Valve cover leak

Bking60 · 09-26-2022, 05:09 PM

I checked under the hood before my wife took a trip and just now checked again when she got back. Small to medium oil leak on passenger side. Not dripping on exhaust. Another warranty trip, 1.5 hours roundtrip plus more if we wait on it. Sort of glad because the 2nd gasket set always lasts longer if done right. I think the bolts have to replaced too, anyone know for sure? They sell them online so probably so.

BobsM3Coupe · 09-26-2022, 08:23 PM

How many miles?

Bking60 · 09-26-2022, 09:22 PM

32600 miles

Bking60 · 09-28-2022, 05:47 PM

I think I will clean this small amount of oil off and see if it comes back. Reason being is that the dealer tech did something once that soaked the underside of the engine cover with oil and some was left down low. He cleaned it up pretty good, but I took it back and got a new engine cover. Maybe I just didn't see this oil until now so going to make sure before taking it back.

eelnoraa · 10-21-2022, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bking60

I think I will clean this small amount of oil off and see if it comes back. Reason being is that the dealer tech did something once that soaked the underside of the engine cover with oil and some was left down low. He cleaned it up pretty good, but I took it back and got a new engine cover. Maybe I just didn't see this oil until now so going to make sure before taking it back.

yes, this is a good idea. Use brake cleaner, it will clean out all old oil residual. Then drive it a couple of week and recheck.

Valve cover for BMW has been plastic for the last 20 years. They will leak, just matter of when. 32K seems a but early tho. And usually, it is not the gasket that goes back, it is the plastic warp due to heat cycles.

Bking60 · 10-22-2022, 01:50 PM

No leak but had me worried. I want to be the first one that does that job.

eelnoraa · 10-24-2022, 05:48 PM

maybe recheck in a week or two?? If leak just started, and it is mild, it will take a bit of time to show up.

For replacement, if you are out side of warranty already, I keep thinking with the after market support of B58, someone got to make an aluminum valve cover. Maybe start searching, and if time comes, instead of using OEM plastic again, use the after market Aluminum one. The cover should las the lift time of the engine, gasket will last much longer too.

09-26-2022, 05:09 PM	#1
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Valve cover leak I checked under the hood before my wife took a trip and just now checked again when she got back. Small to medium oil leak on passenger side. Not dripping on exhaust. Another warranty trip, 1.5 hours roundtrip plus more if we wait on it. Sort of glad because the 2nd gasket set always lasts longer if done right. I think the bolts have to replaced too, anyone know for sure? They sell them online so probably so.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-26-2022, 08:23 PM	#2
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1456 Rep 3,931 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	How many miles?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2022, 09:22 PM	#3
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	32600 miles
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2022, 05:47 PM	#4
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	I think I will clean this small amount of oil off and see if it comes back. Reason being is that the dealer tech did something once that soaked the underside of the engine cover with oil and some was left down low. He cleaned it up pretty good, but I took it back and got a new engine cover. Maybe I just didn't see this oil until now so going to make sure before taking it back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-22-2022, 01:50 PM	#6
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	No leak but had me worried. I want to be the first one that does that job.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2022, 05:48 PM	#7
eelnoraa Brigadier General 2033 Rep 3,681 Posts Drives: G05 X5 Join Date: May 2022 Location: SF Bay Area CA iTrader: (0)	maybe recheck in a week or two?? If leak just started, and it is mild, it will take a bit of time to show up. For replacement, if you are out side of warranty already, I keep thinking with the after market support of B58, someone got to make an aluminum valve cover. Maybe start searching, and if time comes, instead of using OEM plastic again, use the after market Aluminum one. The cover should las the lift time of the engine, gasket will last much longer too. __________________ 2022 G05 B58/PHEV + a few very old BMWs
	Appreciate 0 Quote