How difficult is it to change the N54 Valve Cover?

Bimmer.335i. · 07-14-2015, 10:18 AM

I was thinking about changing my valve cover myself (mine is cracked). I was wondering how difficult this is? I've watched and read the DIY for the gasket and that seems straight forward, so I was wondering if its easy enough to change the valve cover myself or have a mechanic do it. I've done other work such as water pump, etc. by myself so I'm comfortable working in the engine bay. Looking for some input. Thanks.

Antetokounmpo · 07-14-2015, 10:22 AM

It's the same as changing the valve cover gasket, except instead of using the old valve cover, you put the new one on. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but if you know how to turn a wrench, it's easily doable.

Underground6t9 · 07-14-2015, 10:25 AM

The harderst part is taking out the engine.

07-14-2015, 10:27 AM

If you feel confident in being able to follow the steps of the DIYs out there, then yeah, it's doable. Only you can make that call yourself though.

CantCatchMe · 07-14-2015, 10:46 AM

It's pretty easy from experience. Just take off the plastic cover and go to work. Just don't forget to wipe the area down where you had the old gasket. It'll be about an hour or 1.5 hours if you take your time since its your first time on the N54.

kong24680 · 07-14-2015, 10:51 AM

I just changed my gasket last week and it was a lot better than I expected.

Bimmer.335i. · 07-14-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

It's pretty easy from experience. Just take off the plastic cover and go to work. Just don't forget to wipe the area down where you had the old gasket. It'll be about an hour or 1.5 hours if you take your time since its your first time on the N54.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bk335

It's the same as changing the valve cover gasket, except instead of using the old valve cover, you put the new one on. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but if you know how to turn a wrench, it's easily doable.

Definitely will clean the gasket area. But when installing the new cover theres no other steps? Just use the new one instead of the old one?

CantCatchMe · 07-14-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer.335i.

Definitely will clean the gasket area. But when installing the new cover theres no other steps? Just use the new one instead of the old one?

Yes, that's all! You got this. If you run into any issues, just message us. You'll be fine. Good luck!

ctuna · 07-14-2015, 11:25 AM

There are a lot of DIY's on Ytube and here
I would suggest you watch as many as you can find
several times over.

The thing is there is a lot stuff to get out of the way before
you can get access and to put back together in the correct
order.

I think even an experienced BMW Tech couldn't do it in 1.5 hours
they generally allow 6 hours on this repair.
Allow a lot of time take breaks and pictures .
If you have done the water pump you are capable of doing this.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17897

paco89 · 07-14-2015, 11:30 AM

Luckily my extended warranty covered mine, I was about to do mine myself. Utube has some good DIY's you can look at. Case of beer and go for it.

NotQuickEnough · 07-14-2015, 11:43 AM

Jeezuz in the e46 this was a one hour job

07-14-2015, 10:18 AM	#1
Bimmer.335i. Private First Class 12 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW335i [0.00]	How difficult is it to change the N54 Valve Cover? I was thinking about changing my valve cover myself (mine is cracked). I was wondering how difficult this is? I've watched and read the DIY for the gasket and that seems straight forward, so I was wondering if its easy enough to change the valve cover myself or have a mechanic do it. I've done other work such as water pump, etc. by myself so I'm comfortable working in the engine bay. Looking for some input. Thanks. __________________ E92 335i // Space Grey on Coral Red // Muffler Delete // Blackline Trim // BMS DCI // JB4 // VRSF 7'' Intercooler // H&R Sport springs // Matte Grill // Michelin Pilot Super Sports
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07-14-2015, 10:22 AM	#2
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1570 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	It's the same as changing the valve cover gasket, except instead of using the old valve cover, you put the new one on. It's not the easiest thing in the world, but if you know how to turn a wrench, it's easily doable. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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07-14-2015, 10:25 AM	#3
Underground6t9 Lieutenant Colonel 319 Rep 1,735 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi, Lexus is250 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (2)	The harderst part is taking out the engine.
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07-14-2015, 10:27 AM	#4
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	If you feel confident in being able to follow the steps of the DIYs out there, then yeah, it's doable. Only you can make that call yourself though.
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07-14-2015, 10:46 AM	#5
CantCatchMe Lieutenant Colonel 349 Rep 1,744 Posts Drives: 2012 335i xdrive msport(E92) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: West Bloomfield, MI iTrader: (2)	It's pretty easy from experience. Just take off the plastic cover and go to work. Just don't forget to wipe the area down where you had the old gasket. It'll be about an hour or 1.5 hours if you take your time since its your first time on the N54.
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07-14-2015, 10:51 AM	#6
kong24680 Captain 261 Rep 998 Posts Drives: Silverstone Metallic F06 M6 Gr Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (5)	I just changed my gasket last week and it was a lot better than I expected.
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07-14-2015, 11:25 AM	#9
ctuna Lieutenant General 2439 Rep 14,070 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	There are a lot of DIY's on Ytube and here There are a lot of DIY's on Ytube and here I would suggest you watch as many as you can find several times over. The thing is there is a lot stuff to get out of the way before you can get access and to put back together in the correct order. I think even an experienced BMW Tech couldn't do it in 1.5 hours they generally allow 6 hours on this repair. Allow a lot of time take breaks and pictures . If you have done the water pump you are capable of doing this. http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17897 Last edited by ctuna; 07-14-2015 at 11:31 AM..
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07-14-2015, 11:30 AM	#10
paco89 Captain 152 Rep 726 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Arktis Metallic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Luckily my extended warranty covered mine, I was about to do mine myself. Utube has some good DIY's you can look at. Case of beer and go for it. __________________ 2006 Bmw 325xi VMR V715/OE lip/Redlines/Zsp Springs 1999 Eclipse Spyder Gst 16g/264cams/550cc/255lph/corbeau seats/Comp Stage 4 Clutch/ECUflash etc...
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07-14-2015, 11:43 AM	#11
NotQuickEnough Second Lieutenant 114 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 330ci & 335i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	Jeezuz in the e46 this was a one hour job
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