[ah3julien]

Hey guys
Started a valve cover gasket replacement on my buddy's 2015 335i. Everything was going great until we tried pulling the valve cover off. The rear bolts (I believe there are two in each corner) seemed to be loose, but they caught and I guess are still screwed in. We've tried loosening them for about a half-hour, attempting to pry the valve cover slightly with a screwdriver at the same time, etc... (the bolts somehow keep spinning, still hold onto the engine block, and they can tighten so I don't think they're stripped)
What I think made this worse is the VC got stuck somewhere on the middle, I think its part of the PCV system but now the VC can't go back to being flat and is sitting at this weird angle.
I'm wondering if anyone has ever encountered anything similar, or if anyone has any suggestions for how I could fix this. Anything is appreciated thank you!
I also attached some pictures to help explain the situation.

[F32Fleet]

I believe there are three bolts in the back. Since the cover appears to be bent I would just replace it.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/11127570292/

(look at pics)

[Billfitz]

There are three, one in each corner, one in the middle. There are 26 in all, so if you only removed 25 you missed one. https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...h-lid/IOXzhV9C

[BashShah]

I just did this about 2.5 weeks ago.
I forgot 1 bolt and yes, it was impossible to move, if you used a Flat head or any other metal tool, then you have also pitted your mating surface.

here are 2 ideas to get it off.
1) Get vise grips onto the back driver's side corner and Break the bolt holding hole.
if you are going to replace the VC, and I am sure you are now.
then who cares if it get damaged.

2) ok, try using a 8mm or 7mm on that stuck bolts instead of an e socket.

I ordered a Hamburg-Tek from ECS tunning, and it worked well.
Point to note,
That Crank Case vent pipe was so brittle, that it cracked really easily. and the tabs broke immediately.
By the looks of your pictures, you will need this part number: 11127599753
NOT the one that ECS tuning is selling as a kit.

I fount there is NO Need for any additional Bolts they sell you, as they can be reused from old VC.
2 for the Valtronic Sleeve, electrical connector.
2 Ball pinned screws. (actually there are 3 in total)
(these are all self threading (into new Plastic VC) and can be removed and reinstalled without any issues.)

PS: I used Permetek Ultra Grey to fill in the Pitted spots on the mating surface.

If you want to do this with ease, then you need you shift the old VC towards the windshield and let it sit, I don't think it's warped that much as the pictures illustrate.

Also, the N55 guide from E90 states 24 Bolts, but we have 26 Bolts.
If you look at this write up, the last picture shows 24 in total, but positions 3 and 4 have 2 bolts each.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1197637

Good luck.

[F32Fleet]

Wonder how this turned out?

[brandonf30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There are three, one in each corner, one in the middle. There are 26 in all, so if you only removed 25 you missed one. https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...h-lid/IOXzhV9C

I remember when I did this on my N54. Absolute nightmare taking them all out and then putting it back together.

[Billfitz]

For the last 25 years or more cars have been designed to minimize the labor involved in building them, with no regard as to how that affects fixing them. If I had to learn how to work on engines with the likes of my N20 I probably wouldn't bother. It was a different world with the first two engines I owned and worked on, a Chevy 327 and a Dodge 318.