kskane

Hi Guys,

I am planning to doing DIY on my E60 with 6HP19 trans for the oil sump. It is recommended to change the sump bolts and here in Australia, these bolts will cost me nearly $150 from a $tealer as their are 24 of them. So, I am thinking of replacing the original bolts, with normal M6 bolts with a washer (stainless steel) of the same size as the BMW bolt. Mechanically or Technically, is that a good or a bad idea?

Thanks in advance.

onetime

I don't see an issue as long as the bolts are the exact same size with the same twist per inch. I can't help but think that a bolt is a bolt as long as they are not hardened or have some other special property.

crewzer

There are numerous "torque-to-yield" fasteners and aluminum bolts (blue paint on heads) used in the E60. These should be replaced when removed.

I checked my copy of Bentley's 5-Series service manual and did not find such a recommendation. All I found was "If necessary, replace with M6 x 28.5mm Torx T40"

The ATF sump appears to be plastic, and the hardware tightening torque is just 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs), so it's hard to imagine that the hardware or case material was ever stressed. Sump bolts should be installed had tight, and then gradually tightened to spec in a crisscross pattern.

Bentley recommends using a BMW scan tool to check the ATF level.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

P.S.: Hopefully useful link.

kskane

Thanks Crewzer for details from the repair manual, but what do you think about changing the bolts with new stainless steel bolts and washer?

P.S. 14 of my bolts are wearing off on the its torx teeth or whatever you call them.

pcy

There are other guys who have replaced the factory torx bolts with same size M6 bolts; no problems have been reported.

If I was in your situation, I would go ahead and replace with M6 bolts given the fact they will be EXACTLY same size and the torque is not that high.

twh

Looking at Welcome, BMW fans! or realoem, you'll generally see something like "Attention! Aluminum screws may only be used once. For additional information, refer to the Repair manual!". I don't see this warning for the transmission oil pan on the one I looked at which was a GA6HP19Z. That would indicate these are not one time use fasteners. Then, the only thing you need to worry about is getting a fastener of the same metal so you can avoid galvanic action of dissimilar metals.

crewzer

Considering the torque spec, that's rather odd, IMHO. Give their condition, I'd replace 'em.

Regards,
Jim / crewer

kskane

If you had to deal with my local INDY's, you will either shoot em or understand why the screws are screwed up . Probably the last person just went to max torque they could.

Anyway, I can get either stainless steel bolts here or zinc plated high tensile bolts of strength 8.8. Plus I will need to use washers as the bolts head is not that wide in diameter. Washer are plain and simple stainless steel I believe. So that is the combination I have at hand available.