N55 valve cover tightening for small leak

henkinc · 12-26-2020, 10:58 AM

My indie found a small leak which would elicit a smell from the hot engine after warm up and then go away (since not a large leak). Car has 48k miles. I had them tighten the valve cover bolts - they said about 1/2 turn on each, so the bolts were a bit loose. Has anyone else had this done? Took about 1.5 hours labor since a bit hard to get to. Appreciate others' experience with this valve cover gasket leak and when it appeared on your car.
Thanks.

XxThe_RemedyXx · 12-26-2020, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henkinc

My indie found a small leak which would elicit a smell from the hot engine after warm up and then go away (since not a large leak). Car has 48k miles. I had them tighten the valve cover bolts - they said about 1/2 turn on each, so the bolts were a bit loose. Has anyone else had this done? Took about 1.5 hours labor since a bit hard to get to. Appreciate others' experience with this valve cover gasket leak and when it appeared on your car.
Thanks.

Looks like I'm developing a little leak myself, but I'm still under CPO warranty. I'm hoping this will be covered. I have an appointment with service but not until 1/27/21...

henkinc · 12-28-2020, 09:59 AM

How many miles? N55 engine?
Charlie

XxThe_RemedyXx · 12-28-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henkinc

How many miles? N55 engine?
Charlie

74K N55... Dealer was able to squeeze me in for this Wednesday so we'll see how she goes.

exE36M3 · 12-28-2020, 02:24 PM

Not uncommon. First thing I asked my local BMW Indy shops was what were the common things on the N55 to fix... first thing to come to their lips... "valve cover oil leaks".

I *think* the quote was about 4 hours of labor. Not hard, but A LOT of things to remove/replace - biggest ones was the fuel lines as they are pressurized and run right over the valve cover.

I'm at 66k miles and I am starting to smell the familiar synthetic oil burning off the cats after a drive.

F32Fleet · 01-04-2021, 10:24 AM

This is a common leak on all BMWs. Try pushing out the replacement until around 55k miles. The plugs on the N55 are due at 60k miles so you can save some on labor if you do both at the same time.

Zyler · 01-05-2021, 11:35 AM

I had a valve cover gasket leak as well which I ended up replacing but during it I noticed a few of the bolts were fairly loose which could have been the reason of the leak. But as stated above its a common problem. Ill be checking the bolts every so often going forward to ensure they are tiight.

Tpriest7893 · 01-05-2021, 09:18 PM

I had my valve cover gaskets replaced around 75k miles under warranty. Now I am at 91k and have a oil pan leak but it's not that bad so I am putting it off until I feel like paying for it. Good luck

12-26-2020, 10:58 AM	#1
henkinc Private First Class 16 Rep 132 Posts Drives: F30 335xi MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	N55 valve cover tightening for small leak My indie found a small leak which would elicit a smell from the hot engine after warm up and then go away (since not a large leak). Car has 48k miles. I had them tighten the valve cover bolts - they said about 1/2 turn on each, so the bolts were a bit loose. Has anyone else had this done? Took about 1.5 hours labor since a bit hard to get to. Appreciate others' experience with this valve cover gasket leak and when it appeared on your car. Thanks.
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12-28-2020, 09:59 AM	#3
henkinc Private First Class 16 Rep 132 Posts Drives: F30 335xi MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	oil leak How many miles? N55 engine? Charlie
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12-28-2020, 02:24 PM	#5
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Not uncommon. First thing I asked my local BMW Indy shops was what were the common things on the N55 to fix... first thing to come to their lips... "valve cover oil leaks". I think the quote was about 4 hours of labor. Not hard, but A LOT of things to remove/replace - biggest ones was the fuel lines as they are pressurized and run right over the valve cover. I'm at 66k miles and I am starting to smell the familiar synthetic oil burning off the cats after a drive.
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01-04-2021, 10:24 AM	#6
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3567 Rep 10,346 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	This is a common leak on all BMWs. Try pushing out the replacement until around 55k miles. The plugs on the N55 are due at 60k miles so you can save some on labor if you do both at the same time. __________________ "Drive more, worry less. " 435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
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01-05-2021, 11:35 AM	#7
Zyler Private 34 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2013 335xi MSport Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Tristate iTrader: (1)	I had a valve cover gasket leak as well which I ended up replacing but during it I noticed a few of the bolts were fairly loose which could have been the reason of the leak. But as stated above its a common problem. Ill be checking the bolts every so often going forward to ensure they are tiight.
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01-05-2021, 09:18 PM	#8
Tpriest7893 Captain 215 Rep 819 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i f30 N55 ( sold) Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Venice Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2012 bmw 335 [0.00] 02 2002 m3 Vert [0.00]	I had my valve cover gaskets replaced around 75k miles under warranty. Now I am at 91k and have a oil pan leak but it's not that bad so I am putting it off until I feel like paying for it. Good luck __________________ 2012 bmw 335i sedan VRSF catless DP VRSF 5? HD IC Stock intake(had open before and was sick of noise) BMS CP 550i 351m rims with 275/245 set up. No tune as of yet.
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