[james008]

Was getting a misfire on cylider 3, pulled the engine cover swapped coils over and still same misfire p0303. Discovered some dark material in the spark plug hole and a pool of oil nearby which looks like it is coming from valve cover? Here are some pics. I am about a quart low on oil. I drive 30 miles each way to work sometimes it misfires a lot then other times not at all.

[Fully_Bolted]

The oil fill is near there, could just be spilt oil. I'd try to clean it and check it again.

[Rotorocious]

Possible.
I had a valve cover leak that caused my spark plug and injector to prematurely fail on a cylinder.

[james008]

Anymore input? How important is replacing the 26 bolts? They are expensive.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

Anymore input? How important is replacing the 26 bolts? They are expensive.

I have done 4 and never replaced them but all cars where one when cold...hot motor with aluminum bolts = easily stretching/snapping a bolt

Here is a tutorial I wrote:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317

Depending on the miles I would suggest replacing the entire valve cover...I am they are on sale at ECS tuning as of now. If you go this route it comes with the 26 bolts and gasket.

[james008]

Originally Posted by robc1976

I have done 4 and never replaced them but all cars where one when cold...hot motor with aluminum bolts = easily stretching/snapping a bolt

Here is a tutorial I wrote:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317

Depending on the miles I would suggest replacing the entire valve cover...I am they are on sale at ECS tuning as of now. If you go this route it comes with the 26 bolts and gasket.

Yeah, just saw the valve cover is cracked!!! on an 09? Is this at all normal?
in the first picture you can see the crack just to the right of the injector. I have already ordered the gasket, not the bolts, valve cover from bmwpartstore is $296. Now Im on a price search.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

Yeah, just saw the valve cover is cracked!!! on an 09? Is this at all normal?
in the first picture you can see the crack just to the right of the injector. I have already ordered the gasket, not the bolts, valve cover from bmwpartstore is $296. Now Im on a price search.

That sucks man, look at the service record of your car, if the gasket was replaced....whoever replaced it cracked it.

[james008]

ECS Tuning has best price so far and it includes gasket and bolts.
My goal is to take two days and tackle the following:
-Valve Cover & VC Gasket
-Scrub the carbon off the intake valves
-New Spark plugs

Any other big things I should do while around this area and these things removed?

[bv1]

Check your oil filter housing for leaks.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

ECS Tuning has best price so far and it includes gasket and bolts.
My goal is to take two days and tackle the following:
-Valve Cover & VC Gasket
-Scrub the carbon off the intake valves
-New Spark plugs

Any other big things I should do while around this area and these things removed?

I would order a new check valve from the deler/vendor and a upgraded PCV valve from RobBeck.

[james008]

What is a check valve? In my search it looks like an inline fiter of some sort?
Is there a website I can order these things?

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

What is a check valve? In my search it looks like an inline fiter of some sort?
Is there a website I can order these things?

iwill send you PM

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

What is a check valve? In my search it looks like an inline fiter of some sort?
Is there a website I can order these things?

here ya go:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...53949/ES19642/

[james008]

For anyone thinking about doing the Valve Cover Gasket or valve cover themselves GO FOR IT.
It wasn't a bad DIY at all. I replaced my entire valve cover gasket and bolts, I had a crack in the valve cover. THe gasket was in very good condition my bet is the previous owner had it replaced or replaced it himself and cracked the cover trying to remove it.
The cover was stuck on there pretty good and takes a little shaking and patience to get it off and same with putting the new one back on.

All and all I did Downpipes a few weeks ago and that was a WAY BIGGER PITA than this. I have tomorrow off so I am going to have a go at cleaning my intake valves since half the stuff is removed anyway. Bought a gun cleaning kit from walmart for $17 and 3 cans of carb cleaner. Hope it goes as smooth.

total cost for VCG was about $300 ECS sells the whole package blts, gasket, and cover. Alot better than $1000 or more at the stealership.

Last note I hand tightened the 26 bolts and am going to leave them over night before torqueing them to 7 pounds and I started from the center bolts and worked my way out, by the time I got to the edges the center ones were easliy tightened more by hand. I don't want to crack this cover.

I noticed a lot of oil in my check valve tube I guess I might want to get an Oil Catch Can.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by james008

For anyone thinking about doing the Valve Cover Gasket or valve cover themselves GO FOR IT.
It wasn't a bad DIY at all. I replaced my entire valve cover gasket and bolts, I had a crack in the valve cover. THe gasket was in very good condition my bet is the previous owner had it replaced or replaced it himself and cracked the cover trying to remove it.
The cover was stuck on there pretty good and takes a little shaking and patience to get it off and same with putting the new one back on.

All and all I did Downpipes a few weeks ago and that was a WAY BIGGER PITA than this. I have tomorrow off so I am going to have a go at cleaning my intake valves since half the stuff is removed anyway. Bought a gun cleaning kit from walmart for $17 and 3 cans of carb cleaner. Hope it goes as smooth.

total cost for VCG was about $300 ECS sells the whole package blts, gasket, and cover. Alot better than $1000 or more at the stealership.

Last note I hand tightened the 26 bolts and am going to leave them over night before torqueing them to 7 pounds and I started from the center bolts and worked my way out, by the time I got to the edges the center ones were easliy tightened more by hand. I don't want to crack this cover.

I noticed a lot of oil in my check valve tube I guess I might want to get an Oil Catch Can.

awesome man!!