Removing Front Engine Cover.

snavetrauts · Post by **snavetrauts** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:25 pm

I am itching (after 18mths of ownership) to remove the front engine cover to get rid of that corrosion, either by polishing out or by repainting.

Questions...

How long will it take. I have got Clymer and Haynes and neither really explain this process well or indicate if I will need new gaskets etc etc etc ??

Will I need any gaskets? will any seals need to be replaced?

I am reasonably technically capable but the manuals seem crap in this area.

Regards

Stuart

leasky · Post by **leasky** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:27 pm

Hello Stuart, hope you are enjoying the winter in Spain. It has to be better then what we have here.

I also toyed with the idea of removing the cover in an attempt to clean it up when I first got the bike. I foolishly went into my (now no-more) local BMW dealer to get the best advice and was basically told that they would do it but at a price. Verbal quote of 4hrs time, plus the cost of cleaning (which they wouldnt be drawn on), plus gasket, plus oil, plus VAT. A grand total of atleast £300, not counting the cleaning!!

They did not mention any seals other then the Gasket.

I decided to wait until the V-Belt required changing at 36k and do it all then through another garage.

I tried to wait but ended up buying one of those sticky-on Carbon Fibre pads and covered the offending area. It will probably be a bugger to get off come the 36k time but I just hated seeing the engine in that state.

I know it has been said before but I just cant understand why BMW have not done something before to rectify this issue.

Still, not bad if your into selling Carbon Fibre sheets.

Ade B · Post by **Ade B** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:38 pm

In my attempt to get to the poly V belt, I ended up rounding the soft allen bolts holding the black bit on which were stuck and very soft - winters have not been kind to my S. Took it to an indy who sorted it as part of general fettle.

It depends on the condition of the bike - bear in mind the fasteners have the strength of manchego.

Ade

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:01 pm

looks a reasonably big job to me heres the pages out of the official BM manual, dont know if its all necessary though, but there doesnt seem to be a gasket, only mention of some kind of sealer

snavetrauts · Post by **snavetrauts** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:00 pm

Thanks Chaps.

Leasky.... 22 today and very sunny.... the only shortcoming of Spanish winters is that the day and sunshine gets much shorter. Starts to get cold at about 5/6 in the evening... but other than that.... fantastic. I always watch the weather in the UK because of the family over there.. poor buggers.

The only trouble with a CF cover is that the main areas of concern are the immediate area around the bolt heads and the cover does not cover this.

Timbox..... Actually I forgot I have the BMW manual on CD.... thanks for reminding me. The other manuals I mentioned are crap in this area.

I read somewhere here that someone (Was it Winger?) did a spray jobby while attached to the engine... that seemed quite trick to me and back breaking.... it would be easier on the bench??!!

AdeB.... I replaced all the bolts (those that I could get to) with S/S some time ago and they came out quite well. I know what you mean though. I have already had to drill out a head exhaust stud... tedious and very difficult.

Oh the joys of owning a BMW.

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:52 pm

snavetrauts wrote:Thanks Chaps.

I have already had to drill out a head exhaust stud... tedious and very difficult.

Oh the joys of owning a BMW.

Yep Ive had to do one of them as well, b...ard job, had to use a dremel with a tungsten bit

tripe · Post by **tripe** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:26 pm

spoke to Darren at Motorworks this afternoon on this very issue.
his advice was remove it , sand it, prime it and paint it. Don't buy new or perfect one asd it will do the same in 12 months. He reckons its down to BMW not being allowed to use lead based paint.
As to gasket there is no gasket rather a sealant as shown in the second image above.
I am tempted to buy a used cover and get it ready and have it swapped over at the next service.
h

Bender · Post by **Bender** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:39 pm

I'm wondering if mine would look better in black rather than risking a mis-matched silver...

gus · Post by **gus** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:05 pm

Hi
Get some sticky back (3m adhesive if possible) vinyl in the colour of your choice.Most hardware stores stock it to cover kitchen doors etc.Cut out your desired shape.Remove any scabby bits of old paint and degrease area.Apply vinyl.In the style of gordon ramsey.

Vinyl front engine cover.

DONE!

Cheap as chips and you can make a few up for later.
gus
ps i wouldnt go for the teak effect though.

Bender · Post by **Bender** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:32 pm

gus wrote:Hi
Get some sticky back (3m adhesive if possible) vinyl in the colour of your choice.Most hardware stores stock it to cover kitchen doors etc.Cut out your desired shape.Remove any scabby bits of old paint and degrease area.Apply vinyl.In the style of gordon ramsey.

Vinyl front engine cover.

DONE!

Cheap as chips and you can make a few up for later.
gus
ps i wouldnt go for the teak effect though.

Damn, I followed your advice with a nice flowery effect, but it had all melted by the time I got home from work...