arrrghhhh broken valve cover bolt

[foliver]

Hello, good evening, today I had a bad end in a maintenance of the K75.

Replace all exterior fuel hoses, thermostat and cover, and valve cover gasket.

The rubber parts of the screws were new but the screws were not......and one of them broke!

I haven't taken it out of position, but it spins endlessly. I assume its broke, but i need to say i didn't arrive to the torque wrench value, may be is not too tight in the engine....

I turned the bike on for only 1 minute, but I want to leave it to wait for the joint sealant to dry.
The screw that broke is marked in the photo.

What hope do I have that it stays like this without losing oil?

Do I have to take everything apart, buy new screws and doi it again? I know ......the answer is yes....dahmm

[Laitch]

I haven't taken it out of position, but it spins endlessly. I assume its broke, but i need to say i didn't arrive to the torque wrench value,

Endlessly is a long, long time. It is either broken or the threads in the head have been stripped.  Remove the cover and find out what is happening there. That could be a challenge so be patient and thoughtful. Is there a stub on the screw shank you can use to remove the shank with pliers, or have you stripped the threads from within the screw hole and will need to install a thread insert? You can reuse the screws and rubber rings.

You won't know if it will leak as it is now until you try running it, but it would have been a better tactic to have let the sealant cure fully before starting for that minute.

[foliver]

Hi, Laitch!

As you name, i guess i've stripped the threads, as i felt, a little resistance, then without a "sudden change in force" the bolt turns with no end..

So, i read this morning about threads inserts, seems doable with calm, and taking care not to avoid aluminium material fall into the engine.

Seems that Time-sert is the best solution, but 100$!

Someone has tried HHIP or Heli coil ? an interesting comparison video is online:



Any coments are apreciated

[Laitch]

Project Farm.  I like how fast he speaks and how cheerful he is. His attitude helps during times of repair stress. 
I've only done a thread repair like yours once. Heli-Coil was recommended to me by a guy with a lot of experience. I bought a kit and followed its directions scrupulously. Success! I recommend it because it worked for me, and because you can use the money you saved buying it to buy fuel instead.

[foliver]

Thanks Laitch!
yours is a good new, difference in price is high..

IF my k75, didn't drip oil, without a working bolt, it's advisable not to ride it cause may be i bent the valve cover, or can I drive it while the spare parts arrive from the USA to Uruguay?

mmmmmm

[Duckbubbles]

If the bolt is broken, you can probably remove it with some vise grips onto the hex head of the bolt.  if it is stripped you can probably remove it with the vise grips unscrewing it with some outward pressure.

Frank

[Chaos]

Does it leak without the bolt?  If not I'd ignore it, not a real critical part.  May leak into the spark plug cavity, check by leaving the "BMW" plug cover off.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

For a temporary fix I would just clean the hole in the cover with rubbing alcohol and put a dab of silicone caulk in the hole.  Let it cure over night.  Not a permanent fix, but might make the bike usable until the parts arrive.

[foliver]

Hello!.
Well after the sealant cures, yesterday i run the bike ( 2 up with my son, first ride) in the city, at 31degrees ( 87,8F) for half an hour, with some short peaks of acceleration.
All went ok, and i've had no leaks, neither with the engine hot nor after cooling.
So all seems ok, i i assume i can ride it.
I've not looked into the plug area, behind the bmw sign...i wll.
And, i've not removed the bolt yet, because tomorrow i need to go at 100km from home, and i want to do it in the bike , and i'm afraid  that if i remove the bolt it will leak from the screw hole......