Broken lower timing cover bolts

[Bimmerboy91]

I did some searching and couldn't find anyone with a similar problem that I am having with this s52. I've been changing the common gaskets and seals getting this thing ready to drop in to my car. While installing the new water pump I noticed both center lower timing cover bolts had some silicone. I felt them a little loose so i tried to tighten them and sure enough they are broken. They are the two center ones when standing in front of the engine near the water pump. I'm debating whether I should dive in there and see the extent of the damage or to just get the car together. The engine was running fine before I got it and there wasn't any signs of coolant mixing in the oil or oil getting into the coolant.

So, should I bother if none of the above was happening or get in there and see if I can extract them?

[ian e30 318is]

Just went through the same thing...these timing covers suck. Fix it while you have the engine out of the car instead of having to pull the engine apart again when it's in and surrounded by radiator, fan, pulleys, etc. I would use timeserts/helicoils to retap the holes.

[Bimmerboy91]

Why did you end up doing it? Just because they broke or did you have a problem as a result?

What was the difficult part of it?

Thanks for the input

[ian e30 318is]

I didn't want to deal with any issues later down the road with leaks. The bolt holes were stripped and needed to be retapped and helicoiled. I've used timeserts with good luck on the timing chain cover and the valve cover.