Joe in Orlando
1994 530i
broken bolt inside engine when installing water pump. Can someone please tell me how can I get the broken bolt out of the engine myself? The bolt is normally 4 inches long but 1/2 inch is stuck inside the engine.
Joe in Orlando
1994 530i
broken bolt inside engine when installing water pump. Can someone please tell me how can I get the broken bolt out of the engine myself? The bolt is normally 4 inches long but 1/2 inch is stuck inside the engine.
Last edited by Green Bimmer; 08-09-2006 at 07:43 AM.
Looking at the picture of my v8 when it was still in the car, I think with the radiator removed, you'll have enough space to work with. You need enough space for a drill. The water pump needs to be removed of course. So is the throttle body. You may want to also remove the flex damper.
Go to Home Depot to get yourself a set of Cobalt drill bits. The trade name is Blue Mol. These drill bits go through steel like butter. But you need to be careful because the aluminum block is actually softer than the stuck bolt. The Cobalt bits are also quite brittle being so hard.
Use a center punch (the smallest size finished nail punch) to punch an indentation right in the center of the broken shank so you can start your first drill bit centered. Start with the smallest drill bit to drill into the shank. Don't go deeper than the broken shank. You don't want to drill into the block. Increase the drill bit size one at a time until you reach the maximum bit size required by the proper size bolt extractor. Then use the bolt extractor to get the shank out.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
Whether to remove the hood is up to you. Considering the criticality of the task, I'd remove it so you can work directly in front of the engine.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
Thank you sir for your help but the bolt that is broken is one of the 4 inch ones. When the bolt broke 1/2 inch remains inside of the engine block (I can't see the bolt).Originally Posted by yaofeng
I know there is on m6 bolt longer than the rest. But no matter. If you can get the parts removed to that shown in the picture, you can extract the broken bolt. I forgot which hole the long bolt goes to. You should know more now.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
try to find a set of reverse drill bits, then do like yaofang says, sometimes the reverse bits will unscrew the part stuck in there.
Originally Posted by Green Bimmer
95 E34 530I V2.37
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy
1994 530iOriginally Posted by 632 Regal
Joe in Orlando
Recently I tried to replace my water pump but broke one of the four inch bolts in the chasis. Today I was told by a mechanic that I could use 3M Gasket Seal and put the water pump back into place and then put the glue the broken bolt back into place without any worry. He ensured me that after I did this the water pump would not leak, but he did tell me that if it leaked he would toll my car to his shop and tap the hole and charge me $100.00 (which is normally a $200.00 job).
he forgot the wire hanger and chewing gum.
Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........
What do you suggest? I Read all of the other suggestions and they failed to understand that the bolt is a 4 inches and not the shorter ones. I can't use a center punch because I can't see the bolt. I can't use a reverse drill the bolt broken off at the 3 1/2 inch point. So what can I do? One guy suggested that I remove the front portion of the chasis (NO WAY!).Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg Bob
That bolt sandwiches the front cover to the block through the pump, removing the front cover would open up access for the repair.
I'd try the drill and easy out approach one more time.
I have seen longer drill bits (a cheap one can be sacrificed as a center punch) and tap extensions for the easy out, so it may just be a matter of finding the right tools.
And when you put it back together, use anti-seize compound to prevent this from happening again.
Good luck
Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........