I just pulled the head off of my M52, because it was getting some coolant in cylinder 4. The head was cracked, totally my fault for overheating the engine. Anyway, while I was coming apart, I noticed that the two small head bolts that go into the timing cover were *almost* hand loose. They were not tight at all, which I now figure is why I had an oil leak from my timing cover, because it is not common for those to leak.
CES recommends pulling the valvecover and retorquing the head after heat cycling the engine. When I did this I did not retighten those bolts in the front, probably because I figured it wasn't going to be an issue. But it was, and I should have. The copper spacer crushed down quite a bit over time, especially where the cut rings were, but I imagine the whole thing did due to being a soft metal heating and cooling under the head. Or perhaps it was just the first few heat cycles. Either way, it was enough that those bolts were loose as hell and causing an oil leak.
The other thing I noticed was just how good the seal of the gasket was, and how good the condition of it is now that it is back out. I ran it for 25k, and the actual gasket looks brand new. I honestly think I could throw it back together and it would seal. It is that good. Amazing gasket, and I can't say that enough. I will continue to use them.
The last thought I had is that if the copper spacer is crushing down quite a bit, it is raising the compression. Not enough to make a major difference I don't think, but still, that is a thing that is happening.
Good to know, I just threw that combo in my M50, yet to fire it up for the first time but I'll certainly re-torque those timing cover bolts now too once I pull the valve cover.
Ive actually never used those timing cover bolts, just some silicone on the front.
Retorque is important.
Is there any point in re-torquing after a few thousand miles or is it too late? I'm afraid I did not re-torque.
Im pribably 2-3k in on my most recent build, cutring with arp's every nut took half a turn, they moved with 65ftlbs
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DIY BMW Tools. Charlie For President
Thanks guys! ill check em out.
Do you need a special socket to get to the head nuts with the cams in?
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96 328i ITR Racecar
95 M3 blk/blk - hillclimb project - http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1798796 - Retired to street duty after two awesome seasons!
2002 325XiT - daily
Some sockets are a tight fit.
this one has a thin enough wall it just fits.
They make a 12 point impact that looks similar. (but I have no experience with the black impact version. )
Screenshot_20220807-230049.jpg
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