Valve cover gasket leak

GoRomeo · 08-22-2012, 07:35 PM

BMW shoud throw a RECALL on this issue in general even if you dont have warranty. Has anyone tried to contact BMWcorp to find out? Anyone?

2ndname · 08-22-2012, 08:19 PM

SO many freaking leaks. I wonder what kind of POS materials they used on these car. How many are you are dealing with both valve cover gasket leak and the oil pan gasket leak?

brant914 · 10-22-2012, 10:16 PM

bumping an old thread

I can't post a new one as I just jointed.
I just finished installing a new valve cover gasket on my 2006 and now the car turns over but will not start...

I don't know how to check fuel, spark ....
I've double checked all of the connections but realize it could be timing too
can anyone give me some advice on what to check first.

brant

aantar · 10-27-2012, 05:57 AM

I'm having almost the same issue , but i just have one question ... if it was just an issue of a broken bolt why do i have to replace the whole valve cover ? can't i just replace the broken bolt ? thanks in advance

Chriztofor · 10-27-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aantar

I'm having almost the same issue , but i just have one question ... if it was just an issue of a broken bolt why do i have to replace the whole valve cover ? can't i just replace the broken bolt ? thanks in advance

Try it and see if it works. You have nothing to lose.

bimmer14 · 10-27-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aantar

I'm having almost the same issue , but i just have one question ... if it was just an issue of a broken bolt why do i have to replace the whole valve cover ? can't i just replace the broken bolt ? thanks in advance

It won't work...and you will just waste the bolt. You can't just buy one, you have to get the set, and they are not reusable so if you tighten it down, it's done.

The reason it won't work is because once oil gets through on the gasket, the seal is broken. Since oil doesn't compress, when you tighten down a new bolt with oil in the seam, it won't seal and will continue to leak.

DON'T TAKE IT TO A DEALER...they will charge you $1000+. Find an Indy shop, and you'll get it done for around $400-$500.

gan_24 · 12-30-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sl0westz

the n52 motor valve cover gasket is not a big job but its not an easy job, remove microfilter housing, remove engine cover, remove bolts, remove ignition coil, remove harness on oneside, but the key is to remove the valvetronic motor, even with the valvtronic removed, its not easy to get the valvecover off (you got to play around with it) because the valvetronic motor houshing takes alot space in the valvecover, once you have it of, makesure put some silicone on your new gasket so they stick to the valvecover, that way gasket wont fall off when u put everything back in, if you want the bmw repair instructions, sent me your email. i can sent it to you. good luck

Hello bro, indeed the BMW repair instruction for e 90. Can you send me?
Thanks.

mlifxs · 12-30-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gan_24

Hello bro, indeed the BMW repair instruction for e 90. Can you send me?
Thanks.

the vcg is part of the diy below.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252

in order to replace eccentric shaft sensor, the author needed to remove the valve cover gasket to get to it. Thus there is some discussion of some of the steps noted in prev post.

I seriously considered the DIY but chickened out. Seems like it could be a long process if things go well, even longer if I were to break the breather hose. Plan to have it done this week.

nt_loader · 04-11-2013, 04:16 PM

VCG leak here as well, dealer detected it during an oil change. Quoted me 1500.00 for the job, I went to an indy and they quoted me 630. Guess who is doing the replacement?

yura290 · 04-13-2013, 06:47 PM

Another valve cover gasket leak here... Wow I thought I was the only one.

turbolicious · 04-29-2013, 10:29 AM

Im also facing the same issue..see estimate from bwm below:
OPERATION: 1112000 Valve Cover Gasket, r&r 328i/328xi 07/12

NOTES: ADD for additional seals as needed.

QTY PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION PART PRICE EXT PRICE
1 BM11-12-7-582-245 PROFILE-GASKET 55.06 55.06

MISC CODE MISC DESCRIPTION QUOTE MIN QUOTE MAX PRICE
10 SHOP SUPPLIES 0.00
16 ENVIRONMENTAL CHG 1.00 5.00 1.00

LABOR $: 794.31
PARTS $: 55.06
GOG $: 0.00
MISC. $: 1.00
TAX $: 3.31
------------------------
SUBTOTAL $: 853.68

subieworx · 05-10-2013, 11:05 AM

Just finished this job. Took a little under 2.5 hours from start to finish. Really a pretty job.

mapleridge · 07-06-2013, 12:18 AM

Question. If the lifters were done wouldn't the VCg be replaced as well? I see oil around and I had an oil change less than a month ago and i got the low oil warning.

xxxjecxxx · 07-07-2013, 04:10 PM

almost two years later, mine started leaking again. Up to two replacements now. It went a lot smoother the second time around.

I did not use torque the bolts second time around, just hand tighten.

To remove the breather hose without breaking it, I squeezed the outer part of the hose and pulled on the hose with a pliers from the other side. Hard to explain but I hope that helps.

