[humbertob]

Hi everybody, well my car started to leak oil 2 days ago, the VCG and the OFHG was checked and both are in good shape (replaced a year ago both of them), well just found the problem: I got a broken bolt on the block next to the oil filter housing under the manifold, please check the pictures attached, do you got an idea what options do I have ? What would you do in my place ? My nearest BMW stealership is 210 miles from here and I'm a totally DIY guy, so I'm ready to take the intake manifold off and everything in between that I need to get the broken bolt off. Any ideas/advice ? Thanks in advance guys !

[Efthreeoh]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321170


It's been a common problem on some N52s.

[Harry335i]

From the looks of it, you will have to get a lot of parts out of the way to get to it. Go for it.

[humbertob]

Just to let you know guys, today I just extracted the broken bolt, more easy than I expected, I just removed the air filter box, the lower intake boot, put the power steering bottle aside, removed the 7 bolts from the manifold and that's it, I just moved the complete manifold away from the engine with everything connected to it, then extracted the broken bolt with a plain screwdriver and that's it, I'm just waiting for the replacement bolt to arrive to correct the oil leak. Hope this cures the problem right away ! So there's no need to dissasamble the whole manifold and all the connections involved to replace this bolt, just to let you all know ! Thanks all for your help ! I'll post further results later this week.

[Meeni]

The tip of the broken bolt was that easy to remove or is it still stuck in there?

[humbertob]

It was very easy to remove I don't even used any bolt extractor, just used a screwdriver over the broken bolt to unscrew it and it's now off ! I'm just waiting for the replacement bolt to arrive and put all the parts back on the car and that's it !

[ctuna]

Be sure to use a torque wrench.
Also all the bolts with blue painted heads are suppose to be
one use bolts.

[longnvu]

i replaced all 3 of mine its pretty easy. I'm sure you have broken bolts under the valve cover, which requires the timing tool.

[trk06]

i hate those cheap crap bolts bmw used on n52. i already changed the valve cover gasket due to broken bolts, now the same problem on the oil pan bolts happening

[humbertob]

Well, today my set of bolts arrived on time and just replaced the broken bolt with an OEM one with complete success, the oil leak is gone and everything seems to be back to normal, I expect this solution to be permanent, and not to see a broken bolt again in a long time. Thanks a lot to all for your help !

[iBoost]

Glad it wasn't much of a pain for you. Did you find the correct torque values for those bolts? Might be helpful if you post it in here, in case someone in need runs into this thread

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by longnvu

i replaced all 3 of mine its pretty easy. I'm sure you have broken bolts under the valve cover, which requires the timing tool.

I found a broken bolt EXACTLY like in the pic. Took it to get repaired and they found several more under the valve cover broken. Check it!!!

[longnvu]

yeah i would check the bolts under the valve cover

[DouggyB]

These bolts are aluminum. They are one time use because they are torque to yield bolts. I personally think this is a mistake on BMW’s part, but they did it for a reason. Steel bolts CANNOT be used with the magnesium block! Contact corrosion will most likely occur quickly & spread rapidly. Also, coolant should not be allowed to sit in any magnesium holes. Most of the times the part of the bolt that is broken off in the block or head can be spun out with a sharp pick. Please pay attention to joining torque & torque angle.

[Titanium3Series]

how common is this issue...

[longnvu]

Pretty common, I'm sure most people don't know till they start leaking

[Casca]

P/N for the bolts and how many to replace all? On a trip and only have my phone for internet....