Has anybody ever said that a valve cover gasket job sucks on these cars? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

reelop19 · 01-13-2013, 10:36 AM

Just did the vcg, valvetronic motor gasket, and spark plugs. What a PITA. My parts cost was somewhere around $150 so I saved a ton of money over taking it to a shop

So anyways, if any of you guys local to Orlando need some help let me know or if you have a question just pm me. BTW the link below was super helpful (I have an 06 325i)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252

nOshi · 01-13-2013, 11:42 AM

good stuff, lol yea most things is a pita to do on this car .... well except changing the oil.

nOshi · 01-13-2013, 11:42 AM

good stuff, lol yea most things is a pita to do on this car .... well except changing the oil.

JB4 PWR · 01-13-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelop19

Just did the vcg, valvetronic motor gasket, and spark plugs. What a PITA. My parts cost was somewhere around $150 so I saved a ton of money over taking it to a shop

So anyways, if any of you guys local to Orlando need some help let me know or if you have a question just pm me. BTW the link below was super helpful (I have an 06 325i)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252

I'm gonna do mine next week, what was the most difficult part of it? Thanks

tphaeng · 01-13-2013, 07:07 PM

I'll be doing my valve cover gasket soon also. What was the hardest part of the job? And what tools did you need?

.fLip. · 01-13-2013, 08:17 PM

read that DIY. very informative and im prob gonna change that part at the same time i do my VC gasket in a few months. id hate to have to go thru all that again just do change that little part. preventive maintenance is what keeps these suckers on the road.

reelop19 · 01-13-2013, 08:37 PM

Honestly nothing was too hard it is just time consuming and tedious because there are so many parts, bolts, and wiring connections (clips holding those connections can be a b!tch). As far as tools I might take some time to make a good list. Off the top of my head:
Flat head screwdriver
Needle nose pliers and curved pick for clips around wiring connectors
5/8 spark plug socket if doing spark plugs
Socket set. I used 6.5 to 14 mm sockets (6.5 was for valvetronic motor bolts)
Various extensions for 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets
Definitely get swivel attachments for the ratchet for the back 3 bolts of the valve cover
Razor blade to take of any of the old gasket
Rag and solvent to clean gasket surface (I used carb cleaner)

I might think of some others later

reelop19 · 01-13-2013, 10:43 PM

T-25 bit to wind the valvetronic motor back into place

Viper3812 · 01-14-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelop19

T-25 bit to wind the valvetronic motor back into place

The valvetronic motor uses an allen 4mm I believe not a torx.

Viper3812 · 01-14-2013, 11:50 AM

The 2006 models (N52) are slightly different than the (N52K)07+ with the rubber gasket opposed to the metal gasket. The PITA part of the 07+ is making sure the gasket does not fall out when your seating it to the head.

reelop19 · 01-14-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper3812

The valvetronic motor uses an allen 4mm I believe not a torx.

Maybe you can use a 4mm (idk) but I used a t25 and it was a perfect fit

mlifxs · 01-15-2013, 08:24 PM

Congrats, OP. I do hear it's a PITA. I studied up on it and decided not to DIY. Cost me just under $800 for vcg at the dealer.

My biggest concern was the breaking the breather hose. How did you manage it?

reelop19 · 01-15-2013, 09:02 PM

Squeeze two tabs in and jimmy breather hose out (pull towards drivers side)

Viper3812 · 01-15-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlifxs

Congrats, OP. I do hear it's a PITA. I studied up on it and decided not to DIY. Cost me just under $800 for vcg at the dealer.

My biggest concern was the breaking the breather hose. How did you manage it?

Ouch....

reelop19 · 01-16-2013, 10:10 AM

$800 is why I did mine. I'm not at baller status or else I'd pay someone to do it.

01-13-2013, 10:36 AM	#1
reelop19 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 159 iTrader: (0)	Has anybody ever said that a valve cover gasket job sucks on these cars? Just did the vcg, valvetronic motor gasket, and spark plugs. What a PITA. My parts cost was somewhere around $150 so I saved a ton of money over taking it to a shop So anyways, if any of you guys local to Orlando need some help let me know or if you have a question just pm me. BTW the link below was super helpful (I have an 06 325i) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252
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01-13-2013, 11:42 AM	#2
nOshi the end to no means Drives: TiAg E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central FL Posts: 177 iTrader: (2)	good stuff, lol yea most things is a pita to do on this car .... well except changing the oil. __________________ TiAG E90 N54 335i \| COBB \| RB \| FBO

01-13-2013, 11:42 AM	#3
nOshi the end to no means Drives: TiAg E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central FL Posts: 177 iTrader: (2)	good stuff, lol yea most things is a pita to do on this car .... well except changing the oil. __________________ TiAG E90 N54 335i \| COBB \| RB \| FBO

01-15-2013, 09:02 PM	#13
reelop19 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 159 iTrader: (0)	Squeeze two tabs in and jimmy breather hose out (pull towards drivers side) Last edited by reelop19; 01-16-2013 at 10:09 AM.

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01-13-2013, 07:07 PM	#5
tphaeng Captain Drives: derrrty Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 652 iTrader: (3)	I'll be doing my valve cover gasket soon also. What was the hardest part of the job? And what tools did you need?

01-13-2013, 08:17 PM	#6
.fLip. no more coupe :( Drives: e90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Miami Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	read that DIY. very informative and im prob gonna change that part at the same time i do my VC gasket in a few months. id hate to have to go thru all that again just do change that little part. preventive maintenance is what keeps these suckers on the road.

01-13-2013, 08:37 PM	#7
reelop19 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 159 iTrader: (0)	Honestly nothing was too hard it is just time consuming and tedious because there are so many parts, bolts, and wiring connections (clips holding those connections can be a b!tch). As far as tools I might take some time to make a good list. Off the top of my head: Flat head screwdriver Needle nose pliers and curved pick for clips around wiring connectors 5/8 spark plug socket if doing spark plugs Socket set. I used 6.5 to 14 mm sockets (6.5 was for valvetronic motor bolts) Various extensions for 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets Definitely get swivel attachments for the ratchet for the back 3 bolts of the valve cover Razor blade to take of any of the old gasket Rag and solvent to clean gasket surface (I used carb cleaner) I might think of some others later

01-13-2013, 10:43 PM	#8
reelop19 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 159 iTrader: (0)	T-25 bit to wind the valvetronic motor back into place

01-14-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
Viper3812 Banned Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fl. Posts: 483 iTrader: (0)	The 2006 models (N52) are slightly different than the (N52K)07+ with the rubber gasket opposed to the metal gasket. The PITA part of the 07+ is making sure the gasket does not fall out when your seating it to the head.

01-15-2013, 08:24 PM	#12
mlifxs Diamond Geezer Drives: Jet Black 2007 328i Saloon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 916 iTrader: (0)	Congrats, OP. I do hear it's a PITA. I studied up on it and decided not to DIY. Cost me just under $800 for vcg at the dealer. My biggest concern was the breaking the breather hose. How did you manage it?

01-16-2013, 10:10 AM	#15
reelop19 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 159 iTrader: (0)	$800 is why I did mine. I'm not at baller status or else I'd pay someone to do it.