From digest.v5.n290 Thu Sep 26 10:20:17 1996
From: gunnar_elmgren_at_se.ibm.com
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 10:39:27 EDT
Subject: Hex head bolt replacement issue....

Bruce Toski wrote:
> Which cars, and whether you will get BMW to repair is the question.

Which cars is an easy one: Every single M20 engine (small 12-valve six, 2.0/2.3/2.5/2.7 l) that still has hex shape head bolts is in danger. This engine is used in 3-series and 5-series cars from 1978 thru 1991. Early production M20's, up to 1984 or so, seem to be less affected for some odd reason. (Anyone who knows how come?) BMW started using TORX style bolts in late 1989 production, and took all hex bolts out of stock sometime 1990, when also the Service Bulletin was put out (october 1990, ALLDATA has published it on their CD-ROM). Easy to inspect: Lift oil filler cap, use a torch light and peek. If the head bolts have hexagon heads, replace them _before_ one breaks! If they have TORX style heads (spline-looking, 12-edge shape) your'e OK.

Whether you can make BMW pay for the repair is another issue, we have a claim pending right now for father-in-laws new cylinder head..... Will post the outcome of that....

Cheers,
Gunnar Elmgren,
Stockholm, Sweden BMW Club Schweden no.1436 '71 1600-2 Vollcabrio
'75 2002 tii
'90 M5
'87 320i (Father-in-laws, now with new cylinder head and torx bolts)

Gunnar Elmgren                            ______'
AS/400 Software Support, IBM Sweden     o/______\o
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