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DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Sean_318is on August 14, 2009, 06:31:00 AM

Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: Sean_318is on August 14, 2009, 06:31:00 AM: Hi, I'm going to change my cam cover gasket as it's leaking over my exhaust :(

Can anyone tell me what the bolt torque is?

Thanks

Sean
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: ak96ss on August 14, 2009, 08:11:39 AM: Like 8-10 in-lbs. Inch-pounds, not foot-pounds.
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: Sean_318is on August 14, 2009, 11:17:13 AM: So just a few turns then really. Thanks, just bought a gasket kit for the weekend fun :)
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: 3bvert on August 14, 2009, 11:50:28 AM: carefull they may strip easy
I have not , but the po stripped three, two in the front and one on the intake side, but hen he was a hack and should have his fingers zip tied together, can not believe the stuff he did

other then that luckily for me new gasket does not leak
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: romeomike on August 14, 2009, 12:00:32 PM: Quote from: Sean_318is;76843
Hi, I'm going to change my cam cover gasket as it's leaking over my exhaust :(

Can anyone tell me what the bolt torque is?

Thanks

Sean

The Chilton manual states 8-10 Nm or 6-7 ft. lbs for the valve cover bolts. I had one stripped bolt, but finally came across an M42 in a salvage yard, pulled some spares and corrected that problem.
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: carl6405 on August 14, 2009, 01:53:37 PM: Being that the point of stripped threads was brought up, any suggestions on how to remedy that? I have 2 stripped, that wont tighten. I was thinking that it was the cam cover threads that was stripped, not the bolts. Any suggestions? Thanks
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: romeomike on August 14, 2009, 03:19:26 PM: Quote from: carl6405;76860
Being that the point of stripped threads was brought up, any suggestions on how to remedy that? I have 2 stripped, that wont tighten. I was thinking that it was the cam cover threads that was stripped, not the bolts. Any suggestions? Thanks

The way I figured out it was the bolt was it wouldn't tighten when placed in threaded holes I knew were good (as in the other bolts worked just fine).

Otherwise, you'll be researching on installing products such as helicoils or timeserts. The gist of the procedure is to drill out the existing threads and press in a new threaded sleeve, then install the original bolt.

Youtube.com has quite a few clips on the procedure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvmL0pEphQI

Since the bolt is an odd shape, the usual strategy of cutting new threads and installing an oversize bolt won't work in my opinion.
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: P. Kennedy on August 14, 2009, 03:27:53 PM: There is an extensive write up in the DIY section on this forum.
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: ak96ss on August 14, 2009, 09:17:10 PM: I had to helicoil 8 of my cam cover bolt holes, and the process, although nerve-wracking since the head was in place on the engine, worked well. The PO apparently subscribed to the 'more-torque-is-better' school of mechanics. I think I used my torque wrench on the first bolt, then just snugged the rest up with a wrench. It really isn't much torque at all.
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: crxguy89 on February 22, 2010, 10:37:02 PM: New to BMW's maybe, I am over thinking it, but I am changing the gasket and am having a heck of a time getting the new grommets on the bolts. help please
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: ecalder on February 22, 2010, 11:39:38 PM: CRX I'm fairly new too and I bought all new grommets but couldn't even take the old ones off of the old bolts unless I was going to cut them off. I just re-used all of the bolts with their existing grommets. I was worried because they didn't look as fresh as the new ones but no more oil leak so I was happy. I guess I'd be interested in how to change them out, I thought maybe you just needed to buy the entire assembly? Anyone need 15 grommets for something?
Title: Cam cover torque
Post by: 4banger on February 23, 2010, 12:54:29 AM: hand tite with a nut driver then go 90 degrees more. helicoiling bosses in heads are no fun while its on the car.