Cir14 · 07-11-2013, 11:43 AM

I had mine replaced w/ new plugs & coils for ~$900 @ Helix in Philly

stormtrooper7 · 07-15-2013, 09:27 PM

So, I've run into the VCG leak and will most likely tackle it myself. A couple of questions I have are, how many bolts do I have to replace? I know there is a set available with 4 bolts and a set available with 12 (I think?)? Also, how do I get a part of a bolt out if I encounter one that is snapped?

cdgatti · 07-17-2013, 08:39 PM

It is really annoying. Why the f--- can't BMW make a gasket that doesn't leak? This is the kind of shit that drives people to more economical cars. If these cars continue to have these types of problems with the new lack of material quality they are trying to pass off with the f30, the future doesn't look good for them. Additionally the issue with the repair is the outrageous labor costs. Who the hell do these BMW grease monkeys think they are charging over $100/hr for their labor?

djzeratul · 07-23-2013, 12:54 PM

If you have an N51 SULEV motor and the car was originally purchased in California, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, you have a 15yr/150,000mi warranty on all parts related to emissions, which includes the valve cover and all related components. I have a 2009 328i with the N51 SULEV engine since I bought it in California.

I went to the dealer in November 2012 and they told me I had a leak in the VCG. Quoted me $1100 to fix, I said I couldn't afford the repair and drove on it. Went through maybe 1qt of oil every 4000mi, which was no big deal until about a week ago when it started really coming out, I went through a quart after about 2 weeks. I decided to save up my pennies and I took it in when they notified me about the e90 battery cable recall.

I had a bunch of money saved and I took it in to the dealer to get the battery cable recall done and flush brake lines/oil change under the extended maintenance plan, and was planning on asking them to do the VCG at the same time to knock it all out at once. Went with a new service advisor and he asked "so, did you ever get that VCG leak fixed? Maybe fix it yourself?" and when I replied that I had just been driving on it, he told me "dude, this repair should have been covered for free back in November under the SULEV warranty, I am going to speak to your previous service advisor..." and then after asking around realized the guy had been let go. He then told me that he would get the repair covered under SULEV and that if I ever had any problems with the fuel pump, valve cover, exhaust, fuel tank, basically anything related to emissions, it was covered under the SULEV warranty and if anyone didn't know about it to mention it, since there is somewhat limited knowledge of it in the service centers.

I looked into the warranty further and as long as your car was registered in any of those 4 states at some point in its lifetime, it is able to be given the extended warranty on emissions-related components (transfers when the car is sold to the new owner, regardless of where they live) for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

e90pilot · 07-23-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdgatti

It is really annoying. Why the f--- can't BMW make a gasket that doesn't leak? This is the kind of shit that drives people to more economical cars. If these cars continue to have these types of problems with the new lack of material quality they are trying to pass off with the f30, the future doesn't look good for them. Additionally the issue with the repair is the outrageous labor costs. Who the hell do these BMW grease monkeys think they are charging over $100/hr for their labor?

Every valve cover will eventually leak in any engine mounted with a slant. And those "grease monkeys" actually have to go to school for a while before they can touch the cars. They hardly get any of that labor cost. BMW of SF charges $198/hr which is I heard was among the top 5 most expensive in the country. I think they get around $20-25/hr starting. For comparison Ferrari of Silicon Valley charges $165/hr. I'm not sure how independent shops are though.

I've got a few friends who are techs. It's very similar to aviation, the industry I work in. You spend a fortune on your education and get paid like ass the first few years if your career. But eventually it pans out. Ok, enough off topic ranting for me. :-P

NC325i · 07-23-2013, 05:10 PM

I like many others have the valve cover gasket leak. 75K on the car and I discovered it a few thousand miles ago. Appears to leak or seep around a 1/4 quart per 1,000 miles. This isn't too bad but is enough that I would want to take care of it sooner rather than later.

I see from above that it is cheaper to go to an independent shop than to the dealership, but from everyone's experience, do they do the same quality of work that would be expected from the dealer? This is my first BMW so all the specialty maintenance is new to me. All previous cars were cheaper American cars that I could take to any old mechanic.

And are the gaskets used to replace bad or otherwise ruined gaskets are the same OEM gasket that is known to leak often, or has BMW or an aftermarket company released a gasket made of higher quality material that won't leak every 50-75k miles?

cdgatti · 07-23-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

Every valve cover will eventually leak in any engine mounted with a slant. And those "grease monkeys" actually have to go to school for a while before they can touch the cars. They hardly get any of that labor cost. BMW of SF charges $198/hr which is I heard was among the top 5 most expensive in the country. I think they get around $20-25/hr starting. For comparison Ferrari of Silicon Valley charges $165/hr. I'm not sure how independent shops are though.

I've got a few friends who are techs. It's very similar to aviation, the industry I work in. You spend a fortune on your education and get paid like ass the first few years if your career. But eventually it pans out. Ok, enough off topic ranting for me. :-P

I realize that BMW dealerships are making the labor money and the mechanics get very little of it. I have nothing against mechanics, I know plenty and they are usually great guys. And school, big deal... alot of people go to 4 years of college and make alot less than their pulling down. There is no excuse for the BMW reliability issues.

csupernova · 04-19-2014, 05:39 PM

Just finished replacing the valve cover gasket on my 330i. It was not fun at all. A lot of frustration and took me almost 7 hours to complete. Took me 1 hr to take the breather hose out. The most time consuming thing is to take out the valve cover. There are areas where it is hitting and I have to use some good force to finally pull it out. Putting it back is a pain too. All the wiring are in the way and you have to somehow tie them away. One of my bolt broke and that's why it is leaking. When I took out the gasket, I could see other areas are not leaking. I could have just replace that broken bolt without replacing the gasket.
The gasket is made out of metal with some kind of rubber coating. Unlike the later E90 model where it uses rubber gasket and they could turn hard and brittle, I don't see how this metal gasket could go bad. I could be wrong though. Anyway, please ask any question you might have if you're considering doing this yourself. The process is still fresh on my mind.
One more thing, there is no spark plug sleeve that you need to take out on my 330I. Also, the valvetronic gasket is different on my car too compare to 328.

08-22-2012, 07:35 PM	#111
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	BMW shoud throw a RECALL on this issue in general even if you dont have warranty. Has anyone tried to contact BMWcorp to find out? Anyone?
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08-22-2012, 08:19 PM	#112
2ndname Autobot 5 Rep 454 Posts Drives: E90 325i Auto~NO~Go Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: East Bay iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [10.00]	SO many freaking leaks. I wonder what kind of POS materials they used on these car. How many are you are dealing with both valve cover gasket leak and the oil pan gasket leak?
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10-22-2012, 10:16 PM	#113
brant914 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: colorado iTrader: (0)	bumping an old thread I can't post a new one as I just jointed. I just finished installing a new valve cover gasket on my 2006 and now the car turns over but will not start... I don't know how to check fuel, spark .... I've double checked all of the connections but realize it could be timing too can anyone give me some advice on what to check first. brant
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10-27-2012, 05:57 AM	#114
aantar Enlisted Member 18 Rep 41 Posts Drives: F82 M4 \| F16 X6 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UAE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F16 X6 50i [0.00] 2016 F82 M4 [0.00]	I'm having almost the same issue , but i just have one question ... if it was just an issue of a broken bolt why do i have to replace the whole valve cover ? can't i just replace the broken bolt ? thanks in advance __________________ 2007 E90 330i - 272 bhp \| 1999 E46 323i - 170 bhp
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04-11-2013, 04:16 PM	#119
nt_loader Private 0 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	VCG leak here as well, dealer detected it during an oil change. Quoted me 1500.00 for the job, I went to an indy and they quoted me 630. Guess who is doing the replacement?
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04-13-2013, 06:47 PM	#120
yura290 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NW iTrader: (0)	Another valve cover gasket leak here... Wow I thought I was the only one.
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04-29-2013, 10:29 AM	#121
turbolicious New Member 0 Rep 20 Posts Drives: E92-328i, Miata, CBR600 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loganville GA iTrader: (0)	Im also facing the same issue..see estimate from bwm below: OPERATION: 1112000 Valve Cover Gasket, r&r 328i/328xi 07/12 NOTES: ADD for additional seals as needed. QTY PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION PART PRICE EXT PRICE 1 BM11-12-7-582-245 PROFILE-GASKET 55.06 55.06 MISC CODE MISC DESCRIPTION QUOTE MIN QUOTE MAX PRICE 10 SHOP SUPPLIES 0.00 16 ENVIRONMENTAL CHG 1.00 5.00 1.00 LABOR $: 794.31 PARTS $: 55.06 GOG $: 0.00 MISC. $: 1.00 TAX $: 3.31 ------------------------ SUBTOTAL $: 853.68
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05-10-2013, 11:05 AM	#122
subieworx Lieutenant 30 Rep 468 Posts Drives: 07 335 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	Just finished this job. Took a little under 2.5 hours from start to finish. Really a pretty job.
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07-06-2013, 12:18 AM	#123
mapleridge Banned 151 Rep 2,638 Posts Drives: E90 N52 AT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	Question. If the lifters were done wouldn't the VCg be replaced as well? I see oil around and I had an oil change less than a month ago and i got the low oil warning.
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07-07-2013, 04:10 PM	#124
xxxjecxxx Banned 247 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F30 335i M sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	almost two years later, mine started leaking again. Up to two replacements now. It went a lot smoother the second time around. I did not use torque the bolts second time around, just hand tighten. To remove the breather hose without breaking it, I squeezed the outer part of the hose and pulled on the hose with a pliers from the other side. Hard to explain but I hope that helps.
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07-11-2013, 11:43 AM	#125
Cir14 Private First Class 1 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 11 328xi M-Sport Sedan Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ambler pa iTrader: (0)	I had mine replaced w/ new plugs & coils for ~$900 @ Helix in Philly
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07-15-2013, 09:27 PM	#126
stormtrooper7 Private First Class 14 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Winnipeg, CANADA iTrader: (0)	So, I've run into the VCG leak and will most likely tackle it myself. A couple of questions I have are, how many bolts do I have to replace? I know there is a set available with 4 bolts and a set available with 12 (I think?)? Also, how do I get a part of a bolt out if I encounter one that is snapped?
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07-17-2013, 08:39 PM	#127
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	It is really annoying. Why the f--- can't BMW make a gasket that doesn't leak? This is the kind of shit that drives people to more economical cars. If these cars continue to have these types of problems with the new lack of material quality they are trying to pass off with the f30, the future doesn't look good for them. Additionally the issue with the repair is the outrageous labor costs. Who the hell do these BMW grease monkeys think they are charging over $100/hr for their labor? __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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07-23-2013, 12:54 PM	#128
djzeratul Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2009 328i e90 65Kmi Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	If you have an N51 SULEV motor and the car was originally purchased in California, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, you have a 15yr/150,000mi warranty on all parts related to emissions, which includes the valve cover and all related components. I have a 2009 328i with the N51 SULEV engine since I bought it in California. I went to the dealer in November 2012 and they told me I had a leak in the VCG. Quoted me $1100 to fix, I said I couldn't afford the repair and drove on it. Went through maybe 1qt of oil every 4000mi, which was no big deal until about a week ago when it started really coming out, I went through a quart after about 2 weeks. I decided to save up my pennies and I took it in when they notified me about the e90 battery cable recall. I had a bunch of money saved and I took it in to the dealer to get the battery cable recall done and flush brake lines/oil change under the extended maintenance plan, and was planning on asking them to do the VCG at the same time to knock it all out at once. Went with a new service advisor and he asked "so, did you ever get that VCG leak fixed? Maybe fix it yourself?" and when I replied that I had just been driving on it, he told me "dude, this repair should have been covered for free back in November under the SULEV warranty, I am going to speak to your previous service advisor..." and then after asking around realized the guy had been let go. He then told me that he would get the repair covered under SULEV and that if I ever had any problems with the fuel pump, valve cover, exhaust, fuel tank, basically anything related to emissions, it was covered under the SULEV warranty and if anyone didn't know about it to mention it, since there is somewhat limited knowledge of it in the service centers. I looked into the warranty further and as long as your car was registered in any of those 4 states at some point in its lifetime, it is able to be given the extended warranty on emissions-related components (transfers when the car is sold to the new owner, regardless of where they live) for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
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07-23-2013, 05:10 PM	#130
NC325i Private 9 Rep 54 Posts Drives: E90 325i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I like many others have the valve cover gasket leak. 75K on the car and I discovered it a few thousand miles ago. Appears to leak or seep around a 1/4 quart per 1,000 miles. This isn't too bad but is enough that I would want to take care of it sooner rather than later. I see from above that it is cheaper to go to an independent shop than to the dealership, but from everyone's experience, do they do the same quality of work that would be expected from the dealer? This is my first BMW so all the specialty maintenance is new to me. All previous cars were cheaper American cars that I could take to any old mechanic. And are the gaskets used to replace bad or otherwise ruined gaskets are the same OEM gasket that is known to leak often, or has BMW or an aftermarket company released a gasket made of higher quality material that won't leak every 50-75k miles?
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04-19-2014, 05:39 PM	#132
csupernova Captain 32 Rep 606 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (7)	Just finished replacing the valve cover gasket on my 330i. It was not fun at all. A lot of frustration and took me almost 7 hours to complete. Took me 1 hr to take the breather hose out. The most time consuming thing is to take out the valve cover. There are areas where it is hitting and I have to use some good force to finally pull it out. Putting it back is a pain too. All the wiring are in the way and you have to somehow tie them away. One of my bolt broke and that's why it is leaking. When I took out the gasket, I could see other areas are not leaking. I could have just replace that broken bolt without replacing the gasket. The gasket is made out of metal with some kind of rubber coating. Unlike the later E90 model where it uses rubber gasket and they could turn hard and brittle, I don't see how this metal gasket could go bad. I could be wrong though. Anyway, please ask any question you might have if you're considering doing this yourself. The process is still fresh on my mind. One more thing, there is no spark plug sleeve that you need to take out on my 330I. Also, the valvetronic gasket is different on my car too compare to 328.
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