F30 335i leaking oil.. with pic!

SupraTurbo12 · 05-09-2021, 04:09 PM

Had a 13 335i sedan for 5 years. At 48k mileage had jb4 for about 25k.. anyway. Had to add oil previously (usually every few k miles) but of late had seen some smoke on startup (exhaust) and once even faintly from the engine bay after some hard runs…

Look below the hood and didn't see what looked to be oil except from here. (See pic). Any thoughts ? Realize a single pic may not be super helpful but was the only signs of oil I saw.

Thanks for any guidance / links to other posts that may have dove into this deeper.

Korvo · 05-09-2021, 04:10 PM

Valve Cover Gasket

Logicoeur · 05-09-2021, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korvo

Valve Cover Gasket

+1000000000

SupraTurbo12 · 05-09-2021, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korvo

Valve Cover Gasket

+1000000000

Damn. Was fearing that. Any guess on cost at an independent shop? Realize probably a ton of labor.

Thanks for the quick replies.

5w20 · 05-09-2021, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korvo

Valve Cover Gasket

frchdragon · 05-09-2021, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupraTurbo12

Damn. Was fearing that. Any guess on cost at an independent shop? Realize probably a ton of labor.

Thanks for the quick replies.

We all go through it. Wait until you have to do the oil pan gasket...
There is a huge amount of information on how to change the VCG, really not a hard job, you just need to take your time.
But if you want a shop to do it, make sure that they prime your oil circuit at then end of replacing the gasket.
I would assume 3 hrs labour, the gasket is really cheap. Check your OFHG while you are at it.

SupraTurbo12 · 05-11-2021, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frchdragon

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupraTurbo12

Damn. Was fearing that. Any guess on cost at an independent shop? Realize probably a ton of labor.

Thanks for the quick replies.

We all go through it. Wait until you have to do the oil pan gasket...
There is a huge amount of information on how to change the VCG, really not a hard job, you just need to take your time.
But if you want a shop to do it, make sure that they prime your oil circuit at then end of replacing the gasket.
I would assume 3 hrs labour, the gasket is really cheap. Check your OFHG while you are at it.

Local shop saying it's very advisable to do the cover itself at the same time as the gasket. Car only has 51kbon if. Is this really advisable given the extra 500 they are asking to do it ? Seems overly cautious but they claim it's known to crack?

thejeremyman9 · 05-11-2021, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupraTurbo12

Local shop saying it's very advisable to do the cover itself at the same time as the gasket. Car only has 51kbon if. Is this really advisable given the extra 500 they are asking to do it ? Seems overly cautious but they claim it's known to crack?

51,000 miles or km? If km, that's a bit early probably. If miles, you are around the range when one might say to replace the cover as preventative. Just consider if its worth it to save the $500 now to potentially have to do the cover before the gaskets starts leaking again and have to pay for the labor.

mlev · 05-11-2021, 12:29 PM

I had to change my valve cover gasket as well around 44k miles. Luckily it was covered by CPO just before my warranty ended.

I wouldn't mess with paying them to change out the cover if it looks fine. Keep in mind, they may try to upsell you on that in case they crack or damage it somehow during the cover removal and gasket change process. It covers them in a sense and allows them to be less careful removing it.

A good mechanic should be able to look it over during the gasket change process (or show you) and honestly advise whether or not it looks fine. They can check it for signs of cracks and leaks. It probably is fine at your mileage, but not sure if weather in Chicago plays a role in the accelerated deterioration.

RVA_F30 · 05-11-2021, 08:27 PM

Food for thought on replacing the valve cover, it's an expensive part in and of itself - ballpark $400 for the part or $525 for the kit. I have an oil leak that's showing up down by the turbo on the TIC pipe that my Indy said COULD be due to a failing oil separator, which is built into the valve cover. You may want to consider replacing yours while you are in there for peace of mind and preventative maintenance.

frchdragon · 05-11-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupraTurbo12

Local shop saying it's very advisable to do the cover itself at the same time as the gasket. Car only has 51kbon if. Is this really advisable given the extra 500 they are asking to do it ? Seems overly cautious but they claim it's known to crack?

I looked at my valve cover when I did my VCG, it looked good so I didn't change it, I am not going to throw $500 at my car because BMW feels like it should be changed. I would rather spend that money on getting my crankshaft bearings replaced.

Two things to consider:
- VCG job is cheap and you don't mind doing it twice in the remote chance that you have to change the valve cover.
- VCG job is expensive (you should call another shop) then get it all done for piece of mind.

These new BMWs are really not built to last. Between gaskets leaking very early and engine seizing...

05-09-2021, 04:09 PM	#1
SupraTurbo12 New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: '13 335i EB ZMM Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	F30 335i leaking oil.. with pic! Had a 13 335i sedan for 5 years. At 48k mileage had jb4 for about 25k.. anyway. Had to add oil previously (usually every few k miles) but of late had seen some smoke on startup (exhaust) and once even faintly from the engine bay after some hard runs… Look below the hood and didn't see what looked to be oil except from here. (See pic). Any thoughts ? Realize a single pic may not be super helpful but was the only signs of oil I saw. Thanks for any guidance / links to other posts that may have dove into this deeper. Attached Images
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05-09-2021, 04:10 PM	#2
Korvo Respect My Authoritah 368 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (2)	Valve Cover Gasket __________________ 2014 335xi M-Sport 6MT: Estoril Blue II, MHD Stage 2+ , Dinan Exhaust, Dinan CAI, ER Catted DP, ER Chargepipe, AA FMIC.
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05-11-2021, 12:29 PM	#9
mlev Lieutenant 370 Rep 552 Posts Drives: 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	I had to change my valve cover gasket as well around 44k miles. Luckily it was covered by CPO just before my warranty ended. I wouldn't mess with paying them to change out the cover if it looks fine. Keep in mind, they may try to upsell you on that in case they crack or damage it somehow during the cover removal and gasket change process. It covers them in a sense and allows them to be less careful removing it. A good mechanic should be able to look it over during the gasket change process (or show you) and honestly advise whether or not it looks fine. They can check it for signs of cracks and leaks. It probably is fine at your mileage, but not sure if weather in Chicago plays a role in the accelerated deterioration. Last edited by mlev; 05-11-2021 at 12:35 PM..
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05-11-2021, 08:27 PM	#10
RVA_F30 New Member 2 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 335i Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: RVA iTrader: (0)	Food for thought on replacing the valve cover, it's an expensive part in and of itself - ballpark $400 for the part or $525 for the kit. I have an oil leak that's showing up down by the turbo on the TIC pipe that my Indy said COULD be due to a failing oil separator, which is built into the valve cover. You may want to consider replacing yours while you are in there for peace of mind and preventative maintenance.
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