[kundy]

So I have a 2011 e93 335i convertible and I was wondering if the original valve cover has aluminum or Steel bolts.
original valve cover part number 11127570292.
Was changing my valve cover this weekend with some aftermarket one which has aluminum bolts, and one of the bolts near the backend was very hard to reach got rounded while tightening it and now it wont tighten anymore, I can take it out but cant really put it in because the socket ends up slipping. My plan is to take out the same bolt from the original valve cover and replace it but I've read online that some models have aluminum bolts which are one time use and some have steel bolts that you can reuse, I'm just trying to get some clarification as to what bolts my valve cover would have 10.0.0.0.1 192.168.1.254 .

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by kundy

So I have a 2011 e93 335i convertible and I was wondering if the original valve cover has aluminum or Steel bolts.
original valve cover part number 11127570292.
Was changing my valve cover this weekend with some aftermarket one which has aluminum bolts, and one of the bolts near the backend was very hard to reach got rounded while tightening it and now it wont tighten anymore, I can take it out but cant really put it in because the socket ends up slipping. My plan is to take out the same bolt from the original valve cover and replace it but I've read online that some models have aluminum bolts which are one time use and some have steel bolts that you can reuse, I'm just trying to get some clarification as to what bolts my valve cover would have.

They should all be aluminum, I’ve never heard of steel bolts for the valve cover on e90s regardless of model. It is definitely not recommended reusing aluminum bolts ever but if you absolutely have to go that way clean the threads with a wire brush on the old bolt, make sure no rust and it’s clean. If it’s hard to go in don’t force it.

[chaltau]

I have taken my valve cover off twice and reused the same bolts. Don't care what they are made of, they are torqued to about 8NM which is barely more than hand tight.

How did you round them?

[NZE90]

They are steel on all 335i. Only the early N52 has aluminum bolts for the valve cover.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by NZE90

They are steel on all 335i. Only the early N52 has aluminum bolts for the valve cover.

Whoops you’re right. Got em mixed up.