[diablow16]

Hey everyone,

I cleaned my intake valves a couple weeks ago. Since cylinder 5 was really bad, I decided I was going to replace my pcv valve with the Rob Beck valve. I was also reminded that I have a leak around the valve cover. I could clearly see oil collecting in the circle parts to the left/right of ignition coils. I was losing about a quart of oil every 5k miles.

So I decided to replace my valve cover gasket today. Unfortunately, I found a clear crack on the valve cover between cylinders 2/3. I also found a puddle of oil down on most spark plugs, especially 2/3. This oil made my ignition coils really hard to pull out and were covered in oil. I sucked out as much oil around the plugs and removed them.

Before cleaning. Cylinder order - 654321



As expected, cylinder 5 plug has lots of carbon buildup around the threads that made removing more challenging than expected.

After cleaning with carb cleaner and brass brush. Cylinder order – 654321



Car has always run really strong with no misfires. I am actually surprised I have never had any ignition issues after discovering this.

Plugs are only 18k old with 4k tuned. Should I replace them for good measure due to the oil buildup?

Besides replacing the valve cover and cleaning everything up really good, is there anything else I should be inspecting or replacing due to the oil leak?

Thanks

2009 e92 N54 with 66,700 miles. JB4, MHD E85 JB4 backend, DCI, usually 30% E85, oem everything else.

[catcher22]

Wow, almost all your plugs were completely soaked in oil. I have never seen them that bad. Your VCG must have been seriously leaking.

Those plugs don't look too good at all. Replace them.

[TBN54]

Replace.

[SM335i]

seems like every one goes through this. where the hell is a recall?

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

+1 on replacing the plugs..

I have never seen plugs with that much oil on them.. WOW..

Mike

[diablow16]

Thanks guys. For $50 in new plugs, it isn't a big deal.

No other things I should check for while it is apart?

[SpaceCoupeN54]

I just bought my 2009 e92 n54 w 51k miles and got a 5th Cylinder misfire so decided to buy new plugs to replace and once I took out the first four plugs and coils all were covered in oil and the plugs had puddles around them I'm really surprised with this considering the mileage on the car so now I'll be buying a new valve cover gasket to replace and hope that I won't be replacing the whole Valve cover however after my looking at the pictures posted my thoughts are valve cover has a crack in it also.

[straightcashhomie]

Originally Posted by diablow16

Thanks guys. For $50 in new plugs, it isn't a big deal.

No other things I should check for while it is apart?

I always do my plugs and coils (every 15-20k) at the same time.... Just me though

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by SpaceCoupeN54

I just bought my 2009 e92 n54 w 51k miles and got a 5th Cylinder misfire so decided to buy new plugs to replace and once I took out the first four plugs and coils all were covered in oil and the plugs had puddles around them I'm really surprised with this considering the mileage on the car so now I'll be buying a new valve cover gasket to replace and hope that I won't be replacing the whole Valve cover however after my looking at the pictures posted my thoughts are valve cover has a crack in it also.

This is unfortunately commonly found at that mileage, we've seen the valve covers fail even sooner (gasket and/or cracked).