. Maybe if gasket has already been replaced or if bolts have surface rust I would but I never have. They arent aluminum on the n54. Make sure you start all of them by hand first then tighten/torque the four corners first. seems to be the trick to prevent them from cracking
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08-09-2015, 02:29 PM	#9
marketmaster First Lieutenant 35 Rep 311 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States-TX iTrader: (2)	The bolts still break very easy. Make sure you torque them to spec. I snapped one off and left the car down for many days.
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08-09-2015, 04:11 PM	#11
robc1976 DIYER 614 Rep 5,521 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Illinois iTrader: (14)	Make sure car is cold before doing this job. __________________ JB4 G5, Stage 3 LPFP, Stage 2 MOTIV PI, VM 6466 ST, Custom OCC W/ SS lines, ER FMIC, ER CP W/HKS BOV, M3 control arms, M3 guide rods, M3 upper links, M3 front & rear sway-bars, HPA rear toe arms, Wavetrac LSD, HPF Gen 2, DEFIV kit, KW clubsport, Delrin solid SF bushings, stoptech rotors, Rogue Tranny Mounts, 1M bumper, M3 CF hood, M3 fenders, M3 OEM sideskirts, Mtech rear bumper, CSL trunk, MORR VS8.2 rims 245/295
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08-10-2015, 08:42 AM	#18
taz2ko0 Aw sh!t 112 Rep 988 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (4)	I replaced the bolts. It came with the kit. Did not want to have to this again for a while since I am keeping this car for a while. I also had to replace the OFH gasket as well. __________________ Bigger is always better! M4
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08-10-2015, 01:25 PM	#19
N54Society Major Private First Class 449 Rep 1,327 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: US, NA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy iTrader: (2)	Anyone have the part number for this kit? My dealer insists that they're steel and cannot be stretched or snapped at 7 ft-lbs or anything close to it. And he quoted me $400+ for just the cover... __________________ 2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets \| Stage 1 LPFP \| 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW \| Custom BuraQ + MHD tune \| 3.5Bar N20 sensor [SOLD] 2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: 5" Stepped FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP - MHD V7 E60 Tune running 100% E85 - VRSF DPs Last edited by N54Society; 08-10-2015 at 01:32 PM..
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08-11-2015, 12:03 AM	#20
JJH Major 544 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: IB E92 M3 DCT; SG E90 325i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canberra, Australia iTrader: (1)	BMW part # 11127565284; also available here > http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...overs/ES18622/ __________________
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08-11-2015, 03:47 PM	#22
GOS7 Enthusiast 67 Rep 236 Posts Drives: F82, E28 535is Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Can't the valve cover just be cleaned opposed to spending $400 on a new one? Edit: Disregard, just re-read glachhman's post about the uncleanable built in filter. Does having a OCC make replacing the valve cover unnecessary? Last edited by GOS7; 08-11-2015 at 03:53 PM..
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