[hedengrenchristian]

Hi all,

Longtime lurker. Getting the usual oil leak onto the exhaust/smoke/etc. from my N55. I was quoted a while back to replace the entire valve cover (about a $500 part). I was quoted by another shop much less, as the only non-labor expense was the gasket. So.. is it necessary to replace the entire valve cover or can you get away with just the gasket? Thanks. CH

[Monster900]

Depends how many miles is on it. If you decide to reuse the cover inspect it throughly. Don't ask how I got to this conclusion😐

[hedengrenchristian]

How many miles you think? I'm at 86k. What am I looking for on the valve cover to determine if its okay to reuse?

[CDirks]

Originally Posted by hedengrenchristian

How many miles you think? I'm at 86k. What am I looking for on the valve cover to determine if its okay to reuse?

I'm not on the N55 game (N52) so take this with a grain of salt if there are known issues with the valve cover, but unless it is warped or shows signs of cracking you should be able to just replace the gasket. Unfortunately you can't really tell without taking it off.

I'd suggest cleaning it thoroughly, then inspecting the whole cover for signs of cracking and then resting it on a flat surface to check for any warping.

[6ixSpd]

Replace it. Rockauto provides a really good alternative (URO brand) for around $285 USD. You don't want to do this job twice in a short time, and they all develop problems after 60k with the PCV which causes leaks due to the increased pressure. That's aside from any potential warping/cracking that also occurs.

[IllSic_Design]

The problem is is if they do crack, its usually when you are trying to remove it as they are usually stuck to the head pretty well.
So you might inspect it before removal and its fine and you deem you don't need one, then crack it upon removal and have to wait for the new cover to come all the while you can't drive your car.


That being said, I changed my valve cover gasket(only) on my N54 at 121k miles and was careful not to damage the original cover. Still going strong at 210k right now. I do want to replace it though as who knows what the PCV area looks like in the original.

[hedengrenchristian]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Replace it. Rockauto provides a really good alternative (URO brand) for around $285 USD. You don't want to do this job twice in a short time, and they all develop problems after 60k with the PCV which causes leaks due to the increased pressure. That's aside from any potential warping/cracking that also occurs.

Don't know anything about this brand.. reputable?

[Soden82]

I'm inspecting my valve cover tomorrow for cracks since I replaced the VCG and it is still leaking. Doing the job twice sucks so maybe get the cover and the gasket just to make sure that everything is covered in the replacement.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

I agree that doing the job twice sucks. I changed my cover out because I didn’t want to do it twice and because I figured the pcv was all gunked up...

[culto]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I agree that doing the job twice sucks. I changed my cover out because I didn’t want to do it twice and because I figured the pcv was all gunked up...

This. I changed my gasket on my N55 then had to change the valve cover (which cracked) about 40,000 miles later. Best to do it once and do it right.

[Engel12626]

Originally Posted by hedengrenchristian

Don't know anything about this brand.. reputable?

No I would avoid Uro for something as important as a valve cover.

Bought a cooling fan for my E36, it ended up blowing apart and shredding the hood liner and a hose. Their muffler hangers don't last. And a Uro pcv gasket caused a vacuum leak.

[Monster900]

Originally Posted by hedengrenchristian

Don't know anything about this brand.. reputable?

Do it right, go with OEM. At 86k I would replace it.

[Jesda]

Did mine at around 65k
Did it again soon after when the eccentric shaft sensor failed

At 133k I have very minor seepage, no issues or smells. Next time I'll replace the cover.

[Soden82]

Originally Posted by Engel12626

No I would avoid Uro for something as important as a valve cover.

Bought a cooling fan for my E36, it ended up blowing apart and shredding the hood liner and a hose. Their muffler hangers don't last. And a Uro pcv gasket caused a vacuum leak.

Welp...just bought a URO valve cover. I'll see how it is when it comes. Considering my OEM one failed at 50k, I don't have much confidence in any valve covers for this car.

[nsjames]

used a uro one two years and 40K miles ago on my n52.

it's been fine.

[tlow98]

I was pretty impressed with the Uro cover too.

[Soden82]

Thanks gents. Installing mine next weekend.

[RayLivingston]

AFAIK, the only reason to replace the valve cover, other than physical damage, would be because the PCV "slots" are clogged up. Otherwise, just replace the gasket. I replaced the valve cover on my '07 N54 about 4-5 years ago with one I bought on EBay for $99. It fit, and works, just fine, except the bolts they provided were too long so I just re-used the old ones. Zero problems.

Regards,
Ray L.