[The_E92_Fan]

I need to replace my valve cover gasket really soon, and its time to order one. Is there a "best" brand that has more longevity than others?

[Efthreeoh]

Just use a gasket sealer/maker with the install of the new gasket. I recommend Permatex Black. I used P-tex black on both my OPG and VCG over 40,000 miles and 2 years ago for the oil pan, and 30,000 miles and a bit over a year ago on the valve cover. Both are still tight as a drum.

And when you use a gasket sealer/maker product... "less is more" (i.e. better). The gaskets just need a light skim coat of the product.

[Boland01]

When I changed ours I just used a BMW VCG gasket so I'm sure in another 60K miles it will leak again. I know Honda and others use gasket sealer and they rarely have issues. Efthreeoh ,if you would let us know how it works out long term for you I might just try the sealer route next go around. Did you torque the bolts to the BMW spec?

[The_E92_Fan]

there are a lot of permatex black products out there it seems. can you point me to the one you used? also, would i coat both top and bottom of the gasket where it makes contact with the VC and head?

[robthewrench]

Permatex ultra black is what I use on various other cars for this same job.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by The_E90_Fan

there are a lot of permatex black products out there it seems. can you point me to the one you used? also, would i coat both top and bottom of the gasket where it makes contact with the VC and head?

Ultra Black just like Rob noted. All is needed is a good but light even coating on both sides. Too much and it defeats the purpose. Torque bolts to spec. The design of the insides of the bottom end is really the issue. The oil drips off the windage tray right onto the right side of the engine right onto the part line between the oil pan and the bottom of the engine block. The engine is canted clockwise about 15 deg. so the oil drips off to the right-side of the engine. That's why you never see leakage at the oil pan on the left side of the block.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by robthewrench

Permatex ultra black is what I use on various other cars for this same job.

Yup. That's what I use too. Thick and sticky. Sets up great.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Just use a gasket sealer/maker with the install of the new gasket. I recommend Permatex Black. I used P-tex black on both my OPG and VCG over 40,000 miles and 2 years ago for the oil pan, and 30,000 miles and a bit over a year ago on the valve cover. Both are still tight as a drum.

And when you use a gasket sealer/maker product... "less is more" (i.e. better). The gaskets just need a light skim coat of the product.

Just to be clear.

You install the new gasket and put a skim coat of ultra black on the head and the gasket that has been pressed into the the valve cover and then put the valve cover on the head and begin to tighten down the valve cover to the head?

I ask because I have a valve cover gasket leak after probably 22,000 miles on the one I put on in late August of 2016. 😡 it's leaking on the firewall corner of the passenger side. Imagine that. This is the 3rd valve cover gasket in 150,000 Miles 😡. First one at 92k. Second one at 127-8k and now another one. I'm pretty sure the valve cover does not have a crack in it. At least it did not at 127k.

Please Advise....

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Just to be clear.

You install the new gasket and put a skim coat of ultra black on the head and the gasket that has been pressed into the the valve cover and then put the valve cover on the head and begin to tighten down the valve cover to the head?

I ask because I have a valve cover gasket leak after probably 22,000 miles on the one I put on in late August of 2016. 😡 it's leaking on the firewall corner of the passenger side. Imagine that. This is the 3rd valve cover gasket in 150,000 Miles 😡. First one at 92k. Second one at 127-8k and now another one. I'm pretty sure the valve cover does not have a crack in it. At least it did not at 127k.

Please Advise....

I just put a skim coat on both sides of the gasket and reassembled like normal. Mine is a '06 so it has the magnesium valve cover. I think the plastic valve covers are one time use only, from what I've read about them. I have the plastic version in my Z4 but it's leak free after 78,000.

[mecheng77]

Are you using the OEM gasket? I heard they improved the rubber formulation.

[simon]

I used OEM gasket and permatex black over 5 years ago and still no leaks!

Simon

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Are you using the OEM gasket? I heard they improved the rubber formulation.

Yes, I even used Ultra Black. So, I am a little surprised and frustrated that I am at 22k and I have a leak.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Are you using the OEM gasket? I heard they improved the rubber formulation.

Yup. Whatever version BMW was producing 18 months ago.

[Bimmer Pleaser]

hey guys, I replaced my leaky valve cover gasket at about 75k miles with an after market one. Today at about 108k and a couple years later I realized it is leaking pretty bad. I check the gaskets about once a couple of week so this came out of nowhere. Is it normal for the gasket to suddenly bust? This is a rubbery part with no electrical/moving components so shouldn't it wear gradually as oppose to a sudden failure?

I do understand that in hindsight I should have probably used OEM.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Pleaser

hey guys, I replaced my leaky valve cover gasket at about 75k miles with an after market one. Today at about 108k and a couple years later I realized it is leaking pretty bad. I check the gaskets about once a couple of week so this came out of nowhere. Is it normal for the gasket to suddenly bust? This is a rubbery part with no electrical/moving components so shouldn't it wear gradually as oppose to a sudden failure?

I do understand that in hindsight I should have probably used OEM.

I'm in the same boat and used ultra black & oem gasket. Idk.... extreme heat from n54...

I have to replace mine in the next month. Parts on order.

There's gotta be an answer to the northwest rear, firewall corner.

I'm not sure I put a skim coat in the grove where the gasket goes, press the gasket in and then add a skim coat on top of the gasket before placing the valve cover back on the head to be tightened down.

I think I just put a skim coat on the gasket after I pressed it in. It makes sense to put some in the grove where the gasket is pressed in, now that I think about it.

Back to the drawing board.

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I'm in the same boat and used ultra black & oem gasket. Idk.... extreme heat from n54...

I have to replace mine in the next month. Parts on order.

There's gotta be an answer to the northwest rear, firewall corner.

I'm not sure I put a skim coat in the grove where the gasket goes, press the gasket in and then add a skim coat on top of the gasket before placing the valve cover back on the head to be tightened down.

I think I just put a skim coat on the gasket after I pressed it in. It makes sense to put some in the grove where the gasket is pressed in, now that I think about it.

Back to the drawing board.

I was taking a sharp turn and decided to floor it a little to fish tail; then a cloud of smoke came into the cabin. Right there I new VCG was busted. Stopped the car, opened hood and and saw oil near eccentric shaft actuator. It could be the eccentric shaft actuator gasket but at this point it doesn't matter as both have to be replaced.

rats.