Valve cover job

jophish17 · 02-27-2018, 01:38 PM

Wife has an e92 328. Valve cover gasket needs to be replaced - took the car to a new indie shop (we just moved) and they told me that they would need to also replace the valve cover itself. I've owned multiple BMWs so I understand the gaskets go bad, but I've never read or heard about replacing the cover itself when replacing the gasket. The advisor said they do this to ensure proper fit and no warping. I know warping can happen but don't know 1. How prevalent warping is, nor 2. If replacing the cover really helps.

Seemed to me like bs but I thought I'd check with the forum before jumping to conclusions - thoughts? Thanks

CTinline-six · 02-27-2018, 01:47 PM

The cover is plastic, and can both warp and crack. Cracks seem more common than warping.

From their perspective, I can see how replacing the cover might prevent them from having to do the job twice, but I'd be interested to see how much their markup is on the cover.

It is probably part preventative, and also a bit of parts markup for them.

El Cheapo Loco · 02-27-2018, 02:07 PM

I can understand the logic of the shop. If I were to guarantee my work for 2 years, I would also insist on replacing the VC as well. As a business owner, his concern is the warranty. His earnings can be wiped out if/when your 10yo VC cracks within his warranty period.

Noir · 02-27-2018, 03:32 PM

10/10, would bite the bullet and get the cover too. I'd rather be safe than sorry. As aforementioned, it is plastic. Soft easily broken/altered, plastic.

Hope it works out for you either way!

frisbeeguy · 02-27-2018, 05:13 PM

Warped valve covers are actually pretty common. Mine also had a warped cover...I replaced the gasket the first time and it still continued to leak in the rear passenger corner, so I replaced the cover and problem solved.

jophish17 · 02-27-2018, 07:48 PM

Great info everyone! Certainly made the case to sway me in a different path. I appreciate it

mattpete13 · 02-28-2018, 05:52 AM

great example of how helpful this place can be - kudos to all!

Xencer · 03-01-2018, 02:36 PM

Never had a problem with mine, only replace the cover if it is decective

Needbmwpartzz · 03-01-2018, 02:40 PM

They are trying to do the job 100% correctly......but i really don't think it's absolutely necessary to do unless vC is in fact cracked/warped.

desertman123 · 03-01-2018, 02:59 PM

Can confirm, my valve cover was cracked.

Also the CCV is in the valve cover, so it'd be nice to get a new one of those.

PhaseP · 03-02-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Also the CCV is in the valve cover, so it'd be nice to get a new one of those.

+1

JTWCT · 03-08-2018, 11:59 AM

If you have a N51 SULEV motor in certain states, you should be able to get that replaced for free due to their extended warranty.

02-27-2018, 01:38 PM	#1
jophish17 Lieutenant 59 Rep 429 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Decatur, GA iTrader: (0)	Valve cover job - replace the cover? Wife has an e92 328. Valve cover gasket needs to be replaced - took the car to a new indie shop (we just moved) and they told me that they would need to also replace the valve cover itself. I've owned multiple BMWs so I understand the gaskets go bad, but I've never read or heard about replacing the cover itself when replacing the gasket. The advisor said they do this to ensure proper fit and no warping. I know warping can happen but don't know 1. How prevalent warping is, nor 2. If replacing the cover really helps. Seemed to me like bs but I thought I'd check with the forum before jumping to conclusions - thoughts? Thanks
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02-27-2018, 01:47 PM	#2
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6888 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	The cover is plastic, and can both warp and crack. Cracks seem more common than warping. From their perspective, I can see how replacing the cover might prevent them from having to do the job twice, but I'd be interested to see how much their markup is on the cover. It is probably part preventative, and also a bit of parts markup for them. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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02-27-2018, 02:07 PM	#3
El Cheapo Loco douchebaggo 186 Rep 972 Posts Drives: stick Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	I can understand the logic of the shop. If I were to guarantee my work for 2 years, I would also insist on replacing the VC as well. As a business owner, his concern is the warranty. His earnings can be wiped out if/when your 10yo VC cracks within his warranty period.
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02-27-2018, 03:32 PM	#4
Noir Major 883 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (1)	10/10, would bite the bullet and get the cover too. I'd rather be safe than sorry. As aforementioned, it is plastic. Soft easily broken/altered, plastic. Hope it works out for you either way! __________________ See you, space cowboy. *Supercharged*
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02-27-2018, 05:13 PM	#5
frisbeeguy Private First Class 65 Rep 195 Posts Drives: BMW,Tesla, etc. Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Tesla Model 3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i [0.00]	Warped valve covers are actually pretty common. Mine also had a warped cover...I replaced the gasket the first time and it still continued to leak in the rear passenger corner, so I replaced the cover and problem solved.
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02-27-2018, 07:48 PM	#6
jophish17 Lieutenant 59 Rep 429 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Decatur, GA iTrader: (0)	Great info everyone! Certainly made the case to sway me in a different path. I appreciate it
	Appreciate 1 Noir883.00 Quote

02-28-2018, 05:52 AM	#7
mattpete13 First Lieutenant 122 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 6mt Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SE MA iTrader: (2)	great example of how helpful this place can be - kudos to all!
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03-01-2018, 02:36 PM	#8
Xencer Enlisted Member 11 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Never had a problem with mine, only replace the cover if it is decective
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03-01-2018, 02:40 PM	#9
Needbmwpartzz Colonel 854 Rep 2,793 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i x-drive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo iTrader: (0)	They are trying to do the job 100% correctly......but i really don't think it's absolutely necessary to do unless vC is in fact cracked/warped.
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03-01-2018, 02:59 PM	#10
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2216 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Can confirm, my valve cover was cracked. Also the CCV is in the valve cover, so it'd be nice to get a new one of those. __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
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03-08-2018, 11:59 AM	#12
JTWCT Private First Class 13 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 09 328xi E92 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfield County, Connecticut iTrader: (4)	If you have a N51 SULEV motor in certain states, you should be able to get that replaced for free due to their extended warranty.
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