2006 325i Valve Cover Gasket Leaking?? Or Something Else??

Kev325i · 05-25-2010, 08:46 PM

Hi All,
I have a 2006 325i with 102,xxx miles. I purchased it back in February (For a great price) and knew it was leaking oil.
It appears that is coming from right around the valve cover gasket. I can see leakage all around it. My concern is that there is pooling around the engine and in the bottom tray of the car, and my garage is covered with a large spot of oil! Is this a possible cause of just a vcg or is there something else leaking too?
Anyways, I plan on doing the valve cover gasket myself. Can anyone give me a heads up on some pointers?
I figure for about $60 for the gasket and new bolts, and some time and swearing, it sure beats paying a dealer!

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Kevin

GMWNashville · 05-25-2010, 09:36 PM

its a bit of a pain to get the valve cover off...be sure to buy a good torque wrench and understand torque angle...the bolts must be replaced as they are aluminum. typically it leaks due to the bolts breaking..

bmw6953 · 05-25-2010, 09:40 PM

I have an 06 325i and I have had my valve cover gasket replaced. check your oil filter housing for any leaks. I had both leaking and alot of oil was leaking out and was gathering all around the bottom tray

Chriztofor · 05-26-2010, 11:06 AM

Search the diy forum. You can't be the first one doing this. If you are, post pics!!!!!

m3beemer16 · 05-26-2010, 04:35 PM

I just did mine. Sorry didn't do a DIY, but it is a pain... If its your first time doing it give yourself atleast 4 hours if not more. I am sure we can do it around 3 hours now that we have done it. Getting the cover is a PITA! Everything has to be removed as BMW designed pretty much everything to get in the way!

Also, on mine the two front bolts were broken which was causing the leak.

Blah937 · 01-11-2011, 03:40 AM

What tools were used in the process? Does anyone knwo the torque-angle specs?

bumere90 · 02-09-2011, 06:26 PM

I also would to know the specs because I will be replacing my VCG next week and don't wanna break any bolts.

brant914 · 10-22-2012, 10:15 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

bumere90 · 10-23-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brant914

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

Check the wiring and connections again
I am pretty sure you forgot to connect something

Volasko · 10-30-2012, 10:42 PM

If you have an 06, the valve head bolts are known to break. I only noticed my broken head when I swapped my plugs. To properly see all the head bolts you need to remove the plastic cover, which involves removing the upper plastic section and wires (roughly 1 hour to DIY and install). I got it fixed under warranty but have heard trying to DIY it yourself isn't as straight forward as you would think (if that is worth anything...).

TheTal0n · 10-30-2012, 11:55 PM

Check your head bolts and oil filter housing gasket first, see if oil is seeping from under the housing, so it would be hidden from sight but not touch.

GMWNashville · 10-31-2012, 08:50 PM

Are you sure you hooked the ground up which goes to the valve cover?

nate5ks · 11-01-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volkswackin

Are you sure you hooked the ground up which goes to the valve cover?

+1
One of these bolts broke on me and my engine was misfiring like crazy

05-25-2010, 08:46 PM	#1
Kev325i Enlisted Member 2 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 E93 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Akron Ohio iTrader: (1)	2006 325i Valve Cover Gasket Leaking?? Or Something Else?? Hi All, I have a 2006 325i with 102,xxx miles. I purchased it back in February (For a great price) and knew it was leaking oil. It appears that is coming from right around the valve cover gasket. I can see leakage all around it. My concern is that there is pooling around the engine and in the bottom tray of the car, and my garage is covered with a large spot of oil! Is this a possible cause of just a vcg or is there something else leaking too? Anyways, I plan on doing the valve cover gasket myself. Can anyone give me a heads up on some pointers? I figure for about $60 for the gasket and new bolts, and some time and swearing, it sure beats paying a dealer! Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks, Kevin
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05-25-2010, 09:36 PM	#2
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	its a bit of a pain to get the valve cover off...be sure to buy a good torque wrench and understand torque angle...the bolts must be replaced as they are aluminum. typically it leaks due to the bolts breaking..
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05-25-2010, 09:40 PM	#3
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	I have an 06 325i and I have had my valve cover gasket replaced. check your oil filter housing for any leaks. I had both leaking and alot of oil was leaking out and was gathering all around the bottom tray
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05-26-2010, 11:06 AM	#4
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Search the diy forum. You can't be the first one doing this. If you are, post pics!!!!!
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05-26-2010, 04:35 PM	#5
m3beemer16 Private 6 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 AW, 1995 M3 AW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: soCal iTrader: (0)	I just did mine. Sorry didn't do a DIY, but it is a pain... If its your first time doing it give yourself atleast 4 hours if not more. I am sure we can do it around 3 hours now that we have done it. Getting the cover is a PITA! Everything has to be removed as BMW designed pretty much everything to get in the way! Also, on mine the two front bolts were broken which was causing the leak.
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01-11-2011, 03:40 AM	#6
Blah937 New Member 7 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	What tools were used in the process? Does anyone knwo the torque-angle specs?
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02-09-2011, 06:26 PM	#7
bumere90 Grozniy 177 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: Carless Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (12)	I also would to know the specs because I will be replacing my VCG next week and don't wanna break any bolts.
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10-22-2012, 10:15 PM	#8
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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10-30-2012, 10:42 PM	#10
Volasko Colonel 705 Rep 2,605 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	If you have an 06, the valve head bolts are known to break. I only noticed my broken head when I swapped my plugs. To properly see all the head bolts you need to remove the plastic cover, which involves removing the upper plastic section and wires (roughly 1 hour to DIY and install). I got it fixed under warranty but have heard trying to DIY it yourself isn't as straight forward as you would think (if that is worth anything...).
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10-30-2012, 11:55 PM	#11
TheTal0n Captain 51 Rep 605 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	Check your head bolts and oil filter housing gasket first, see if oil is seeping from under the housing, so it would be hidden from sight but not touch.
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10-31-2012, 08:50 PM	#12
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	Are you sure you hooked the ground up which goes to the valve cover?
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