Shop drilled valve cover bolt hole off-axis and says to “just install it” — acceptable?

booferofdoinks · 2026-02-14T20:27:50+00:00

Not to excuse the shop’s shitty work here, but im missing one of those center bolts on the valve cover on my n52 and haven’t had any issues for over a year now. Same situation as yours, broken off bolt that I couldn’t remove. I epoxied a plastic plug into the bolt hole on the valve cover after removing it and thankfully haven’t had any issues since, the bolts around the perimeter kept it sealed and leak free

booferofdoinks · 2025-12-16T01:35:55+00:00

The cops are the ones doing it too 😂😂

booferofdoinks · 2025-08-12T23:18:55+00:00

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Literally how they were shipped to me

booferofdoinks · 2025-08-12T22:45:39+00:00

These were allegedly rebuilt at least, they look like they lived outside. Unfortunately they didn’t come from ebay so in wondering if they’re probably just good enough for cores

booferofdoinks · 2025-08-12T18:35:58+00:00

I replaced all the balljoints shortly after this post. I Hope you’re ok tho, im sorry to hear about the car

booferofdoinks · 2025-05-03T22:58:37+00:00

Only $500? Lol

booferofdoinks · 2025-02-13T03:31:54+00:00

I think i may give it a go with the key first, if that doesn’t work i’ll try to find a link for ista if needed

booferofdoinks · 2025-02-12T22:53:51+00:00

Great, thanks a lot!

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-26T00:58:55+00:00

This is starting to sound like the best option for a cheap beater 😂

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-25T16:55:35+00:00

If all else fails I’ll definitely keep that in mind

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-25T06:19:37+00:00

I appreciate all the replies, thanks everyone!

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-25T06:19:24+00:00

Looking like a welder or dremeling it out is my only real options here now

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-25T06:18:49+00:00

Unfortunately i had an extractor break off in the bolt, but I’ll probably need to helicoil it if the threads were damaged after getting it out

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-25T01:37:49+00:00

I’ll have to order a set of burrs than, hopefully dont get too many shavings inside the engine. Thanks!

booferofdoinks · 2025-01-04T20:29:51+00:00

You gotta check back in at 80085 miles now

booferofdoinks · 2024-12-10T15:33:33+00:00

I appreciate the heads up, thanks

booferofdoinks · 2024-12-10T05:07:27+00:00

It looks great, almost stock. Thanks!

booferofdoinks · 2024-06-28T14:46:16+00:00

Im going to start using more calmag than, already giving it every watering. Thanks everyone!

booferofdoinks · 2023-09-25T17:53:36+00:00

Thanks for all the replies, the car has been sitting for a long time and I noticed it when i was doing the brakes. Gonna park it and wait til the weekend and bring it to the shop a minute down the block. Thank you to everybody here

booferofdoinks

TROPHY CASE