[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by Malo_Industries

Fair enough!
I will try to source aluminum bolts and add them as an option.

My wife just read my pervious post and said it sounds like I'm being passive aggressive and to stop writing like I'm writing in German. My apologies!

Any updates on this? Waiting to order the kit for revised bolts to be included, thanks!

[michaelalex17]

Malo coming in clutch! already has the aluminum bolts added to his website!

https://maloindustries.com/products/...41707555192991

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Aren't the head bolts stainless steel?

I've installed two of the Malo guards on N52s.

No. they're just regular steel. And the head bolts don't touch magnesium either - they thread into the aluminum portion of the block.

I really doubt that guy has put 600 of these on N52s, lol. but maybe? Anyway, whenever I finish building my N52, I'll probably add this, because why not?

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

No. they're just regular steel. And the head bolts don't touch magnesium either - they thread into the aluminum portion of the block.

I really doubt that guy has put 600 of these on N52s, lol. but maybe? Anyway, whenever I finish building my N52, I'll probably add this, because why not?

I think it's possible. I've installed one on mine and two other cars I service. The customer service I received has been great.

[e90yyc]

Thanks for sharing your experience Biginboca—particularly with the ECS product.

LOL at the bolt discussion tho.

I applaud Malo for doing the right thing here and communicating in a courteous and open-minded way. So no issues there. But CLEARLY there is a close relationship between Cloverdale and the company, or else the Malo account wouldn’t have just magically appeared. Somebody tipped them off . And this other guy wouldn’t be insistent that belt consumption is actually a widespread problem, which obviously would be desirable for sales. Not at all suggesting they’re the same people, but I did find it a bit amusing.

I’m glad to see they’ve updated their bolt material to the correct one. While I can appreciate that using SS might not be critical in this case, why not just do it the right way and avoid incompatibility altogether.

[bshambam]

oh wow. I didn't have any of these problems you had.
damn..

[colorado.e9x]

Small bump, what is the torque for the aluminum bolts on this project? I'd imagine it's different than the torque used for the SS bolts.

If it matters, specifically with Malo's dome head aluminum bolts.

Also I did find it interesting that Malos account was created and last online on the dates he posted on here, and only has those two posts. Lol. Cloverdale is also based out of BC according to his license plate, like Malo. Not that I care, I just like being nosy. With that being said the product appears to be very well made.

Edit: 8Nm + 90°?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...52#description

[hassmaschine]

Ahh, Cloverdale, BC.. I haven't been there in over 2 years now. Thankfully the border restrictions are finally ending on April 1st.

Also nobody from Cloverdale would ever say they were from Surrey - even though it's basically the same thing. So I think they are definitely not the same person.

[e90yyc]

Lol Surrey

[bshambam]

What is a 'Surrey' =D

[ConvertX]

Also installed the Malo crank seal guard on my N52, extremely happy with the quality.

Tip: Discovered the AC compressor bolts are the same thread pitch. They can be trimmed to compensate for the thickness increase of the seal guard. Just be sure to clean up the first thread where the cut was made, and cautiously screw in by hand at first.

[Cloverdale]

Originally Posted by ConvertX

Also installed the Malo crank seal guard on my N52, extremely happy with the quality.

Tip: Discovered the AC compressor bolts are the same thread pitch. They can be trimmed to compensate for the thickness increase of the seal guard. Just be sure to clean up the first thread where the cut was made, and cautiously screw in by hand at first.

Why was this necessary?

[shh125]

The two bolts for the two Vanos Solenoid valves are stainless steel.

The two bolts for Coolant Hose Flange ( cylinder head to thermostat hose) or mickey mouse flange are also stainless steel.

I have installed the Malo with their provided 2 stainless steel dome head bolts.

I am not sure if I replace them with their new Aluminum Dome head bolts.
I have already put the included Loctite on the stainless steel bolts when I put them on.

If I remove their stainless steel bolts, how to clean the small amount of Loctite which will remain inside the cylinder threaded hole before putting their new Aluminum bolts?

[ConvertX]

Originally Posted by Cloverdale

Why was this necessary?

My E90 has an N52, and sadly steel bolts don't play nicely with magnesium long term.

Originally Posted by shh125

The two bolts for the two Vanos Solenoid valves are stainless steel.

The two bolts for Coolant Hose Flange ( cylinder head to thermostat hose) or mickey mouse flange are also stainless steel.

I have installed the Malo with their provided 2 stainless steel dome head bolts.

I am not sure if I replace them with their new Aluminum Dome head bolts.
I have already put the included Loctite on the stainless steel bolts when I put them on.

If I remove their stainless steel bolts, how to clean the small amount of Loctite which will remain inside the cylinder threaded hole before putting their new Aluminum bolts?

The cylinder head is aluminum so steel bolts are fine for VANOS/coolant flange, and anything else.

Inside of the magnesium block there is an aluminum cooling jacket insert. That's why a very very small (2?) number of bolts going into the block are steel instead of the expected aluminum.

I would personally remove the steel bolts and use a stiff nylon (not metal) pipe cleaning brush to remove loose thread locker. Can also blast a little parts cleaner into the holes- just give them plenty of time to dry out. Small amount of residue is pretty low risk.

Whether or not steel bolts are problematic long term has been a matter of debate. There is galvanic corrosion at play, but alarmingly found references stating magnesium can physically "migrate" away from a harder fastener over time due to material properties. Sadly it's not clear if the specific alloy used for the N51/N52 exhibits this property- and I didn't want to test it. Steel bolts may never be a problem, but why take the risk when AC compressor bolts are a few bucks and can be trimmed in a couple minutes?

[k90]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Edit: 8Nm + 90°?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...52#description

One particular information system says for M8x37 bedplate bolts 10Nm + 90°
Before reading that I did 8Nm + 90° and it was nerve wracking enough. It will have to do!
Actually at the end I think I saw the bolt flange "melting" like butter on warm plate. Flange started to shred at clamp surface.

As E12 1/4" sockets are rare and the oilpan flange was obstructing the straight line access to bolts as well as A/C line below limiting the length I had to improvise a tool. See photo. I should really get a 1/4" E12.

While you are at it you might want to replace the harmonic damper bolts if heavilly rusted - which is typical. I had to lightly tap with a hammer the socket in place for every bolt. Not the worst I have seen. Could have used them if I didn't have new bolts.
Code for bolts: 11237564511
No. of bolts: 6
Torque: 25Nm

I'd recommend doing this operation without radiator(while doing other tasks that require coolant drain). ie. Torque wrench requires all the space when tightening the aluminum bolts. Also room for impact gun to blow those old bolts right out without upsetting the crankshaft to turn backwards. The torque for bolt tightening was actually enough to slightly advance the crankshaft for every bolt.

My engine needs a bubble bath.

Thanks to Biginboca for trying it out for us.

[The Nightman]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005210670266.html

Who wants to try the AliExpress knock off?

[jadams161]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005210670266.html

Who wants to try the AliExpress knock off?

I just ordered one today.I'll follow up when delivered.May 28th....