Help! Cracked Head? N51

Lee_C · 03-29-2020, 10:03 PM

Need help/advice on what to do. I have a 2008 328xi with an N51 engine. Today I was replacing the oil filter housing gasket, finished the job (including coolant bleed and top-off), went for a test drive came home with a low coolant warning. Upon inspection under the hood it looks like where the filter housing bolts to the head the head has cracked. It was not like this when I finished the repair. Has anyone ever come across this before? What should I do? Obviously very upsetting/concerning.

Phil325i · 03-30-2020, 06:59 AM

Ouch! Sorry to ask this, but did you tighten the OFH bolts to the correct torque?

Lee_C · 03-30-2020, 08:24 AM

Figured that would be asked

. Honestly did the hand tight + quarterish turn and visually looked like it was at about the same place as when I took it off.

nsjames · 03-30-2020, 12:48 PM

you buy a good used head, have it decked at a machine shop and checked over and then you replace the head.

there's no easy fix for that.

Lee_C · 03-30-2020, 01:35 PM

Anyone have thoughts on what labor costs could be for replacing the head at an Indy? Concerned if this could turn into a question of whether it is worth it or not. FWIW the car has 135k miles on it.

rjahl · 03-30-2020, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee_C

Anyone have thoughts on what labor costs could be for replacing the head at an Indy? Concerned if this could turn into a question of whether it is worth it or not. FWIW the car has 135k miles on it.

135K, it's a spring chicken.

These engines last a whole lot more than that. I think you will find several member with 250K or more.

If you go the replacement head route, try to get one that's 2008+ revised to minimize the lifter noises.

Bavarian Tech · 03-30-2020, 04:41 PM

Why not try JB-Weld and wait then finger tighen it and see what happens ? I don't see it doing any more harm

nsjames · 03-30-2020, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Tech

Why not try JB-Weld and wait then finger tighen it and see what happens ? I don't see it doing any more harm

will guarantee it doesn't hold.
you're dealing with temperature, oil and coolant all right there.

the "on the car fix" may be to call a local fab shop and see if someone it will to tig it back together.
gonna be hard to get the hole back exactly where it needs to be since you'll have to take the housing off to weld it back on.

but that's a permanent fix.

I'm really surprised that the mounting ear on the head broke off before something bad happened to the OFH honestly. like a one in a million kind of thing.

HydroxFrost · 03-30-2020, 07:37 PM

I agree with nsjames ^ get a fab shop to weld it back together, its the most affordable solution. Other than the crack there, its likely a perfectly good head.

Edit: I did forget about this video, but you could attempt to just send it with some JB weld. Extremely frowned upon, and I can't guarantee it works but others have done it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLoJe3JbFI

nsjames · 03-30-2020, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HydroxFrost

I agree with nsjames ^ get a fab shop to weld it back together, its the most affordable solution. Other than the crack there, its likely a perfectly good head.

Edit: I did forget about this video, but you could attempt to just send it with some JB weld. Extremely frowned upon, and I can't guarantee it works but others have done it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLoJe3JbFI

maybe.

but in my experience using JB weld as field repairs it always comes off if it's exposed to any fluids.

edit:
and if you're trying to find someone to weld it back together, call the local machine shop that all the racecar people use for work. They will know a guy, or be the guy, that can weld it back together.

Lee_C · 03-31-2020, 10:49 PM

Thanks guys - got put in contact with a bmw Indy who saw the pic and is going to try and tig weld it. Had it towed down today. Fingers crossed hoping for good news.

tlow98 · 04-14-2020, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee_C

Thanks guys - got put in contact with a bmw Indy who saw the pic and is going to try and tig weld it. Had it towed down today. Fingers crossed hoping for good news.

Good luck!

Efthreeoh · 04-14-2020, 05:23 PM

I think the head can be tig-welded. It will then need some artful grinding and finish hand filing. The hole alignment is not critical because for this hole, a thru bolt can be used at that position, so the hole can be redrilled in the head-side.

This is the 3rd instance of this issue I have seen on the Forum. I think it happens as a result of improperly fastening the OFH to the head. Meaning some people leave the upper radiator hose attached, or tighten down the 3rd bolt too much before the other two bolts (that thread into the head) are tightened. The 3 bolts should be tightened slowly and evenly in a cross pattern without the coolant hose attached.

I think what happens is there is uneven pressure between the 3 bolts and the 3rd bolt is over torqued, which micro cracks the head. Once the head rapidly heats up, probably faster than the housing, the stress fractures the head

bluewater328 · 04-14-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

maybe.

but in my experience using JB weld as field repairs it always comes off if it's exposed to any fluids.

edit:
and if you're trying to find someone to weld it back together, call the local machine shop that all the racecar people use for work. They will know a guy, or be the guy, that can weld it back together.

Same here...JB Weld and cooling components never work out well....

Efthreeoh · 04-28-2020, 10:39 AM

OP, any update for us?

Lee_C · 06-17-2020, 04:22 PM

So it's been about 2.5 months since this happened, doesn't help that it was in the middle of a pandemic, but hopefully I am getting my car back this week.

