Bizarre Head Bolts

[85-325e]

I just pulled the valve cover off my 1985 325e. The head bolts are in the shape of a Torx screwdriver. I know I've heard mention of these before but could some one give me some information as to why they're like this and how to get them off.

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by 85-325e@Feb 16 2005, 06:15 PM
I just pulled the valve cover off my 1985 325e. The head bolts are in the shape of a Torx screwdriver. I know I've heard mention of these before but could some one give me some information as to why they're like this and how to get them off.

[snapback]293211[/snapback]

they're 11 mm torx heads you have to buy special sockets.

[85-325e]

Thanks Kowalski. Does anyone know of a website where I could order an 11mm torx socket?

[87 325iS]

You know one of those stores that sells tools? Go there.

[Hotblack]

Do´nt reuse those bolts. They "stretch" when tightend and should be replaced with new ones of the same type.

[Hotblack]

...also, they are replaced for a reason. original bolts tended to snap after X miles. Orig. had a standard socket, so its easy to see if the bolts are changed. If you own a m20 with standard socket bolts, change to torx.

Torx cant be misstaken for orig bolts, i think thats why torx i used instead of standard socket? Of course any torx wont do. It has to be bolts suitable for m20 heads.

[e30fanm3]

every e30 should have the torx style head bolts in them, when they first came out with the e30 the head bolts were 17mm non-stretch bolts which had a tendency to brake, so BMW put out a dealer service bulletin to change all of the head bolts to the torx style bolts, although all of the dealers did not do this, i know cause that was the first thing i did to my car and they were still the 17mm style. I believe 1991 was the year the torx style came factory on e30s. So it is a good thing that yours are already torx style, but that also could mean that someone had the head off cause they blew a gasket or something

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by e30fanm3@Feb 17 2005, 03:08 PM
every e30 should have the torx style head bolts in them, when they first came out with the e30 the head bolts were 17mm non-stretch bolts which had a tendency to brake, so BMW put out a dealer service bulletin to change all of the head bolts to the torx style bolts, although all of the dealers did not do this, i know cause that was the first thing i did to my car and they were still the 17mm style. I believe 1991 was the year the torx style came factory on e30s. So it is a good thing that yours are already torx style, but that also could mean that someone had the head off cause they blew a gasket or something

[snapback]293857[/snapback]

most likley i hear that tthe head gasket was common to crap out on these things... anywas the head bolts are only like 15 bucks canadian and you can go to any local tool store and they'll be able to get you the socket