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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > 07 Internal Head Bolt



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      11-06-2013, 07:14 PM   #1
futuresvt
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07 Internal Head Bolt

Local shop was fixing my leaky oil pan and they found a sheered bolt head in the oil pan. I haven't pulled the valve cover off yet but it seems that it could be the Aluminum head bolt that's on the n52.

Cant tell if they head is leaking or if I had a really bad oil filter housing leak which they also just replaced. Once everything is back together and clean I should know more.

Does anyone have any pictures of what/where the internal head bolts are located?

My build date is 06/07 328i
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      11-07-2013, 05:27 AM   #2
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search a little.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671903
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      11-07-2013, 05:47 AM   #3
futuresvt
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Yea I've read that one and a few others but the bolt I'm referring to isn't the one under the oil filter housing. My broken bolt must have came from under the valve cover or some where internal since it was sitting inside the oil pan.
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      11-07-2013, 07:13 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by futuresvt View Post
Yea I've read that one and a few others but the bolt I'm referring to isn't the one under the oil filter housing. My broken bolt must have came from under the valve cover or some where internal since it was sitting inside the oil pan.
I dont think there is a way for a bolt head to migrate from the valve cover to the oil pan.

Early N52s have had some issues with overtorqued bolts. Both on the top and bottom. The bolts are made of aluminum to save weight.

It may have been in there since the engine was assembled (I doubt it) or dropped in during another repair?

The only way to know for sure is to drop the pan and make an inspection. It sounds like your mechanic has already done this.

let us know how it works out.
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      11-07-2013, 12:09 PM   #5
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Im sure its the 2 bolts under the vanos unit. Be prepare to spend big bucks on the timing tool. Replaced mine, it was relatively easy.
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      11-07-2013, 01:41 PM   #6
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This is what the mechanic found!!

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      11-07-2013, 05:18 PM   #7
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Looks like it's from the Fetzer valve.....
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      11-07-2013, 06:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smellthebeans View Post
I dont think there is a way for a bolt head to migrate from the valve cover to the oil pan.
It could fall down one of the crank case ventilation passages in the block. I've seen engine blocks with passages that went from the crankcase to the head. Haven't seen an N52 with the head off, but those passages are common.
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      11-07-2013, 09:00 PM   #9
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There is 3 aluminum head bolts located in front of the head right in front/below of the vanos gears. They usually make their way down the timing chain area. Have seen a few get jammed up on the timing chain.
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      11-08-2013, 04:37 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmrman1 View Post
There is 3 aluminum head bolts located in front of the head right in front/below of the vanos gears. They usually make their way down the timing chain area. Have seen a few get jammed up on the timing chain.
I stand corrected. Most of the bolts I have seen & read about came off on the top.
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      11-08-2013, 07:20 PM   #11
futuresvt
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Anyone have any good pics of these bolts? I plan on having the shop pull the valve cover here in a few weeks. In the mean time I'm going to keep an eye out for any oil leaks coming from the head.
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      11-13-2013, 07:00 AM   #12
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A couple of years ago I found a broken bolt on the head, outside of the valve cover, behind the oil filter housing. Took it to the shop to be fixed and when they pulled off the valve cover, they found several more broken bolts in the timing chain area. They are not head bolts per se as they do not hold the head to the block. Rather they are for the timing chain cover. I wonder if one of those could migrate to the oil pan?
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      03-24-2014, 08:44 PM   #13
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Missing Bolts INSIDE The Valve Cover

BUMP

We replaced my VCG and OFHG this afternoon and noticed that 2 of the aluminum bolts "inside" the VC underneath the timing chain unit were completely missing. Both bolt heads are gone but the screws are still in there. I haven't done an oil change recently and don't know when they may have broken off. Hopefully both heads have fallen down into the oil pan and I can try and see if they come out on my next oil change.

Question: how critical is it to get these bolts replaced? We haven't finished putting the car back so I'm not sure if there'll be any leaks anywhere.



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      03-25-2014, 04:54 PM   #14
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wtf happened to BMW....
this is disgusting, bolt heads snapping, a common occurrence

its BS design and bad quality,
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