Shop was looking for someone to try and TIG it while still mounted on the car in the interest of saving serious $$. Eventually we gave up on that effort and they pulled off the head, had it sent for welding and are going to re-bolt.

Hoping for the best here, can't wait to have it back...

Fiasco · 10-14-2020, 01:53 AM

Can we see some pictures of the end result?

bluewater328 · 10-14-2020, 04:01 PM

Been awhile, but what did that end up costing?

hassmaschine · 10-15-2020, 01:49 PM

well, he paid a shop labor to remove the head, send it off for welding (hopefully they cleaned it up) and reinstallation. I'm guessing $2500.

Lee_C · 02-25-2021, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

well, he paid a shop labor to remove the head, send it off for welding (hopefully they cleaned it up) and reinstallation. I'm guessing $2500.

Yep you are correct, it was right around $2500

03-29-2020, 10:03 PM	#1
Lee_C New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Help! Cracked Head? N51 Need help/advice on what to do. I have a 2008 328xi with an N51 engine. Today I was replacing the oil filter housing gasket, finished the job (including coolant bleed and top-off), went for a test drive came home with a low coolant warning. Upon inspection under the hood it looks like where the filter housing bolts to the head the head has cracked. It was not like this when I finished the repair. Has anyone ever come across this before? What should I do? Obviously very upsetting/concerning. Attached Images
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03-30-2020, 06:59 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 645 Rep 3,228 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Ouch! Sorry to ask this, but did you tighten the OFH bolts to the correct torque? __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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03-30-2020, 08:24 AM	#3
Lee_C New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Figured that would be asked . Honestly did the hand tight + quarterish turn and visually looked like it was at about the same place as when I took it off.
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03-30-2020, 12:48 PM	#4
nsjames Brigadier General 2466 Rep 4,328 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	you buy a good used head, have it decked at a machine shop and checked over and then you replace the head. there's no easy fix for that.
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03-30-2020, 01:35 PM	#5
Lee_C New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Anyone have thoughts on what labor costs could be for replacing the head at an Indy? Concerned if this could turn into a question of whether it is worth it or not. FWIW the car has 135k miles on it.
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03-30-2020, 04:41 PM	#7
Bavarian Tech Major 274 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pittsburgh/Harrisburg iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 330i [10.00]	Why not try JB-Weld and wait then finger tighen it and see what happens ? I don't see it doing any more harm
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03-30-2020, 07:37 PM	#9
HydroxFrost @Lucky.330i 39 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Jeep Compass [0.00] 2006 Chrysler 300 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	I agree with nsjames ^ get a fab shop to weld it back together, its the most affordable solution. Other than the crack there, its likely a perfectly good head. Edit: I did forget about this video, but you could attempt to just send it with some JB weld. Extremely frowned upon, and I can't guarantee it works but others have done it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLoJe3JbFI
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03-31-2020, 10:49 PM	#11
Lee_C New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys - got put in contact with a bmw Indy who saw the pic and is going to try and tig weld it. Had it towed down today. Fingers crossed hoping for good news.
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04-14-2020, 05:23 PM	#13
Efthreeoh General 19962 Rep 19,276 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Verginny iTrader: (0)	I think the head can be tig-welded. It will then need some artful grinding and finish hand filing. The hole alignment is not critical because for this hole, a thru bolt can be used at that position, so the hole can be redrilled in the head-side. This is the 3rd instance of this issue I have seen on the Forum. I think it happens as a result of improperly fastening the OFH to the head. Meaning some people leave the upper radiator hose attached, or tighten down the 3rd bolt too much before the other two bolts (that thread into the head) are tightened. The 3 bolts should be tightened slowly and evenly in a cross pattern without the coolant hose attached. I think what happens is there is uneven pressure between the 3 bolts and the 3rd bolt is over torqued, which micro cracks the head. Once the head rapidly heats up, probably faster than the housing, the stress fractures the head
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04-28-2020, 10:39 AM	#15
Efthreeoh General 19962 Rep 19,276 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Verginny iTrader: (0)	OP, any update for us?
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06-17-2020, 04:22 PM	#16
Lee_C New Member 12 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	So it's been about 2.5 months since this happened, doesn't help that it was in the middle of a pandemic, but hopefully I am getting my car back this week. Shop was looking for someone to try and TIG it while still mounted on the car in the interest of saving serious $$. Eventually we gave up on that effort and they pulled off the head, had it sent for welding and are going to re-bolt. Hoping for the best here, can't wait to have it back...
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10-14-2020, 01:53 AM	#17
Fiasco Private First Class 89 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi E90 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Can we see some pictures of the end result?
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10-14-2020, 04:01 PM	#18
bluewater328 Colonel 645 Rep 2,098 Posts Drives: 2011 bluewater 328i LCI sedan Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0)	Been awhile, but what did that end up costing?
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10-15-2020, 01:49 PM	#19
hassmaschine Major General 3989 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	well, he paid a shop labor to remove the head, send it off for welding (hopefully they cleaned it up) and reinstallation. I'm guessing $2500.
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