BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-06-2017, 07:47 AM   #1
olds350
Needs a long road trip...
United_States
334
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

failed head bolt

My wife has an '11 328 and I have a '12 128 and both of these cars are running the N52 motor and both are almost at 90k miles. I had replaced the OFHG on her car a few months back. Doing some maintenance this weekend I found oil near the OFH. As it turns out it was a failed head bolt that's right beside the OFH. Anyone on here dealt with this issue? From the info I'm reading this seems to be a common issue.

Just curious if anyone on this 128 forum has had to deal with head bolt failure. Seems that the aluminum bolts were over torqued from the factory and causes this failure.
Appreciate 1
      11-07-2017, 08:50 AM   #2
olds350
Needs a long road trip...
United_States
334
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

So I wanted to show you what I replaced on the wife's e91. I post this info since the 1 series and the 3 series run the same N52 motor. The pics below show what I had to replace.

This is the failed bolt...



This is the replaced bolt. You have to remove the all of the parts covering the engine cover so it can be removed, the airbox and you have to slide the intake out of the way so you can get to the bolt to torque it. I have about 3 hours invested in this repair. One item of note. Make sure you clean out the bolt hole of any oil. If you don't, you'll never get to the 21ft/lb of torque plus 90d of angle torque. I snapped a new bolt in 2 because I didn't clean it out.



It's a fairly easy job, just take your time.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2017, 11:28 AM   #3
Mr Gasser
First Lieutenant
Mr Gasser's Avatar
United_States
73
Rep
341
Posts

Drives: 135i 09 M-Sport Black on Black
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Use lock tight? Is this the same bolt that seems to cause a lot of problems with other owners? I've seen two cases where the head (or engine?) had to be completely redone because of this.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2017, 12:09 PM   #4
olds350
Needs a long road trip...
United_States
334
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Gasser View Post
Use lock tight? Is this the same bolt that seems to cause a lot of problems with other owners? I've seen two cases where the head (or engine?) had to be completely redone because of this.
No, didn't use any locktite, didn't see the need considering it's torqued to the new specs. This bolt fails due to over torquing at the factory. You're right in that this seems to be the primary fail for the aluminum bolts. I've heard of the bolts under the valve cover breaking as well and generally falling into the oil pan. Someone posted on a local forum that a bolt head fell into the timing chain and trashed the motor.

I took the risk not to remove the valve cover for now. Will wait until it starts to leak. From the videos I've seen, it looks to be a pain to replace that gasket with everything you have to remove.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2017, 10:36 PM   #5
ianc
Ex '87 Carrera
ianc's Avatar
United_States
246
Rep
1,259
Posts

Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Redwood Shores, California

iTrader: (0)

My wife's 06 330i had this issue about 3 weeks ago. Pissing oil all over the shop...

ianc
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2017, 05:11 AM   #6
KNS
Lieutenant
137
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 128i and Porsche
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Why does BMW spec aluminum bolts? Is there a reason they can’t be replaced with steel fasteners?

On my ‘04 325i the bolts that hold the water pump in the aluminum block are the original steel, I’ve reused them each time I’ve replaced the water pump. The bolts that hold the OFH in the aluminum block are also steel, I reused those too without issue.

Last edited by KNS; 11-08-2017 at 05:34 AM..
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2017, 06:14 AM   #7
desertman123
E82 Mudflap Ambassador
desertman123's Avatar
United_States
2212
Rep
2,219
Posts

Drives: '08 128i
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1992 Honda Beat  [9.50]
2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
2014 BMW 528i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by KNS View Post
Why does BMW spec aluminum bolts? Is there a reason they can’t be replaced with steel fasteners?

On my ‘04 325i the bolts that hold the water pump in the aluminum block are the original steel, I’ve reused them each time I’ve replaced the water pump. The bolts that hold the OFH in the aluminum block are also steel, I reused those too without issue.
I wonder if the magnesium block would galvanize (or some type of corrosion) with a steel bolt.

Can you list the P/N for this bolt? I wanna pick one up and install it when I put on the 3IM.
__________________
My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me!
Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded
Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito

Last edited by desertman123; 11-08-2017 at 07:43 AM..
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2017, 06:39 PM   #8
chris_flies
Sideways and Smiling
chris_flies's Avatar
3027
Rep
2,860
Posts

Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I think there may be a continuity here... same thing happened to me. Just found it today, along with some oil seepage:

Name:  IMG_1301.JPG
Views: 1356
Size:  277.1 KB

Name:  IMG_1302.JPG
Views: 1401
Size:  224.8 KB

Well. That happened. Car runs perfectly fine, though...

