So, my water pump was leaking, I took it apart and found that there was a botched water pump install that messed up the one of the bolt holes. Looks like a broken bolt was drilled out and retapped with a larger bolt. I'd like to fix this the correct way and am wondering what is involved in replacing the timing chain cover. Would i have to pull the motor and pull the heads off? Is there a way to remove it without dismantling the whole motor?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HE23&mospid=47406&btnr=11_1230&hg=11&fg=10

Theres a pic of the timing cover, maybe a more experienced mechanic can look at this diagam and tell me if its worth the hastle or if I should just use some really good gasket sealer.

As near as I can tell it doesn't look like you need to pull the heads, as long as you can get the bolts that screw from the head vertically down into the timing cover out without pulling the head.

hmm. I risk destroying the head gasket huh?

Only if you're a clumsy monkey.

has anyone done this before?