[Vitalität]

I used thin skinny screwdriver and what seems to be a piece of bolt moves but I can't seem to rotate it easily. Please advise and thanks in advance!

[Vitalität]

I got the one by the oil filter housing removed (yellow arrow). That pain is about 3 " in length. Now I need to order this and see what part number since info I searched for was not clear.

Now, has anyone removed what seems to be broken head bolts as underneath the cam shaft actuators? I wonder if those matters since they are inside the valve cover?

[Vitalität]

Anyone about my last question? I am stuck right now and I'm ready to put the valve cover and everything back but need to know if I need to replace the bolts (not sure if they're broken bolts or what) underneath the actuators.

[kkasson]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...lt_Testing.htm

Does this help?

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by kkasson

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...lt_Testing.htm

Does this help?

Thanks. I guess this is where my DIY ends. Darn BMW.

[kkasson]

I would get in touch with BMWNA and see if they can do something for you. You might have to call a few different people before somebody will help but they should do something.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by kkasson

I would get in touch with BMWNA and see if they can do something for you. You might have to call a few different people before somebody will help but they should do something.

I did actually. They said they can't do anything about it due to age and mileage (06/111K). I made it clear though that these are common on 330i and it is not something isolated and that there is a pattern and having aluminum material is not a very smart and clever idea in an area of he engine that requires a stronger one. If wasn't for those aluminum bolts, I still have no problem. Even discounts they cannot provide.

I am buying some pick tools to see if I can reach in and extract them without removing the actuator sprockets.

[samulis]

I have the same issue. I recently found 2 heads in my oil pan when I was replacing a gasket. Let me know if you have any success removing them. So far my head isn't leaking and from the look of the heads (glossy), they've been floating around for a while in my oil pan.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by samulis

I have the same issue. I recently found 2 heads in my oil pan when I was replacing a gasket. Let me know if you have any success removing them. So far my head isn't leaking and from the look of the heads (glossy), they've been floating around for a while in my oil pan.

Hmmmm no leaks at all? Interesting. Are these from the same location underneath the two actuator sprockets that holds the timing chain?

[samulis]

Nope no leaks, I haven't pulled the valve cover to identify which bolts have broken, but I know there are 3 under there. The one on the outside of the head in still Intact.

[Vitalität]

These are the ones next to the oil filter housing, it fits right in The dark color one is the broken bolt.

One down and two bolts to go....

[samulis]

Awesome! Please keep us updated with the others.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by samulis

Awesome! Please keep us updated with the others.

Will surely do. Thanks!

[intel1]

You should be able to remove the broken bolts from housing. Use small flat head screw driver and turn them, they will come out. Those bolts are aluminium and they are not tight in the housing. i removed two of them from my houing.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by intel1

You should be able to remove the broken bolts from housing. Use small flat head screw driver and turn them, they will come out. Those bolts are aluminium and they are not tight in the housing. i removed two of them from my houing.

The bolts under the sprockets? I tried to turn it but its hard. I used two pick tools.

[Vitalität]

The bolts under the camshaft sprockets are not bolted inside a threaded covered hole. There is actually an opening on the inside side but can't be reached by hand inside the timing case. Wonder if they're needed to be removed?

See my illustration below if that would help. I know there is a reason why bolts are there but my question is, does it matter really?

[samulis]

I suppose because the head isn't threaded, technically it could deflect causing a head gasket leak. That being said if it isn't leaking now, I honestly don't see why it would start. I took my car to a local BMW shop and there recommendation was to leave it alone unless the head started leaking. I might consider fixing it if I could figure out how to remove the impulse sending wheel fairly easily.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by samulis

I suppose because the head isn't threaded, technically it could deflect causing a head gasket leak. That being said if it isn't leaking now, I honestly don't see why it would start. I took my car to a local BMW shop and there recommendation was to leave it alone unless the head started leaking. I might consider fixing it if I could figure out how to remove the impulse sending wheel fairly easily.

Yeah I thought of that this morning. I am putting everything back and see hwo it goes. And there is still leaks due to it, then I don't want to mess up with the timing chain and stuff so this might be one job that I'd rather have a professional do it. Will give you updates.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by samulis

I suppose because the head isn't threaded, technically it could deflect causing a head gasket leak. That being said if it isn't leaking now, I honestly don't see why it would start. I took my car to a local BMW shop and there recommendation was to leave it alone unless the head started leaking. I might consider fixing it if I could figure out how to remove the impulse sending wheel fairly easily.

Put everything back and car is fine and runs great just like before. Those two broken bolts doesn't seem to affect anything. I will observe more for a while. Tested for about 70 miles.

[Vitalität]

Update: I took it for a 700 mile test-drive this past week and its running fine. No issues.

[ksnell]

samulis Vitalität Just found the same two bolt heads in my oil pan when doing the oil pan gasket today. Sigh. I checked up top and my external bolt by the oil filter housing is sheared off as well. Early production 2006 325i.

My question - Have either of you replaced the head bolts? If not, how has it held up since without them? I guess I should just install the new oil pan gasket to get her running again and then go from there?

EDIT: Couple of photos:

View post on imgur.com

View post on imgur.com