F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > valve cover gasket - ?
proTUNING Freaks
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-04-2019, 04:20 PM   #1
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

valve cover gasket - ?

Need to replace the VC Gasket on my car with 113,500 miles. Smelled burning oil today on the passenger side and can see seepage around the valve gasket.

For those who changed their valve cover gasket, was it necessary or advisable to replace the valve cover itself? Did you find it warped or cracked?
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2019, 04:33 PM   #2
Wgosma
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
800
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52)
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern Nevada

iTrader: (0)

Have replaced VCG on 3 Bimmers I've owned; 2 were 18 y/o cars w/original covers- never replaced a cover.

Cracking or warping is not common- that likely occurs only if motor has seen overheat or cover has been cracked by improper/excessive prying when being removed.

Use Genuine BMW gasket.
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-04-2019, 05:35 PM   #3
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

Perfect. I'll just pick up and change the BMW gasket for now.
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2019, 06:03 PM   #4
John in VA
Colonel
974
Rep
2,180
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Leesburg, VA

iTrader: (6)

The valve cover on our '13 328iX was warped & replaced at 42,000 miles - purchased CPO with 20K miles, no abuse in the 3 years we owned it.
__________________
____________________________________________
2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-04-2019, 06:22 PM   #5
Gen13 F36
Brigadier General
Gen13 F36's Avatar
United_States
1599
Rep
3,752
Posts

Drives: 428i Gran Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (1)

MY2016 F36 VCG got replace at 27k... service saw some oil outside.
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-04-2019, 06:42 PM   #6
Wgosma
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
800
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52)
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern Nevada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dougt.ah3 View Post
Perfect. I'll just pick up and change the BMW gasket for now.
Nice car....if you do this gasket yourself go easy when you remove the cover. Over time these gaskets can get pretty hard/brittle from the constant exposure to heat, and they can 'stick' to the aluminum head and the valve cover. On couple of my older cars the covers felt like they were welded to the head and the gaskets were like hard plastic.

So if your cover does not come off relatively easily, use plastic razor blade or similar thin plastic to break the seal between head and cover. If that does not get it done, you may end up having to pry a bit on a corner - go easy and remember you don't want to scratch the aluminum head's sealing surface.

pic: I just did VCG on my 2012 X3 motor (it's inline 6). Car is not that old but I'll be darned the cover was not even easy to get off...look at the gasket material around the spark plug holes, that stuff was very hard and as I was pulling it off it was so brittle it broke into several pieces; gotta watch that so you don't allow any of this hard gasket material get deposited/remain in the valvetrain area.

Good luck/Bill
Attached Images
 

Last edited by Wgosma; 12-04-2019 at 06:49 PM..
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-04-2019, 06:55 PM   #7
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the pointers.

Just ranting. BMW dealership online parts departments list the gasket, 11-12-7-587-804, at $55.90 and are selling it for roughly $35 plus shipping. I contacted the two local dealerships, same ownership, and they want $79.94 for the gasket. I was willing to pay list and neither would reduce their price. Will order it online.
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2019, 06:57 PM   #8
Wgosma
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
800
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52)
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern Nevada

iTrader: (0)

Autohauz (in AZ) or FCP Euro, lifetime warranty 👍

Go Genuine BMW on all gasket stuff
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-06-2019, 01:36 AM   #9
jh_f30
Lieutenant Colonel
jh_f30's Avatar
1306
Rep
1,827
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i Sportline Auto RWD
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (2)

Did CYT mine in July with almost the same mileage...113,8xx. Just replaced the gaskets, reused the valve cover itself. I suppose you run the risk of damaging the valve cover when removing it, so planning to replace it would have your bases covered. It would suck to damage it and then be stuck without use of your car while you order and wait for a new cover. That said, I was living on the edge (but also had access to a back up car if anything went awry.)

Now, about 5 months and over 10k miles later, car is fine.
__________________
2013 F30 335i RWD ZF Melbourne Red
~Remus Sport Axleback~VRSF Chargepipe~VRSF Catless Downpipe~GPlus FMIC~HR Sport Springs~Active Autowerke OBD Flash Tune Stage 2~
Appreciate 1
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-06-2019, 08:25 AM   #10
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jh_f30 View Post
Did CYT mine in July with almost the same mileage...113,8xx. Just replaced the gaskets, reused the valve cover itself. I suppose you run the risk of damaging the valve cover when removing it, so planning to replace it would have your bases covered. It would suck to damage it and then be stuck without use of your car while you order and wait for a new cover. That said, I was living on the edge (but also had access to a back up car if anything went awry.)