Guess what I'll be doing when I go in to do the 3-Stage Intake Manifold...
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2017, 10:55 AM   #9
olds350
Needs a long road trip...
United_States
334
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by desertman123 View Post
I wonder if the magnesium block would galvanize (or some type of corrosion) with a steel bolt.

Can you list the P/N for this bolt? I wanna pick one up and install it when I put on the 3IM.
this should be the BMW part number...

11 12 0 392 547

They were $13 at the local stealer, $11 with the BMWCCA discount. ECS and other online places have them for around $8, so I'd go mail order. This comes in a pack of 4 bolts. I used 1 and broke one, so I have one spare left.

Of note, make sure you clean out the bolt hole of ANY oil or you'll never the the torque specs and you'll snap it like I did on the first attempt.
Appreciate 1
      11-19-2017, 06:27 PM   #10
chris_flies
Sideways and Smiling
chris_flies's Avatar
3027
Rep
2,860
Posts

Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by olds350 View Post
this should be the BMW part number...

11 12 0 392 547

They were $13 at the local stealer, $11 with the BMWCCA discount. ECS and other online places have them for around $8, so I'd go mail order. This comes in a pack of 4 bolts. I used 1 and broke one, so I have one spare left.

Of note, make sure you clean out the bolt hole of ANY oil or you'll never the the torque specs and you'll snap it like I did on the first attempt.
Is it 21 foot-pounds +90 degrees, or is it 11 foot-pounds +90 degrees, maybe I'm going crazy, but I read somewhere that it was revised to 11...
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2017, 07:58 AM   #11
olds350
Needs a long road trip...
United_States
334
Rep
524
Posts

Drives: '11 e91, '13 e88, '19 golf R
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris_flies View Post
Is it 21 foot-pounds +90 degrees, or is it 11 foot-pounds +90 degrees, maybe I'm going crazy, but I read somewhere that it was revised to 11...
When I ordered the bolts from the dealer, I asked for the torque values. He told me it was 30n/m which roughly equates to 21ft/lb. After that you do the 90d angle torque.

What I didn't include is the dealer stated an additional 45d angle torque. I felt that was over kill on that bolt considering it failed on me.

I'm going to assume these are the correct/revised specs for that bolt considering they came from the dealer...
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2017, 04:55 PM   #12
chris_flies
Sideways and Smiling
chris_flies's Avatar
3027
Rep
2,860
Posts

Drives: In Exuberance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rosamond, CA USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by olds350 View Post
When I ordered the bolts from the dealer, I asked for the torque values. He told me it was 30n/m which roughly equates to 21ft/lb. After that you do the 90d angle torque.

What I didn't include is the dealer stated an additional 45d angle torque. I felt that was over kill on that bolt considering it failed on me.

I'm going to assume these are the correct/revised specs for that bolt considering they came from the dealer...
Thank you! I'd assume so, too
__________________
2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon | Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather | Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T
(SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé | Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec | chris_flies' 128i thread
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2020, 07:17 AM   #13
///Makis
Second Lieutenant
///Makis's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
277
Posts

Drives: BMW 128i
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Piscataway, NJ

iTrader: (0)

Reviving an old thread but I read yesterday it was 22nm not 30.

I have to say the 22nm when I did it last night felt very snug so I think 30nm is definitely itself overkill and going to break it.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2020, 05:26 PM   #14
krhodes1
Colonel
1413
Rep
2,519
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i Wagon
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 128i  [10.00]
2011 BMW 328i Touring  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Makis View Post
Reviving an old thread but I read yesterday it was 22nm not 30.

I have to say the 22nm when I did it last night felt very snug so I think 30nm is definitely itself overkill and going to break it.
This is a head bolt, not the OFHG bolts. VERY different torque specs!

OP was just saying he found it while doing the OFHG, because it is right behind it.
__________________

'11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option
'11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual,
also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
Appreciate 0
      11-30-2020, 08:56 PM   #15
///Makis
Second Lieutenant
///Makis's Avatar
United_States
54
Rep
277
Posts

Drives: BMW 128i
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Piscataway, NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by krhodes1 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Makis View Post
Reviving an old thread but I read yesterday it was 22nm not 30.

I have to say the 22nm when I did it last night felt very snug so I think 30nm is definitely itself overkill and going to break it.
This is a head bolt, not the OFHG bolts. VERY different torque specs!

OP was just saying he found it while doing the OFHG, because it is right behind it.
I'm an idiot. I just re-read it.

I must have skimmed through it when I was looking for info on the OFHG and just gotten fixed on that.


Thanks for the correction
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST