12-04-2019, 04:20 PM | #1 |
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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?
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12-04-2019, 04:33 PM | #2 |
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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. |
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12-04-2019, 05:35 PM | #3 |
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Perfect. I'll just pick up and change the BMW gasket for now.
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12-04-2019, 06:03 PM | #4 |
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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.
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12-04-2019, 06:42 PM | #6 |
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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 Last edited by Wgosma; 12-04-2019 at 06:49 PM.. |
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12-04-2019, 06:55 PM | #7 |
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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.
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12-06-2019, 01:36 AM | #9 |
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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.
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12-06-2019, 08:25 AM | #10 | |
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I will replace the gaskets and strut bolts. I do have other cars to use should more parts need to be ordered and replaced.
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12-06-2019, 08:32 AM | #11 |
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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.
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12-06-2019, 08:33 AM | #12 |
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12-06-2019, 09:13 AM | #13 | |
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12-06-2019, 10:07 AM | #14 |
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12-06-2019, 01:54 PM | #15 | |
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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. |
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12-06-2019, 05:05 PM | #16 |
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^ Thanks ... I always use genuine BMW parts; same for all of my other vehicles.
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12-12-2019, 03:20 PM | #17 |
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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.
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12-12-2019, 09:16 PM | #18 | |
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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. |
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