Chrome nuts on engine cover...broke

[Btturbo]

So, I take delivery of my M3 about 3 weeks ago. Immediately I take to get the inspection done in Texas so the dealer in VA can complete my registration. Anyhow, I take to a reputable looking inspection/oil change company.

This punk looking kid is doing the inspections and I don't like that, but go with it. He completes the car ahead of mine and then pulls mine in, pops the hood and gets to work. 5 min in he has to stop and help jump start the previous car he worked on, battery dead (07 Tahoe), anyway that takes 20 mins...... He finally gets back to mine and I can see him working, hood up, but my point of view is from the rear of the car. 30-40 mins later he is done. Get my paperwork and drvie off.

Two days later, showing car off to buddies and someone points out the chrome nuts under the hood look "loose" and on inspection they are just rubber cemented in. Literally just pull them out with your fingers.

WTF.........so I didn't notice before taking to the inspection place, but he very well might have busted them off and then tried to hide it. But it is possible the were already like that, either way, I am mainly concerned with are they functional in any way?

Here is a pick pulled off web, two chrome nuts on top of engine cover is my concern, any insight would be great!

[Btturbo]

What am I thinking.....its obvious!

Broke chrome nuts=sell car!

[paulbrenneman]

As you should be too, im sure the mechanic was more concerned with the more vital components of the car... congrats on your new ride

[crunchy_frog]

I also lost one of those chrome nuts on the intake manifold. BMW doesn't sell replacement nuts and you have to buy the whole manifold for just the missing nut-which i declined

I'm not even sure when it was lost or how. Just open the hood one day and its gone. At least its cosmetic and nothing vital

[TTSam]

Originally Posted by Btturbo

So, I take delivery of my M3 about 3 weeks ago. Immediately I take to get the inspection done in Texas so the dealer in VA can complete my registration. Anyhow, I take to a reputable looking inspection/oil change company.

This punk looking kid is doing the inspections and I don't like that, but go with it. He completes the car ahead of mine and then pulls mine in, pops the hood and gets to work. 5 min in he has to stop and help jump start the previous car he worked on, battery dead (07 Tahoe), anyway that takes 20 mins...... He finally gets back to mine and I can see him working, hood up, but my point of view is from the rear of the car. 30-40 mins later he is done. Get my paperwork and drvie off.

Two days later, showing car off to buddies and someone points out the chrome nuts under the hood look "loose" and on inspection they are just rubber cemented in. Literally just pull them out with your fingers.

WTF.........so I didn't notice before taking to the inspection place, but he very well might have busted them off and then tried to hide it. But it is possible the were already like that, either way, I am mainly concerned with are they functional in any way?

Here is a pick pulled off web, two chrome nuts on top of engine cover is my concern, any insight would be great!

This happened to me as well - in my case one of the nuts was just sitting on the cover loose one day when I was inspecting the engine bay. The nuts are only decorative. Someone who doesn't know better probably tried to wrench them off to lift the cover and they just snapped off.

In my case dealer replace the whole assembly ($1400 they told me) under warranty.

[Thik]

That nut holds the engine in place. Without it, when you rev past 6,000 rpm, the engine will fly out of engine bay.

[MTM]

TTSam is correct...the nuts are only decorative.

One of mine broke off (2009 E92) and the dealer here in north Houston sold me a replacement for around $20 or so (do not remember the exact price). I did not have to purchase the entire plenum replacement.

[thekurgan]

What part of the inspection requires R&R of the plenum?

[Btturbo]

Originally Posted by MTM

TTSam is correct...the nuts are only decorative.

One of mine broke off (2009 E92) and the dealer here in north Houston sold me a replacement for around $20 or so (do not remember the exact price). I did not have to purchase the entire plenum replacement.

That sounds good, hopefully my dealer will do the same. Was hoping to hear you could just get those, didnt want my dealer trying to screw me outta $1400 for the whole thing as I didnt thing it would be warrantied.

Were they easy to replace, mine looks as thought the "stem" is broke off in the plenum housing and would be a pain in the a$$ to get out.

Thanks all who replied, just the info I was needing!

[MTM]

Since you live in Texas, come on down towards Houston if you have to replace the whole thing....I'll replace both of the nuts for $1399.

[Transfer]

Bump! My new to me 2012 E92 has this issue. I noticed one of the "nuts" was loose and sure enough it pulled right out. The other side was on it's way to broken off as well. So these are strictly cosmetic? Under the bolts is some rubber goo sealant and what looks like a rivet or something. I think I'm just going to gorilla glue these back on unless there is some function I'm missing.

[crypticc]

Cosmetic. Glue away!

[dparm]

Probably there to hide some of the molding marks from when they make those plenum covers. I always thought they looked stupid.

[BOOF-M3]

I remember reading that a member was so upset that his cosmetic screws had busted off (by his own hands) that he bought a brand new plenum. Must be nice having that kind of money.

[330ciprem]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

I remember reading that a member was so upset that his cosmetic screws had busted off (by his own hands) that he bought a bran new plenum. Must be nice having that kind of money.

Dayummmmmmm

[doogee]

Everyone wants to buy new manifolds but here is the part number for the nut:

11121401517

[LVI]

Originally Posted by doogee

Everyone wants to buy new manifolds but here is the part number for the nut:

11121401517

i was just going to say those are probably the same as the ones used on the e39 M5 and S54 cars. beat me to it!

[Transfer]

Thanks all. I have both nuts so will do the glue thing.

[330ciprem]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Thanks all. I have both nuts so will do the glue thing.

I am not sure you are supposed to glue your nuts.

[Banana Hammock]

Since your nuts are accessible and in your hands. You should probably polish your nuts before gluing them.

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

I remember reading that a member was so upset that his cosmetic screws had busted off (by his own hands) that he bought a brand new plenum. Must be nice having that kind of money.

They’re not just cosmetic tho. There was a post where a guy was missing those and had some oily substance around that spot and if you look inside I think it’s the drivers side there’s an open ended connection that the plenum drops onto and it’s oily inside

[330ciprem]

Originally Posted by EJT86

They’re not just cosmetic tho. There was a post where a guy was missing those and had some oily substance around that spot

Oily substance around the nuts? hmmmmm.....