Warning:Don't overtighten front valve cover bolts

[mousitch]

Doh! Learned the hard way. Tightened to much and "pop" she broke off. Had to grind down a 10mm socket to get the Valve cover/cylinder head stud out. I was just removing the engine cover to snug up some 02 lines that were too close to the header. The front cap of the engine cover came out with the bolt to the valve cover. Got it loose from the cap and went to tighten it down .Whamo. I need a smaller torque wrench as mine does not go down to 15nm.

[O-cha]

This is pretty common, it's where the learned skill of bolt tightening comes in. Also do not use a torque wrench on the lower end of its range IE a 10-100 ft# torque wrench should not be used under 20 ft#, I wouldn't trust it under 30.

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by O-cha

This is pretty common, it's where the learned skill of bolt tightening comes in. Also do not use a torque wrench on the lower end of its range IE a 10-100 ft# torque wrench should not be used under 20 ft#, I wouldn't trust it under 30.

Yes. This has been a weekend of learning. I assume BMW make a real thin wall socket(special tool) that goes down into the void in the valve cover? On another note. Im glad BMW puts some thermal protection on the O2 sensor wires. Ive had been driving it all morning to try and get the CEL to come on. Opened the hood to make sure nothing had worked loose from yesterday and noticed two of the wires resting on the header. Turned it a bit white but not enough to burn through. No CEL light either after 100+ miles. Thought that was weird. It is running great other than a few "burps" in the idle when shes getting up to temp in the first few miles.