[Bimmer_Engineer]

So as the title says I just finished swapping out the gasket and valve cover to a new oem cover from fcp. I had a small leak by the boost solenoids before (didn’t even smoke). I have a pretty large smoky leak now. I haven’t taken it apart yet but I’m looking for any tips from people who’ve had similar experiences. I cleaned the sealing face pretty well i thought with rubbing alcohol and it looked clean. I torqued in a crisscross pattern to 80 in lb but I started on the outside. Looking at the Bentley manual this am it says to start on the inside but I can’t imagine that’s the issue...

Any insight???

[DTOAST3]

Are you sure it’s the valve cover leaking? It would probably be best to take the cover off and reinstall the gasket using the proper tightening pattern. There is a slim chance that the gasket is damaged but it is a possibility.

[FEDE/E92]

You probably pinched the gasket

[Brandoch]

Why did you start from the outside? when you torque from the outside in, it creates a warp in the part at the middle. If you torque from the inside out, it keeps the part flat.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

Why did you start from the outside? when you torque from the outside in, it creates a warp in the part at the middle. If you torque from the inside out, it keeps the part flat.

Yeah...oops. If you tighten from the inside doesn’t it warp the outside?

[mweisdorfer]

Use two beads of ultra black with the OEM gasket; sandwich the OEM gasket in-between the beads. This will absolutely increase the lifespan of the gasket.

Um... typically speaking 9/10, it's a really good idea to follow the Bentley Repair manual you the T.

I believe the correct torque is 8nm? Use a small, 1/4 drive torque wrench.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Use two beads of ultra black with the OEM gasket; sandwich the OEM gasket in-between the beads. This will absolutely increase the lifespan of the gasket.

Um... typically speaking 9/10, it's a really good idea to follow the Bentley Repair manual you the T.

I believe the correct torque is 8nm? Use a small, 1/4 drive torque wrench.

I agree on the manual...I didn’t look at it until after I finished this time unfortunately I used a DIY from here instead. Can anyone else speak up regarding the sealant? The Bentley manual just recommends glycerine. I can imagine the sealant would be a real pain to get off if I have to change it again.

Also...8 NM is about 70 in-lbs...so I was in the ballpark. The DIY said 7 ft-lb...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I agree on the manual...I didn’t look at it until after I finished this time unfortunately I used a DIY from here instead. Can anyone else speak up regarding the sealant? The Bentley manual just recommends glycerine. I can imagine the sealant would be a real pain to get off if I have to change it again.

Also...8 NM is about 70 in-lbs...so I was in the ballpark. The DIY said 7 ft-lb...

Yeah I wouldn't put any sealant to extend it's life. Just change the cover/gasket again in the future when it goes.

Torque is actually 8.5nm=75 inch lbs but I doubt that's what caused the leaking.

Either your gasket pinched somewhere or the tightening outside to inside is the issue.

Do you know where it leaks out from? on the edge outside or in the middle?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I agree on the manual...I didn't look at it until after I finished this time unfortunately I used a DIY from here instead. Can anyone else speak up regarding the sealant? The Bentley manual just recommends glycerine. I can imagine the sealant would be a real pain to get off if I have to change it again.

Also...8 NM is about 70 in-lbs...so I was in the ballpark. The DIY said 7 ft-lb...

If you don't use a sealant like Ultra Black, plan on redoing the valve cover gasket every 30 to 45,000 miles. Remember, the head is tilted. So, all the oil pools to the bottom, passenger side of the VC. Hence, it tends to leak there and on the back side near the fire wall. Gasket Seal removal spray can be a nice tool, strategy in removing excess sealant from the head.

[Donutz]

I second the use of a sealant. I used a Permatex high temp gasket maker that is copper / orange.

[patton001]

Just a thought but you might try changing your oil filter. Recently the large o-ring gasket on mine went bad prematurely. I couldn't really even see the leak but thought I would try it before tearing out the valve cover. It was leaking big time. changed it out and had to drop the belly pan to clean it all out of there. Quite a mess but no more smoke or oil on the ground. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Donutz

I second the use of a sealant. I used a Permatex high temp gasket maker that is copper / orange.

I used Hondabond around the entire perimeter of the gasket/valvecover; ~62k miles and no issues to report.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

I guess I'm still struggling with the sealant a little bit. My original VCG went 92,000 miles...are a lot of people having issues with recurring VCG leaks after the first change?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I guess I'm still struggling with the sealant a little bit. My original VCG went 92,000 miles...are a lot of people having issues with recurring VCG leaks after the first change?

When I did my valve cover gasket at 85,000 miles, I just did an OEM gasket. At 120,000 miles, it started leaking again! N54 motors run hot & the tilt of the head makes gravity work against you.

I put a bead of Ultra Black around the interior & perimeter of the VC's groves where the gasket goes. I then put the OEM gasket in the grooves. Next, I put a bead of Ultra Black on top of the gasket & then carefully placed it in the head, after about 10 min of letting it (Ultra Black) set up. You really need two people to carefully put the VC back on the head. I'd also bungee the all the wires out of the way!

Last, you should allow for 24 hours before you start the car up and drive it. The directions on the tube of Ultra Black clearly state that it takes 24 hours for it to fully cure!

Anyways, I now have 170,000 miles on this setup and the VCG shows absolutely no signs of even remotely leaking, not even an ounce of oil perspiration etc.

If you have an N54, make sure your PVC valve is upgraded & you change out the valve/ hose on top of the engine. If not, you will create excess pressure and the VC & probably rear main seal will start to leak!

[whyzee125]

More than likely you pinched the gasket. If you remove it to check, use a bead of Permatex Gasket Adhesive to hold the gasket in the cover. Otherwise it's very easy for the gasket to fall out of place when wiggling the valve cover into place.

[Hussain22]

Is it possible for your valve cover gasket to leak on your head gasket making it look like your head gasket is blown because i took a look and i saw a leak coming from the valve cover gasket but also seemed like it was dripping on the head gasket?

[Bimmer_Engineer]

There’s no way it was the head gasket. When I took the valve cover off I could see where the oil was leaking past. I did it again and it leaked again in the same place. I haven’t had time to take it apart again...pretty busy at work. I’ll let y’all know when I finally get it knocked out...

[autoart]

Just wondering how long did it took you to do the valve cover?I need to do it also.

[robbiss7]

Originally Posted by autoart

Just wondering how long did it took you to do the valve cover?I need to do it also.

I've done this job twice on two different cars and it was 2-3 hours. It's not difficult just a lot things to remove before the valve cover comes off. Hardest part of the job is to make sure the gasket doesn't get pinched.