Cosmoline exorcism (update: valve cover done)

[bmwm3n528]

Howcome both E30s that i've come into possesion of never needed to have cosmoline removed? I know for sure one has never been cleaned, yet it had no cosmoline on it.

Heard somewhere that dealers would sometimes clean the cosmoline off, not sure how much truth there is to this though.

That or maybe they just repainted it silver.

[Mystikal]

So.

Guess who snapped a stud tightening the valve cover, at 7:30PM Thursday on a long weekend with Friday off?

Yep.

I was using a micrometer torque wrench, set at 11ft-lb (Bentley quoted), and snapped a stud. Luckily once I took the cover off just enough stud was still there to double up 2 nuts and get it out without drama. Went down to the store and picked up an M6 hex bolt for now, I"ll get all 8 OEM studs new from the dealer on Monday; methinks these things are getting weak.

Only I can complicate such simple jobs. Pics and stuff next week when I get rid of that single shiny bolt and clean the engine bay a bit.

[hamann318is]

You don't want to know how much I stripped when I was putting my engine back together.

[rwh11385]

You don't want to know how much I stripped when I was putting my engine back together.

what is you mom . ? tell me it was your mom. i love your mom.

[hamann318is]

You don't want to know how much I stripped when I was putting my engine back together.

what is you mom . ? tell me it was your mom. i love your mom.

More times than you want to know. Can't you read.

[rwh11385]

i can't read. i can't seeeeeeee@!

[Digitalwave]

So.

Guess who snapped a stud tightening the valve cover, at 7:30PM Thursday on a long weekend with Friday off?

Yep.

I was using a micrometer torque wrench, set at 11ft-lb (Bentley quoted), and snapped a stud. Luckily once I took the cover off just enough stud was still there to double up 2 nuts and get it out without drama. Went down to the store and picked up an M6 hex bolt for now, I"ll get all 8 OEM studs new from the dealer on Monday; methinks these things are getting weak.

Only I can complicate such simple jobs. Pics and stuff next week when I get rid of that single shiny bolt and clean the engine bay a bit.

I snapped a bolt last time I had my valve cover off as well. It broke low, and it was the upper right hand one right next to that big bracket over the cam gear. I was pissed, but got it out a few hours later.

[nando]

how do you break a bolt on a valve cover? :rofl:

finger tight guys, no impact wrenches.. ;)

[Mystikal]

All done.





Like my shiny single bolt? Oh, and the sharp-eyed will notice that I went from the stock airbox (with a K&N drop-in) back to the Lukas heatshielded K&N cone. I had the cone setup for years now, and all this talk about smooth airflow and velocity piping in the stock box made me want to try the stock setup again. Well, there is hardly a difference between the two and if anything the cone setup has an edge. Even ignoring the sound (which is SO much better with the cone), the power feels the damn same, and I rather like the wonderful growl. Cone + shield > box, in my humble opinion.

[nando]

I spent like 4 hours cleaning mine with every chemical I could find, including that expensive shit from Zymol that's made for it. it's better than it was, but it's still not quite all off. very frustrating, even with it out of the car!

Don't be a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles, wirebrush+drill=clean valve cover.

my valve cover is painted. also, I don't think I'm going to use a wire brush anywhere on my paint (struttowers, etc), thanks.

[BMW BMXER]

Jay like last week you said the box felt better. Make up your mind. :D

[ZiMMie]

looks good Jay. u gotto tell me wat paint u used.

[Mystikal]

Jay like last week you said the box felt better. Make up your mind. :D

After going back, I decided that they feel the damn same. If there's a power difference, I don't care. The cone sounds so sickwitit.

Mike you can take the rest of the spray can if you want, it's 500F Cast Iron.

[Matto]

I spent like 4 hours cleaning mine with every chemical I could find, including that expensive shit from Zymol that's made for it. it's better than it was, but it's still not quite all off. very frustrating, even with it out of the car!

Don't be a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles, wirebrush+drill=clean valve cover.

my valve cover is painted. also, I don't think I'm going to use a wire brush anywhere on my paint (struttowers, etc), thanks.

Wirebrush more for the cosmoline not just dirt, at least I hope you didn't reapply cosmoline after you painted the valve cover.

[PrinceE30]

what is cosmoline?

-Prince