Vcg bolts?

E90joee · 10-08-2015, 05:17 PM

Have a vcg leak,oil residue and gunk along side the engine...i already purchased the gasketand im aware i need to change the aluminum bolts but i keep seing different part numbers for it can someon confirm for me please

slimxb8 · 10-08-2015, 10:24 PM

Do yours have blue on them? Mine didnt and even the dealer said I didnt need them.

hassmaschine · 10-09-2015, 07:29 AM

don't 328's have plastic valve covers? the head is aluminum, so the bolts could be steel.

E90joee · 10-09-2015, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimxb8

Do yours have blue on them? Mine didnt and even the dealer said I didnt need them.

I didnt take it apart yet so i wouldnt know...i seen diys and they said you have too

:

E90joee · 10-09-2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

don't 328's have plastic valve covers? the head is aluminum, so the bolts could be steel.

I thought only the n54 have steel bolts?

Delta0311 · 10-09-2015, 08:17 AM

The bolts on the 328 are one time use.. Get new bolts.

hassmaschine · 10-09-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90joee

I thought only the n54 have steel bolts?

aluminum bolts are for 2 things - to prevent galvanic corrosion on magnesium parts, and for reduced weight.

on the 328 they switched to a plastic valve cover, and the head is aluminum, so corrosion isn't an issue. BMW switched several of the bolts to steel - there's no reason an N52 with a plastic valve cover would require aluminum valve cover bolts.

Whether BMW still used them or not is the question - the OP will have to check the bolts that are there to know. It would be simple to check with a magnet..

E90joee · 10-28-2015, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

don't 328's have plastic valve covers? the head is aluminum, so the bolts could be steel.

I thought only the n54 have steel bolts?

fravel · 10-28-2015, 12:07 PM

Not only N54.

Go pull the beauty cover off your engine and look at the heads of the VCG bolts. If they have blue paint on them they are Al and one-time use. If not, then stick a magnet on the head of the bolt to confirm that they are steel. If the magnet sticks then you don't need new bolts.

SDemetris · 10-28-2015, 01:37 PM

2006 had a magnesium valve cover with blue aluminum bolts that you would need to replace. After that, it was a plastic valve cover with reusable steel bolts.

Three_thirty_I · 10-28-2015, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDemetris

2006 had a magnesium valve cover with blue aluminum bolts that you would need to replace. After that, it was a plastic valve cover with reusable steel bolts.

Mine has this valve cover and of course has the blue painted aluminium bolts.

10-08-2015, 05:17 PM	#1
E90joee Captain 147 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: queens, ny iTrader: (0)	Vcg bolts? Have a vcg leak,oil residue and gunk along side the engine...i already purchased the gasketand im aware i need to change the aluminum bolts but i keep seing different part numbers for it can someon confirm for me please
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10-08-2015, 10:24 PM	#2
slimxb8 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i [0.00]	Do yours have blue on them? Mine didnt and even the dealer said I didnt need them.
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10-09-2015, 07:29 AM	#3
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	don't 328's have plastic valve covers? the head is aluminum, so the bolts could be steel.
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10-09-2015, 08:17 AM	#6
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	The bolts on the 328 are one time use.. Get new bolts.
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10-28-2015, 12:07 PM	#9
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Not only N54. Go pull the beauty cover off your engine and look at the heads of the VCG bolts. If they have blue paint on them they are Al and one-time use. If not, then stick a magnet on the head of the bolt to confirm that they are steel. If the magnet sticks then you don't need new bolts. __________________
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10-28-2015, 01:37 PM	#10
SDemetris FSAE Dude 62 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	2006 had a magnesium valve cover with blue aluminum bolts that you would need to replace. After that, it was a plastic valve cover with reusable steel bolts. __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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