e90 Head Bolt Failure

SedansDoItBetter · 10-01-2019, 02:34 PM

About 3 months ago I purchased a 06 325i 6speed 180k, knowing the main issues these cars have this one was in pretty good condition despite the basic issues.

I like the car but I think I have hit a turning point to never buy another one again. After researching on these forums I've seen a few veterans here and even a few people hitting 250k+ miles with these.

I've replaced a lot of things trying to make this the best daily driver car, I recently did my oil pan gasket and found the head of a bolt. I inspected rods, oil pump, and everything underneath and all was still there intact. I researched and it seems here recently this is now being discovered by a lot of people that the front head bolts (near timing cover) are a known failing issue. There were a few reports at 50k miles, now at 110k will happen, turning it into a maintenance procedure.

I'd like to add my experience and keep you guys updated for when I do this repair and will make a detailed explanation on how it is fixed, hoping to make a good DIY.

My car now has 187k runs strong. If anyone else wants to share there thoughts or input as more people are going to be running into this issue you're more than welcome.

Mantraxalos · 10-02-2019, 11:25 AM

What was the build date of your 325i?
My 06 325i is from 08/2006 and the timing chain cover/ head bolt near the forward part of the intake manifold is still intact.
I have about 164k miles on mine.

My engine runs wonderfully but I have an annoying drivetrain vibration on acceleration that is very noticeable above 4k rpm in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear. I'll hunt that down soon.

Efthreeoh · 10-02-2019, 12:42 PM

About 30 months ago, I was in the bottom end and top end of my engine near the 300,000 mark doing the VCG and OPG. Timing case bolts were still I in tact. 82,000 now past that mileage, no signs of bolt failure. Hitting 250,000 on an N52 E90 is not difficult. My car is an April 2006 build. Failed bolts is an early production issue. Later cars do not have the problem. It's been well documented on E90 Post.

Assuming you have a manual... the driveline vibration is probably the dual mass flywheel going out. Good luck with your car. It has plenty of life left in it. It's a near 200,000-mile old BMW, not a new Camry, so it will need repairs. The trick is not to go overboard with it.

smass · 10-02-2019, 12:53 PM

Was the bolt under the intake timing chain sprocket? I found the repair easier than doing the oil pan gasket.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=958844

tlow98 · 10-02-2019, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SedansDoItBetter

About 3 months ago I purchased a 06 325i 6speed 180k, knowing the main issues these cars have this one was in pretty good condition despite the basic issues.

I like the car but I think I have hit a turning point to never buy another one again. After researching on these forums I've seen a few veterans here and even a few people hitting 250k+ miles with these.

I've replaced a lot of things trying to make this the best daily driver car, I recently did my oil pan gasket and found the head of a bolt. I inspected rods, oil pump, and everything underneath and all was still there intact. I researched and it seems here recently this is now being discovered by a lot of people that the front head bolts (near timing cover) are a known failing issue. There were a few reports at 50k miles, now at 110k will happen, turning it into a maintenance procedure.

I'd like to add my experience and keep you guys updated for when I do this repair and will make a detailed explanation on how it is fixed, hoping to make a good DIY.

My car now has 187k runs strong. If anyone else wants to share there thoughts or input as more people are going to be running into this issue you're more than welcome.

If you bought this car for less than $4k and get a couple of years out of it with little maintenance I'm not sure how you can complain?

if there are no issues with it's running condition then I don't see any issues with the head bolt missing. Unless, it just bugs you? at this value point it's kind of moot.

spiderspider · 10-02-2019, 05:29 PM

the VANOS cam bolts shear off and end up in the oil pan. all 4 of my VANOS bolts were broken and repaired under warranty, which was extended to 10 years by BMW regarding this issue. i don't know why they didn't just issue a recall. 3 of them were retrieved in the oil pan (also got a new oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket out of it). the new bolts are supposed to be improved.

10-01-2019, 02:34 PM	#1
SedansDoItBetter Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 325i 6speed Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	e90 Head Bolt Failure About 3 months ago I purchased a 06 325i 6speed 180k, knowing the main issues these cars have this one was in pretty good condition despite the basic issues. I like the car but I think I have hit a turning point to never buy another one again. After researching on these forums I've seen a few veterans here and even a few people hitting 250k+ miles with these. I've replaced a lot of things trying to make this the best daily driver car, I recently did my oil pan gasket and found the head of a bolt. I inspected rods, oil pump, and everything underneath and all was still there intact. I researched and it seems here recently this is now being discovered by a lot of people that the front head bolts (near timing cover) are a known failing issue. There were a few reports at 50k miles, now at 110k will happen, turning it into a maintenance procedure. I'd like to add my experience and keep you guys updated for when I do this repair and will make a detailed explanation on how it is fixed, hoping to make a good DIY. My car now has 187k runs strong. If anyone else wants to share there thoughts or input as more people are going to be running into this issue you're more than welcome.
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10-02-2019, 11:25 AM	#2
Mantraxalos Second Lieutenant 78 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Manual Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Detroit iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 3.0i [0.00] 2006 330I [0.00]	What was the build date of your 325i? My 06 325i is from 08/2006 and the timing chain cover/ head bolt near the forward part of the intake manifold is still intact. I have about 164k miles on mine. My engine runs wonderfully but I have an annoying drivetrain vibration on acceleration that is very noticeable above 4k rpm in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear. I'll hunt that down soon.
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10-02-2019, 12:42 PM	#3
Efthreeoh General 17205 Rep 18,696 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	About 30 months ago, I was in the bottom end and top end of my engine near the 300,000 mark doing the VCG and OPG. Timing case bolts were still I in tact. 82,000 now past that mileage, no signs of bolt failure. Hitting 250,000 on an N52 E90 is not difficult. My car is an April 2006 build. Failed bolts is an early production issue. Later cars do not have the problem. It's been well documented on E90 Post. Assuming you have a manual... the driveline vibration is probably the dual mass flywheel going out. Good luck with your car. It has plenty of life left in it. It's a near 200,000-mile old BMW, not a new Camry, so it will need repairs. The trick is not to go overboard with it. Last edited by Efthreeoh; 10-02-2019 at 12:51 PM..
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10-02-2019, 12:53 PM	#4
smass Lieutenant Colonel 396 Rep 1,578 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]	Was the bolt under the intake timing chain sprocket? I found the repair easier than doing the oil pan gasket. https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=958844
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10-02-2019, 05:29 PM	#6
spiderspider Captain 312 Rep 657 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT, 991 C4S, E46 330i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	the VANOS cam bolts shear off and end up in the oil pan. all 4 of my VANOS bolts were broken and repaired under warranty, which was extended to 10 years by BMW regarding this issue. i don't know why they didn't just issue a recall. 3 of them were retrieved in the oil pan (also got a new oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket out of it). the new bolts are supposed to be improved.
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