Help with VC Gasket

billmo · 07-30-2022, 10:00 AM

New to forum and BMW. Purchased a 2007 328i to use as second vehicle. 65k miles. Had small oil leak so first project is to replace valve cover gasket. Removal was good except snapped one ground fastener. Have tried PB Blaster, Vice grips, stud removal tool but won't budge. Plan to use some heat next. Any other thoughts?

Glene · 07-30-2022, 11:58 AM

Use good vice grip pliers. if can't get it out, this bolt extractor saved me few times...
https://www.autozone.com/tools-and-e...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

billmo · 07-30-2022, 01:12 PM

Thanks. Same one I just purchased. Still won't budge but haven't put some real muscle into it! :-)

tlow98 · 07-30-2022, 01:54 PM

Slot it with a dremmel then hit it with and impact screwdriver.

StradaRedlands · 07-30-2022, 02:11 PM

Wonder why it is so frozen in place... not something I've read about happening much.
Sorry you hit that jackpot...

tlow98 · 07-30-2022, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Wonder why it is so frozen in place... not something I've read about happening much.
Sorry you hit that jackpot...

Back of the head under the air intake … maybe some water leaks and corrosion?

billmo · 07-31-2022, 08:14 AM

Will try the Dremel. Not sure why water would be there. Definitely a concern. Thanks.

marvinstockman · 07-31-2022, 02:52 PM

Maybe I'm not understanding, but have you tried repositioning the 'ground'? Note, you can extend the wire to go wherever you want to go.

PhaseP · 07-31-2022, 03:53 PM

In my experience PB Bluster and similar works well on steel to steel but not so good for steel fastener in aluminum. I don't know anything good for that except heat and working it back and forth with patience.

billmo · 08-01-2022, 08:15 AM

Marvinstockman: Ground is one of the 3 interior fasteners to secure the valve cover. Has another ground fastener so am guessing that it's maybe 3 and 3 for the ignition coils.

PhaseP: Same experience with PB Blaster. Not much help here. I think patience will be the key.

Mike K · 08-01-2022, 08:18 AM

How about threading the stub with a die, and then using the two nut trick to back it out of there with a bit of heat?

billmo · 08-02-2022, 11:23 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess patience was not one of my choices. Snapped again with the stud extractor. Showing new part vs two pieces from the old part. Looks like still about 1/2" still in there. Will need to get out the drill. Sigh!

07-30-2022, 10:00 AM	#1
billmo Bill Mo 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: bmw 2007 328i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Help with VC Gasket New to forum and BMW. Purchased a 2007 328i to use as second vehicle. 65k miles. Had small oil leak so first project is to replace valve cover gasket. Removal was good except snapped one ground fastener. Have tried PB Blaster, Vice grips, stud removal tool but won't budge. Plan to use some heat next. Any other thoughts? Attached Images
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07-30-2022, 11:58 AM	#2
Glene First Lieutenant 64 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Use good vice grip pliers. if can't get it out, this bolt extractor saved me few times... https://www.autozone.com/tools-and-e...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands5013.50 Quote

07-30-2022, 01:12 PM	#3
billmo Bill Mo 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: bmw 2007 328i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Thanks. Same one I just purchased. Still won't budge but haven't put some real muscle into it! :-)
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07-30-2022, 01:54 PM	#4
tlow98 Major General 2194 Rep 5,022 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Slot it with a dremmel then hit it with and impact screwdriver.
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07-30-2022, 02:11 PM	#5
StradaRedlands Brigadier General 5014 Rep 3,063 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.21] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [7.90] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.63] 2011 BMW 528i [8.75] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	Wonder why it is so frozen in place... not something I've read about happening much. Sorry you hit that jackpot...
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07-31-2022, 08:14 AM	#7
billmo Bill Mo 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: bmw 2007 328i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Will try the Dremel. Not sure why water would be there. Definitely a concern. Thanks.
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07-31-2022, 02:52 PM	#8
marvinstockman Major 400 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Maybe I'm not understanding, but have you tried repositioning the 'ground'? Note, you can extend the wire to go wherever you want to go.
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07-31-2022, 03:53 PM	#9
PhaseP Colonel 1009 Rep 2,109 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	In my experience PB Bluster and similar works well on steel to steel but not so good for steel fastener in aluminum. I don't know anything good for that except heat and working it back and forth with patience.
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08-01-2022, 08:15 AM	#10
billmo Bill Mo 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: bmw 2007 328i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Marvinstockman: Ground is one of the 3 interior fasteners to secure the valve cover. Has another ground fastener so am guessing that it's maybe 3 and 3 for the ignition coils. PhaseP: Same experience with PB Blaster. Not much help here. I think patience will be the key.
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08-01-2022, 08:18 AM	#11
Mike K Lieutenant 332 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 328i RWD Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Chicago Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i e91 [0.00]	How about threading the stub with a die, and then using the two nut trick to back it out of there with a bit of heat?
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08-02-2022, 11:23 AM	#12
billmo Bill Mo 6 Rep 18 Posts Drives: bmw 2007 328i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess patience was not one of my choices. Snapped again with the stud extractor. Showing new part vs two pieces from the old part. Looks like still about 1/2" still in there. Will need to get out the drill. Sigh! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote