Slonik Vanos Hub Covers replacement

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Audioslave686

Well, when I removed 7yo ones, I understood why they needed to be replaced.
The rubber washers were all f'ed. and you cannot get them separately.

But if the bolts are pretty much new, there shouldn't be any concerns.

And mine are 10y+ so guess I'll prep with bolts too then....thanks.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by drwankel

The reason for a one time use bolt like that is because it stretches (intentionally) during the initial torquing procedure. Same deal with the OEM rod bearing shell bolts.

Rod bolt is 60nm, this is 10nm but still M6. No way they will stretch. But starting to accept the grommit will be crushed, and BMW (obviously) don't sell them separately...

[e92zero]

I think drwankel meant the vano bolts. Those are 80 Nm with 270 degree rotation (2x) so not sure it's a good idea to reuse those.

[drwankel]

Yes, that is what I was referring to.

[drwankel]

So I'm re-reading which bolts you were talking about, and you are talking about the valve cover bolts, right? Those bolts are aluminum, and they do stretch even at 10NM. They had to use an aluminum bolt due to the valvecover being made of magnesium.

[Ajolives]

Originally Posted by SalimM3

The Slon solution looks great, but it sucks that i just did my valve cover gaskets and new bolt set 6 months ago 500 miles. Will i have to replace the valve cover bolts again?

I did mine in august and I'm not concerned

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by drwankel

So I'm re-reading which bolts you were talking about, and you are talking about the valve cover bolts, right? Those bolts are aluminum, and they do stretch even at 10NM. They had to use an aluminum bolt due to the valvecover being made of magnesium.

Got it mate, my bad, okay so looks I need to buy bolts at friggin $10 each. Ah well, still well below my initial $5k+ budget while I thought complete vanos had to be replaced.

If I get away with Slonik covers its a like $1800 project (incl valve bolts..). Tighty sum but if it stops there, this M3 of mine has still been a very low cost car over first 8 years of ownership. Not to mention The Best.

[E90Anthony]

First off, read that the slonik solution not only isn't available for a group buy, but also is going for $450, pretty pricey but of course beats paying for an engine rebuild, so I guess ill be biting the bullet on that one *sigh* 😅

Second, I have seen a few people mention in this tread already that the valve cover bolts/grommets are exclusively sold together, and that it isn't possible to purchase the grommets separately. Now I'll be the first to admit that I haven't spent enough time researching this, but from what I've seen on FCPEuro, when searching for parts for my car specifically, these grommets are available, separately, for $1.29 a piece. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these the ones everyone is saying aren't available separately? If these are correct, hopefully this helps those who are simply looking for these grommets on their own, and not with the bolts as well. 👍🏽

[Audioslave686]

Originally Posted by E90Anthony

Attachment 2720444

First off, read that the slonik solution not only isn't available for a group buy, but also is going for $450, pretty pricey but of course beats paying for an engine rebuild, so I guess ill be biting the bullet on that one *sigh* 😅

Second, I have seen a few people mention in this tread already that the valve cover bolts/grommets are exclusively sold together, and that it isn't possible to purchase the grommets separately. Now I'll be the first to admit that I haven't spent enough time researching this, but from what I've seen on FCPEuro, when searching for parts for my car specifically, these grommets are available, separately, for $1.29 a piece. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these the ones everyone is saying aren't available separately? If these are correct, hopefully this helps those who are simply looking for these grommets on their own, and not with the bolts as well. 👍🏽

Hm. How wrong I was…
That's the correct part. In that case the bolts can definitely be reused.

No way these bolts would stretch from 6mn torque. That torque won't be enough to squeeze the grommet too much..

[Audioslave686]

Originally Posted by e92zero

I think drwankel meant the vano bolts. Those are 80 Nm with 270 degree rotation (2x) so not sure it's a good idea to reuse those.

I checked the service manual for vanos bolts spec.
It's 20nm + 80nm + 200 degrees.

And yeah, twice, if you're retiming the engine

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by E90Anthony

Attachment 2720444

First off, read that the slonik solution not only isn't available for a group buy, but also is going for $450, pretty pricey but of course beats paying for an engine rebuild, so I guess ill be biting the bullet on that one *sigh* 😅

Second, I have seen a few people mention in this tread already that the valve cover bolts/grommets are exclusively sold together, and that it isn't possible to purchase the grommets separately. Now I'll be the first to admit that I haven't spent enough time researching this, but from what I've seen on FCPEuro, when searching for parts for my car specifically, these grommets are available, separately, for $1.29 a piece. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these the ones everyone is saying aren't available separately? If these are correct, hopefully this helps those who are simply looking for these grommets on their own, and not with the bolts as well. 👍🏽

You have a part no on that grommet mate?

[drwankel]

One thing to consider is if you order new valve covers entirely, they come with new gaskets and all new bolts, also new oil seperators. Replacing the gasket is a gamble because the valvecover coating can chip and flake away, and I've heard the valvecovers can warp too.

I'm on attempt 3 with my valvecovers, bit the bullet and just bought all new valve covers this time. Still had seeping after the previous two attempts.

[chutak]

That valve cover grommet mentioned above is for the plastic cover that sits over the coils, not the actual valve cover that protects the valve train. Compare with the attached image and you can see they're not the same.

[E90Anthony]

Originally Posted by Audioslave686

Hm. How wrong I was…
That's the correct part. In that case the bolts can definitely be reused.

No way these bolts would stretch from 6mn torque. That torque won't be enough to squeeze the grommet too much..

After doing a little (actual) research, I've realized that unfortunately I was mistaken, chutak was correct in saying that these grommets are for the plastic ignition covers that attach to the valve covers. This photo I found on google shows it pretty clearly.

Sorry to those of you who had thought that we could in fact purchase these separate, I guess for now we're still stuck having to buy both the bolts/grommets together 😔

[Audioslave686]

Originally Posted by E90Anthony

After doing a little (actual) research, I've realized that unfortunately I was mistaken, [COLOR="Sienna"]chutak[/COLOR] was correct in saying that these grommets are for the plastic ignition covers that attach to the valve covers. This photo I found on google shows it pretty clearly.

Sorry to those of you who had thought that we could in fact purchase these separate, I guess for now we're still stuck having to buy both the bolts/grommets together 😔Attachment 2720593

Yup, too good to be true

[PYE46M3]

has anyone contacted Slonik for a GB on these?

[Redd]

Slonik told me that the retail price of these will be $600 but the first five sets will be sold at early bird price of $450. Based on what I know, there seems to be more than 5 sets sold already at $450. If you can still get this price I'd suggest you place an order. Who knows if a GB will ever get going.

[e92zero]

I got the same message from Slonik regarding the pricing and just paid for a set. I am guessing he is doing more than 5 sets?

[tbuck]

Originally Posted by drwankel

The reason for a one time use bolt like that is because it stretches (intentionally) during the initial torquing procedure. Same deal with the OEM rod bearing shell bolts.

That is totally true, certainly of many bolts, although not all are due to torque-to-yield. Some are due to there having encapsulated Loctite on them and other similar reason. The VANOS are clearly using a stretch type bolt. The valve cover bolts, however, are M6 bolts and as such are certainly not torque-to-yield and if stretched would undoubtedly snap. Also, they have a shoulder that seats fully on the head surface and therefore there is nothing to stretch. The one-time-use part of these is the rubber seal, which will likely not seal at all when being removed after years of heat cycles. If removed after only a short time they will be fine and will reseal properly.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by tbuck

That is totally true, certainly of many bolts, although not all are due to torque-to-yield. Some are due to there having encapsulated Loctite on them and other similar reason. The VANOS are clearly using a stretch type bolt. The valve cover bolts, however, are M6 bolts and as such are certainly not torque-to-yield and if stretched would undoubtedly snap. Also, they have a shoulder that seats fully on the head surface and therefore there is nothing to stretch. The one-time-use part of these is the rubber seal, which will likely not seal at all when being removed after years of heat cycles. If removed after only a short time they will be fine and will reseal properly.

Totally convinced by now, thanks. Trying to order I checked realoem who state 24 in total is needed. Howevet looking at the drawing it seems to be 13 holes per valve cover e.g. 26 in total. What am I missing here?

Edit: just realized there are 12 normal size (11127841217) and one long (11127841218).

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by e92zero

I got the same message from Slonik regarding the pricing and just paid for a set. I am guessing he is doing more than 5 sets?

I'm sure we'll be able to buy as many as we need

[MaximusB]

Looks like price is now at $600usd.