Now, about 5 months and over 10k miles later, car is fine.
Thanks. Based on yours and other's reply it sounds like the VC should be okay.
I will replace the gaskets and strut bolts. I do have other cars to use should more parts need to be ordered and replaced.
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2019, 08:32 AM   #11
Fliplegend
Captain
Fliplegend's Avatar
United_States
1470
Rep
972
Posts

Drives: 2015 435ix F33
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NH

iTrader: (0)

Let us know how it goes. From the videos I have seen, VC replacement on these motors are more PITA than the older inline 6's.
__________________
15' 435i F33 Metallic Grey/Dakota Black/Contrast Blue | AWD | M Sport
15' 328i F30 Mineral White/Dakota Saddle Brown | AWD | Luxury Line
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2019, 08:33 AM   #12
Polo08816
Brigadier General
1594
Rep
3,926
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
Autohauz (in AZ) or FCP Euro, lifetime warranty 👍

Go Genuine BMW on all gasket stuff
While this is a good warranty for replacements, how many VCG replacements will you do over the course of the life of the car? 1? 2 - if you keep it to 300k miles.
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2019, 09:13 AM   #13
Wgosma
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
800
Rep
1,895
Posts

Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52)
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern Nevada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Polo08816 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
Autohauz (in AZ) or FCP Euro, lifetime warranty 👍

Go Genuine BMW on all gasket stuff
While this is a good warranty for replacements, how many VCG replacements will you do over the course of the life of the car? 1? 2 - if you keep it to 300k miles.
Agreed, maybe 1 or 2 at most; was just pointing out a feature of buying from FCP - they even warranty wear items such as brake pads/rotors- for the guy like me who does a good deal of my own wrenching AND keeps cars to 200K miles it's worth buying from them.
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2019, 10:07 AM   #14
Gen13 F36
Brigadier General
Gen13 F36's Avatar
United_States
1599
Rep
3,752
Posts

Drives: 428i Gran Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Polo08816 View Post
While this is a good warranty for replacements, how many VCG replacements will you do over the course of the life of the car? 1? 2 - if you keep it to 300k miles.
Come on man... it's for peace of mind
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2019, 01:54 PM   #15
SCS55
Lieutenant
291
Rep
408
Posts

Drives: E90,F30, F80
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Space Coast Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dougt.ah3 View Post
Need to replace the VC Gasket on my car with 113,500 miles. Smelled burning oil today on the passenger side and can see seepage around the valve gasket.

For those who changed their valve cover gasket, was it necessary or advisable to replace the valve cover itself? Did you find it warped or cracked?
Literally just did this yesterday. 15' 335i.
No, unless the engine has sustained an overheat condition it will be fine.

Note 1) use a Genuine BMW gasket (I believe $39.00 FCP).

2) I did this on my e46 and on an N55 it is definitely a PITA. When it's time to remove the VC itself, you'll swear it's fused to the head. Be patient and work one end ever so slightly with a non marring pry tool if needed. It took me a full hour of working it free.

3) Definitely follow the BMW Newtis torque pattern as you make each round on the 26 fasteners, each round of turnings you'll see how every next bolt turns easier as you will be literally walking the VC head level onto the mating surface. Good luck.
Appreciate 2
Wgosma799.50
dougt.ah3137.00
      12-06-2019, 05:05 PM   #16
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

^ Thanks ... I always use genuine BMW parts; same for all of my other vehicles.
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-12-2019, 03:20 PM   #17
dougt.ah3
Private First Class
dougt.ah3's Avatar
United_States
137
Rep
139
Posts

Drives: AH3 Msport; F150 XLT
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

I found the process not difficult and rather easy. It was time consuming to ensure all was done right ... especially tightening the 26 bolts in pattern as it took many rotations hand tightening before the final torque.

Recommendation. Highly suggest removing the coolant expansion tank hose as it is very brittle and will break if you happen to put any pressure on the line. Mine did break at the expansion tank connection.
__________________
2013 Active Hybrid 3 | M Sport | Alpine White | Coral Red | BM3 Stage 2 | ER FMIC | FabSpeed Catted DP | ER CP |
2016 F150
2021 RnineT
2022 K1600B
Appreciate 0
      12-12-2019, 09:16 PM   #18
N55Msport
Private First Class
N55Msport's Avatar
United_States
177
Rep
129
Posts

Drives: 11'E90 15'F30 16'F80
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Where they launch rockets

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dougt.ah3 View Post
I found the process not difficult and rather easy. It was time consuming to ensure all was done right ... especially tightening the 26 bolts in pattern as it took many rotations hand tightening before the final torque.

Recommendation. Highly suggest removing the coolant expansion tank hose as it is very brittle and will break if you happen to put any pressure on the line. Mine did break at the expansion tank connection.
Glad you successfully completed it.

Excellent point on the coolant hose... I broke the very same hose doing plugs last summer and wrote "Do not press" in sharpie on the ET with arrows pointing at that connection.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:50 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST