How to fix a broken Vanos torx bolt - left hand thread

MindFK · 03-16-2011, 06:01 PM

I broke the inside - 'left hand thread' bolts while removing the vanos - how do i extract them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvx5832

No. You'll be fine. Use a pick tool or similar to get what's left out. With the head broken, there will be nothing holding it in. It's even submerged in oil for you.

Rotate it slowly and gently using a pick and you'll be fine.

Paolo

BOLT PART NUMBER: 11361748745 - THEY GO FOR $1 - WHEN REPLACING VANOS SEALS - GET TWO - JUST IN CASE - THEY BREAK REAAAALY EASILY

smoke96 · 03-16-2011, 06:13 PM

looks theyre gonna have to be drilled out.

josephmech · 03-16-2011, 06:14 PM

um cant quite see clearly in the picture can u circle the bolt in question

cvx5832 · 03-16-2011, 06:16 PM

No. You'll be fine. Use a pick tool or similar to get what's left out. With the head broken, there will be nothing holding it in. It's even submerged in oil for you.

Rotate it slowly and gently using a pick and you'll be fine.

Paolo

MindFK · 03-16-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvx5832

No. You'll be fine. Use a pick tool or similar to get what's left out. With the head broken, there will be nothing holding it in. It's even submerged in oil for you.

Rotate it slowly and gently using a pick and you'll be fine.

Paolo

NOICE THANKS MUCH...didint even think they might be so loose.

MindFK · 03-16-2011, 11:32 PM

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. I would be stuck on that broken bolt for at least few hours. THANK YOU FANATICS!

Below you might see few pictures of my cams, I have 87k miles on my engine, no sludge or anything like that. Wear on the cams is really minimal..

m1356guy · 03-17-2011, 12:52 AM

how easy (relative) was the whole vanos procedure? I've had mix reviews, some say its a nightmare and dont recommend doing it while i see it as fairly straight forward...

thanks...car looks great btw

TxZHP04 · 03-17-2011, 08:09 AM

It's not a 10 minute oil change but there's really nothing difficult about it.

paraklas · 03-17-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1356guy

how easy (relative) was the whole vanos procedure? I've had mix reviews, some say its a nightmare and dont recommend doing it while i see it as fairly straight forward...

thanks...car looks great btw

You just need to take the time to do it, get the correct tools, read a couple of times the instructions at beisan and you are good to go.

Before initiating the VANOS seals on my car, I purchased the valve cover gasket, 6 spark plug hole gaskets, high-temp gasket sealant, the 2 bolts that the OP broke, new vanos gasket and oil cleaner, to clean the mating surface of valve cover and engine head

MindFK · 03-17-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1356guy

how easy (relative) was the whole vanos procedure? I've had mix reviews, some say its a nightmare and dont recommend doing it while i see it as fairly straight forward...

thanks...car looks great btw

Quote:

Originally Posted by paraklas

You just need to take the time to do it, get the correct tools, read a couple of times the instructions at beisan and you are good to go.

Before initiating the VANOS seals on my car, I purchased the valve cover gasket, 6 spark plug hole gaskets, high-temp gasket sealant, the 2 bolts that the OP broke, new vanos gasket and oil cleaner, to clean the mating surface of valve cover and engine head

I prepared all my tools in advance, all the tools are mentioned in the manual. It took me 5 hours from start (first bolt removed) to finish last bolt - for cabin air filter), I had few smoke breaks and something to eat too. I took my time, had all my tools sorted. Everything was torqued to specs with torque wrench.

For the job I bought:
-valve cover gasket $35
-beisan vanos seals $65
-seals for valve cover bolts $11
-bolts for vanos $2
-washers for vanos oil line $1
-vanos bottom cover gasket - the metal one $7
-brake cleaner $7
-ultra copper silicone $7

I think that is it. Total cost of about $135. Not bad considering dr.vanos is like 400 bucks, and local mechanic wanted 300 for valve cover gasket alone...

03-16-2011, 06:13 PM	#2
smoke96 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: jersey city nj Posts: 649 My Ride: 2004 325ci View My Garage	looks theyre gonna have to be drilled out. __________________ [QUOTE=Back2Basics;11538236]So you're gonna have your food delivered to you while you sit at your computer screen on the 112th floor responding to questions about dildo's and sex lube's while strangers fill your bank account to acquire the tools needed for their sick, guilty pleasures? That's pretty ****ing legit man.

03-16-2011, 06:16 PM	#4
cvx5832 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 1,040 My Ride: 325Ci, 325Cic, C300 View My Garage	No. You'll be fine. Use a pick tool or similar to get what's left out. With the head broken, there will be nothing holding it in. It's even submerged in oil for you. Rotate it slowly and gently using a pick and you'll be fine. Paolo __________________

03-16-2011, 11:32 PM	#6
MindFK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 238 My Ride: 330Ci View My Garage	I want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. I would be stuck on that broken bolt for at least few hours. THANK YOU FANATICS! Below you might see few pictures of my cams, I have 87k miles on my engine, no sludge or anything like that. Wear on the cams is really minimal.. Attached Thumbnails __________________

03-17-2011, 12:52 AM	#7
m1356guy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,335 My Ride: runs over azn women View My Garage	how easy (relative) was the whole vanos procedure? I've had mix reviews, some say its a nightmare and dont recommend doing it while i see it as fairly straight forward... thanks...car looks great btw __________________

03-17-2011, 08:09 AM	#8
TxZHP04 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 5,731 My Ride: ESS TS2+ ZHP View My Garage	It's not a 10 minute oil change but there's really nothing difficult about it. __________________ 04 IR 330i ZHP \| ESS TS2+ SC \| MagnaFlow "headers" \| KMS 3.64 LSD \| AST 4100 550/650\| APEX ARC-8 18x9 \| H&R front sway bar \| Vorshlag camber plates, RTAB limiters \| TMS subframe & swaybar reinforcements \| UUC SSK & DSSR \| UUC TM & TME \| BW motor mounts \| Dinan strut & shock tower bars \| vaio 4-bolt oil pump

03-16-2011, 06:14 PM	#3
josephmech Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 297 My Ride: 2001 325i sedan 5m View My Garage	um cant quite see clearly in the picture can u circle the bolt in question

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