Valve Cover Gasket DIY?

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Hi guys,

I am planning to purchase a 2010 E90. Upon PPI today it has a very slight Valve cover gasket leak, which i was informed is not a big deal as it's a very gradual leak. They said I should take care of it within a year and keep an eye on it to make sure it's not getting worse.

It looks like it will be between 600-1000 for an indy shop to replace the gaskets. Is this something I can do? I see the E46 DIY which seems pretty straightforward, but can't seem to track down any info on a DIY for the E9X.

I have done a couple Nissan gaskets and am pretty handy.

[thekurgan]

You can do it, just watch out for the areas where you are supposed to apply the Drei Bond 1209, like the hard corners in the rear. If you did the E46, you can do the S65, look here for the plenum removal DIY and you can go from there.

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Originally Posted by thekurgan

You can do it, just watch out for the areas where you are supposed to apply the Drei Bond 1209, like the hard corners in the rear. If you did the E46, you can do the S65, look here for the plenum removal DIY and you can go from there.

I have not done the E46, just saw the DIY for it. The only valve covers I've done are on Nissans.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by alxmlr789

I have not done the E46, just saw the DIY for it. The only valve covers I've done are on Nissans.

There are very few "gotchas" on the BMW V8s. It's mostly disassembly PITA, shitty plastic that splits from heat, dropping screws, etc. It's a good time to dig around and lubricate the throttle actuators, they are also a shitty design in a shitty location on the S65.

[STooK]

Are you talking about the passenger side of the engine right under the oil cap? I thought I had a valve leak too but it's actually some oil that dripped down from the cap (after oil change maybe) that pools there that makes it seem like a leak. I would try cleaning it up first to see if it happens again, just so you don't end up changing it for no reason.

[anom3]

+1.

Known S65 issue. The oil cap tends to "sweat" a bit.

BMW did release an upgraded oil cap in one of the model years, which I ordered... Still sweats though :/

Originally Posted by STooK

Are you talking about the passenger side of the engine right under the oil cap? I thought I had a valve leak too but it's actually some oil that dripped down from the cap (after oil change maybe) that pools there that makes it seem like a leak. I would try cleaning it up first to see if it happens again, just so you don't end up changing it for no reason.

[Shredicus]

Originally Posted by anom3

+1.

Known S65 issue. The oil cap tends to "sweat" a bit.

BMW did release an upgraded oil cap in one of the model years, which I ordered... Still sweats though :/

I ordered the new style cap, still sweated, then took another member's advice and double gasketed it. Since I had my old cap I removed the gasket and cleaned the oil off, applied some black RTV and sandwiched it together with the new one. Seals nice and tight now, just make sure if you unscrew the cap you wipe off any sand/dirt that collects under the cap to keep it from messing up the seal.

[anom3]

awesome idea.

since like u i got the old style cap, ill reuse the seal from there.

thanks!

Originally Posted by Shredicus

I ordered the new style cap, still sweated, then took another member's advice and double gasketed it. Since I had my old cap I removed the gasket and cleaned the oil off, applied some black RTV and sandwiched it together with the new one. Seals nice and tight now, just make sure if you unscrew the cap you wipe off any sand/dirt that collects under the cap to keep it from messing up the seal.

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by STooK

Are you talking about the passenger side of the engine right under the oil cap? I thought I had a valve leak too but it's actually some oil that dripped down from the cap (after oil change maybe) that pools there that makes it seem like a leak. I would try cleaning it up first to see if it happens again, just so you don't end up changing it for no reason.

No sir, just some old oil around the valve cover gaskets. Both sides are leaking.

[thekurgan]

I don't believe it's the seal, but the powder coating as it's not a smooth surface to mate with the cap seal. That is an area where oil is constantly splashed upon. Also, the inner cap seal rotates, and I think they get jammed up and then bind, destroying the rubber.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by alxmlr789

No sir, just some old oil around the valve cover gaskets. Both sides are leaking.

Pick up some UV dye and run it in the oil for a week or two and then check with a UV light, it makes it very easy to spot the seeping.