[evensis]

So, i've turned what should be one of the easiest DIY's on the n52 into a disaster lol.

Was replacing the vanos check valves this afternoon as part of the preventative maintenance list, had ordered some Febi Bilstein check valves as heard good things about them. Did top valve not an issue, absolutely caked in old oil and gummed up, well worth doing, old out and new in without a fuss. Lower one was a bit of a pain, no problems removing the old check valve other than having to to use a universal joint with an extension due to the angle, same applied going back on. Really didn't put much torque into it, was trying to be careful using my smallest quarter inch ratchet, as know they only need 15nm. Never felt any resistance at any stage, miffed as to how i've broken the head of it off, an incredibly clean break, either had some extra leverage there due to the elbow or something off with the part, either way, the body of the check valve is now left in the block. eek :|

Couple of pictures attached. The void in the middle of the metal of the check valve looks almost like it would take a small flat head screw driver lol. By same token, wondering if its worth a reverse drill bit on the center pillar / might get a pair of needle nose around it, or even if i could cut a larger slit on the pillar to put a good sized screw driver on that would also work. Had to put it down for now, will have to work on it next weekend so have some time to prep a plan lol.

My concern is its an oil galley and getting metal shards places they most definately shouldn't go with all these ideas lol. Does have the filter screen there but yeah. What a nightmare!

Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how I get it out? lol. It's not seized so have that going for me, just getting enough to turn it out again.

Edit: On further thought and now less irritated, I suspect JB weld will likely work with an old torx bit, leaving it to set overnight and then using that to rotate it out, surface area looks ideal for with plenty of grooves for it to grab hold of. Will report back on the coming weekend for anyone else who has this issue. Just ordered genuine valves from BMW, clearly not worth chancing aftermarket with this area.

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by evensis

My concern is its an oil galley and getting metal shards places they most definately shouldn't go with all these ideas lol. Does have the filter screen there but yeah. What a nightmare!

You're probably fine there since they will tend to fall out instead of going inside past the check valve, but yeah good idea to avoid drilling unless it's totally necessary.

Sounds like you're already set with the torx bit, hopefully that will work, but otherwise since there's basically no torque on it I wonder if you can just use a (couple of) picks to spin it out? Not a lot of room to get in there though.

Seems like it was just a defective part rather than you doing anything wrong with it.

[StradaRedlands]

JB/bit sounds brilliant, hope that works as expected!!!
Definitely looks like a defective part :-/

[evensis]

Originally Posted by kkasson

You're probably fine there since they will tend to fall out instead of going inside past the check valve, but yeah good idea to avoid drilling unless it's totally necessary.

Sounds like you're already set with the torx bit, hopefully that will work, but otherwise since there's basically no torque on it I wonder if you can just use a (couple of) picks to spin it out? Not a lot of room to get in there though.

Seems like it was just a defective part rather than you doing anything wrong with it.

Thanks for the idea, I think can probably get a pick down the inside of the check valves filter screen. Theres the oil passage in the middle of the check valve, which should be able to get an L shaped pick into, give a bit of leverage to use too. I'll give that a go before the JB, thx

Was also debating JB'ing the head of the broken check valve on as it gets up snug against the body, would be relatively straight forward to meter out enough to not spill out on the inside, and would get a better contact area than the torx bit due to the recess in the broken off head but blind compared to will be able to see what doing with the torx bit. Hmm...

[evensis]

A report of another chap just recently on FB groups and Febi Bilstein valve breaking off in the head. Same report of very little resistance before breaking off with a quarter inch ratchet.

Attached is is what you need to do to remove the broken valve. The heads at the machine shop if you were wondering....

JB Weld didnt work as oil kept running down the galley during the setting time, it's just an in general, nasty problem to have for anyone, including a professional mechanic.

My mechanic wouldn't drill it out for fear of the ball bearing in the valve dropping out and into the oil galley, so to make the job worthwhile, Laurent Motors do a decompression plate for the N52, which made sense to go with my supercharger. But for those not embarking on such a project, its a really expensive problem to have.

[Phil325i]

What spring and damper combo is that out of interest..?

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by evensis

Attached is is what you need to do to remove the broken valve. The heads at the machine shop if you were wondering...

Oh no! Wow, wouldn't expect that.

At least the decompression plate gives you a little bit of an extra reason, but yeah what a crazy turn of events. Anything else you're going to do while everything is apart?

[evensis]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

What spring and damper combo is that out of interest..?

Raceland coilovers, they are as you'd expect for the bottom end of market, no adjustability (other than ride height) and reasonably firm. But had them on 2 years, not leaking, not knocking and are fine all in all. Was the same price as a couple of rear oem coil springs (took them out in 3 pieces each side) so was a hard deal to beat especially with their lifetime warranty which they do honour.

Originally Posted by kkasson

Oh no! Wow, wouldn't expect that.

At least the decompression plate gives you a little bit of an extra reason, but yeah what a crazy turn of events. Anything else you're going to do while everything is apart?

Definately turned into a doosey, although the head off approach is certainly some risk management by the performance shop. The car was booked in previous to this mishap for the s/c install, so fell onto their laps when I dropped it down on the back of a transporter lol. Oil pan gasket and motor mounts as nice and easy to get at!

[StradaRedlands]

It's official: I am never going to touch the check valves!