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      11-09-2018, 08:29 AM   #1
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Valve Cover Gasket Replacement on a F30 335i N55 DIY

Hey all,

I have seen a lot of valve cover gasket DIY from older E90 N54 cars, but I couldn't find anything complete for our F30 generation N55 motors. Mine was leaking recently so I decided to replace it and document the process along the way. When I had my N52 a video like this helped a lot, so hopefully this helps some of you as our cars get to that BMW age where gaskets start leaking..

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      11-09-2018, 09:15 AM   #2
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Thanks for this!!
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      11-09-2018, 12:28 PM   #3
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Amazing! I was just looking for this DIY last week. Thanks man!
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      11-10-2018, 01:23 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdegene View Post
Thanks for this!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jh_f30 View Post
Amazing! I was just looking for this DIY last week. Thanks man!
Glad it helped!
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      11-10-2018, 01:59 PM   #5
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Your a boss for this one, mods should def sticky this here even though it can be found now in youtube.
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      11-10-2018, 03:35 PM   #6
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Very nice
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      11-10-2018, 03:46 PM   #7
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Thank you very much for posting this, I just got this done under warranty (thank jesus) because this looks like a decent 3 hour job for me. I was smelling oil and seeing smoke coming from my cat area just like you described too. After getting down and looking through the underpan of my car I saw fresh email way up in the engine through a little gap through the underpan.
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      11-11-2018, 05:38 PM   #8
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Awesome timing. I need to do this job soon. Much thanks!
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      11-11-2018, 09:57 PM   #9
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Good clip. Thanks.
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      11-12-2018, 09:15 AM   #10
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Thank you!!
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      11-18-2019, 11:43 PM   #11
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When are you guys seeing valve cover gasket failures? Mileage-wise?
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      11-19-2019, 12:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by percychow View Post
When are you guys seeing valve cover gasket failures? Mileage-wise?
I did mine at 113k. Probably could've done it sooner, but at about 110k is when I started really noticing the burning oil smell after a drive.
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      12-04-2019, 01:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by percychow View Post
When are you guys seeing valve cover gasket failures? Mileage-wise?
Noticed the smell today and appears to be the valve cover gasket. Car has 113,500 miles.

Thanks for creating the video ... very helpful and easy to follow.

Recommendation to those replacing their VCG. Highly suggest removing the coolant expansion tank hose as it is very brittle and will break if you happen to put pressure on the line. Mine did break at the expansion tank.
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      12-06-2019, 02:47 PM   #14
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Thanks guys, super appreciate the feedback. I was warned by a local shop that this was coming and it's not as easy as the E36/S5X block - more stuff to unhook/onbolt. I'm at 60k so looks like there's some time to go.
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      12-06-2019, 03:58 PM   #15
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I'm at just short of 80k miles and I'm due. And there's another gasket issue (oil filter?) that made my Indy shop quote $2500 for all of it. At least that includes a new valve cover.
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      12-07-2019, 10:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fuse27 View Post
I'm at just short of 80k miles and I'm due. And there's another gasket issue (oil filter?) that made my Indy shop quote $2500 for all of it. At least that includes a new valve cover.
Oil filter housing gasket is a common weak point (along with the oil cooler gasket). Not too difficult if you want to take a crack at it yourself. Gaskets alone are only about $20-30. A handful of tools and a couple hours and you could save upwards of $1000. My local dealership quoted me around $1200, did it myself for under $100 all in.

VCG is substantially more complex. But with some research, still very DIY-able. Guess it comes down to your ability, willingness, and desire to do your own wrenching. If you do, you could trade some of your time to save about $2000.
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      12-07-2019, 07:26 PM   #17
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My mechanic replaced the valve cover on my 2012 F30 335i at 85k miles. FYI, this is the list of parts he replaced:

11127570292 N55 valve cover
11367609963 Valvetronic screw (2)
11127599753 Vent hose
11377502022 Valvetronic seal
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      12-08-2019, 09:59 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jh_f30 View Post
Oil filter housing gasket is a common weak point (along with the oil cooler gasket). Not too difficult if you want to take a crack at it yourself. Gaskets alone are only about $20-30. A handful of tools and a couple hours and you could save upwards of $1000. My local dealership quoted me around $1200, did it myself for under $100 all in.

VCG is substantially more complex. But with some research, still very DIY-able. Guess it comes down to your ability, willingness, and desire to do your own wrenching. If you do, you could trade some of your time to save about $2000.
Good to know. I researched VCG replacement, and with how involved and time consuming it is for an experienced tech, I think it's just outside of my comfort zone. I hadn't yet looked into what the oil gasket repair would take, but perhaps that's more my speed. I replaced the spark plugs in the B8 S4 I had prior to the F30, so I'm not completely inept. And saving myself $1k would definitely be worth it. Thanks for the suggestion.
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      12-08-2019, 10:32 AM   #19
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Just did both gaskets on N52 (no turbo); OFH gasket easy, VC another issue...after doing it I think $750 for Mr Mechanic labor would have been more enjoyable idea 😉

Look at the OFH DIY stuff, there is one bolt under intake manifold that requires removal - think it can be removed w/o touching manifold, but double check on that point.
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      01-13-2021, 08:02 AM   #20
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Hey all... I'm going to tackle this myself and I see FCP Euro has a kit on sale. It comes with three different bolt types and sizes for the job. Anyone know where specifically these replacement bolts go?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...92#description

(8) 11127544369 ASA bolts, (14) 11127576310 ASA bolts, (2) 11127584156 ASA bolts
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      01-31-2021, 12:40 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx View Post
Hey all... I'm going to tackle this myself and I see FCP Euro has a kit on sale. It comes with three different bolt types and sizes for the job. Anyone know where specifically these replacement bolts go?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...92#description

(8) 11127544369 ASA bolts, (14) 11127576310 ASA bolts, (2) 11127584156 ASA bolts
They should come preinstalled onto the VC itself. All you need to do is screw it down to the head.



Also, thanks for the video OP!!! Just starting my VCG replacement now.
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      01-31-2021, 12:54 PM   #22
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...my understanding is that the valve cover on my b58 has an integral pcv and does need to be replaced.

But, I'm hoping, by the time I need my vcg done, someone will have made a replacement diaphragm to save us the cost of a whole cover. Not sure on your engine, but according to fcp euro, you only need the cover if it's cracked. Just saying.
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