M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: seph429 on September 23, 2009, 02:23:21 PM

Title: Bolts not torqueing down
Post by: seph429 on September 23, 2009, 02:23:21 PM

Okay i had to replace the lower and upper oil pans, well in the process of putting the upper one back on, the bolts inside the pan wouldnt torque again. (the ones covered up by the lower oil pan)

as soon as it started to feel even slightly tight, it would just slip.

I left it there for now, i dont want to totally strip the bolts/threads.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this so i shouldnt have to worry about them falling out? and any clue why it suddenly wouldnt torque down anymore?

Title: Bolts not torqueing down
Post by: tjts1 on September 23, 2009, 03:55:55 PM

IN the future, use a torque wrench and specs. The threads are trashed.

Title: Bolts not torqueing down
Post by: 1991 E30 M42 on September 23, 2009, 04:35:03 PM

time to go get some timeserts or helicoils

Title: Bolts not torqueing down
Post by: AcSchnitzer318is on September 23, 2009, 10:34:19 PM

Yep... whenever dealing with aluminum it is a good idea to use no larger than a 3/8" drive ratchet and hold it in the middle.  That way it is almost impossible to over torque them.  Luckily all my upper pan bolts were fine, but the PO stripped 2 of the lower pan bolts, and 2 of the cam cover bolts.  Also luckily, I do not have any leaks from those points, but it still sucks.

The above is if you do not have a torque wrench.  I don't so I use the above as a rule.  If you have one... use it.