[cbcb]

My 2007 328i has been recalled for the "blow by heater" recall, aka PCV heater.

I am hoping that this involves the removal of the valve cover, because my valve cover gasket is currently leaking and therefore I am hoping the recall will solve this problem as well.

My Bentley is a bit confusing on this. My car has the plastic cylinder head cover, and Bentley says that the breather valve is integrated into this cover... but that there is still one electric heating element at the manifold inlet.. so I think this heater is external to the cover. Anybody know for sure?

Recall Campaign No. 2017-470: blow-by heater (11 85 17RC)

[ChuckThomas]

More than likely they won't touch the valve cover. The pcv hose clips into the valve cover at the back. The crankcase breather is outside of the valve cover right under the intake manifold. It is what has all the hoses coming from it

[mecheng77]

No they remove the alternator only

[nhhiep]

they're not related. you will have to pay for the VCG expensive replacement. My mechanic charged $1000 to replace the VCG and ESS sensor.

[ChuckThomas]

Originally Posted by nhhiep

they're not related. you will have to pay for the VCG expensive replacement. My mechanic charged $1000 to replace the VCG and ESS sensor.

Your mechanic won. You lost.

I bet he was rubbing his hands like birdman when you were pulling in

[nhhiep]

Originally Posted by ChuckThomas

Your mechanic won. You lost.

I bet he was rubbing his hands like birdman when you were pulling in

you know that the OEM ESS part alone is over $400 right?

[ChuckThomas]

Originally Posted by nhhiep

you know that the OEM ESS part alone is over $400 right?

Boy if you don't..........



https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F172710874216

-dealership

[nhhiep]

ebay? of course it's a few bucks cheaper and you have to wait for the part. I rather get it at the dealer and get my car back in a day

[ChuckThomas]

Originally Posted by nhhiep

ebay? of course it's a few bucks cheaper and you have to wait for the part. I rather get it at the dealer and get my car back in a day

If you do a little more reading you will read that the seller is a bmw dealership. But if you have 1k to spend and you thought that was worth it who am I to disagree.

I just wish you lived closer to me $$$

[nhhiep]

you think $1k total to replace the ESS and VCG is expensive? it takes at least half a day to do it.

[cbcb]

Originally Posted by ChuckThomas

More than likely they won't touch the valve cover. The pcv hose clips into the valve cover at the back. The crankcase breather is outside of the valve cover right under the intake manifold. It is what has all the hoses coming from it

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes it does seem like I won't be getting free valve cover gasket etc. work.

I believe all they will need to do for the recall is replace this part: https://www.ebay.com/p/BMW-11618638014/1289983405

[labrador]

I got my Ess from RM European for about $230 plus miscellaneous gaskets.
It was OEM Continental VDO. Still the same flimsy metal cover instead of ultrasound sealed plastic.

$1000 is probably okay for shop work, but it’s money and time many of us should not have to spend in the first place. BMW needs to learn more about reliability IMO.

[r4dr]

Originally Posted by labrador

BMW needs to learn more about reliability IMO.

Valve cover gaskets and oil filter housing gaskets have been the BMW way of life since at least the early 90s. My S52 and N54 both needed OFHGs within a few weeks of each other, it's like a conspiracy. At least I know how to do it next time.

[chris82]

Going in for this service next week!

[chris82]

Originally Posted by labrador

I got my Ess from RM European for about $230 plus miscellaneous gaskets.
It was OEM Continental VDO. Still the same flimsy metal cover instead of ultrasound sealed plastic.

$1000 is probably okay for shop work, but it’s money and time many of us should not have to spend in the first place. BMW needs to learn more about reliability IMO.

Exactly, I should be paid for having to waste my time because THEY fucked up. It's just unacceptable, I'm at the 3rd critical safety recall. So my car has the potential of catching fire when I'm not even driving it? Really?

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by ChuckThomas

Your mechanic won. You lost.

I bet he was rubbing his hands like birdman when you were pulling in

Not if he used OEM ESS. Those suckers are like $400. So $600 for VCG is not bad at all. VCG replacement at dealer is like $1300.

[ChuckThomas]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Pleaser

Not if he used OEM ESS. Those suckers are like $400. So $600 for VCG is not bad at all. VCG replacement at dealer is like $1300.

Less typing more reading

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F362334457927

Even IF it were 400, 600 for a vcg is ridiculous!

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by ChuckThomas

Less typing more reading

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F362334457927

Even IF it were 400, 600 for a vcg is ridiculous!

That's not genuine. And if someone quote me $400 for VCG I'll take my business else where. No way you can do that job in less than 5 hours without cutting corners. I've seen way too many arrogant overconfident techs at work doing quick shit jobs to brag.

[ChuckThomas]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Pleaser

That's not genuine. And if someone quote me $400 for VCG I'll take my business else where. No way you can do that job in less than 5 hours without cutting corners. I've seen way too many arrogant overconfident techs at work doing quick shit jobs to brag.

You obviously know nothing about Siemens and how bmw as a company don't know shit about making eccentric shaft sensors. Please spend 200 for a bmw logo genius! Cute on the 5 hour valve cover job I've dropped whole engines in 5 hours bro if it takes 5 hours to change a valve cover then the tech must of used nothing but wrenches. Understandable

[chay85]

Originally Posted by chris82

Going in for this service next week!

I have the similar situation, my indie auto guy said the car had a PCV system failure code among other things which would require replacing the valve cover itself along with the gasket.

I am wondering what the outcome of your service was?

[Efthreeoh]

There is no way to compare DIY costs to dealership price. It's just too stupid to do. The dealer has far more costs to cover than just spending a few DIY hours in the garage.

Yup, the tech time is always overstated, and it's how dealerships make a good amount of revenue and techs make a good living, but for 95% of BMW owners learn the skills, get the tools, and find the time to DIY a valve cover would probably be more expensive when all the real costs are added up.

My 2 cents.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

There is no way to compare DIY costs to dealership price. It's just too stupid to do. The dealer has far more costs to cover than just spending a few DIY hours in the garage.

Yup, the tech time is always overstated, and it's how dealerships make a good amount of revenue and techs make a good living, but for 95% of BMW owners learn the skills, get the tools, and find the time to DIY a valve cover would probably be more expensive when all the real costs are added up.

My 2 cents.

True words about tool costs. However, if you like tools and have other stuff you may work on in the future, then it EVENTUALLY becomes a cost-saving course of action. $1000 isn't terrible, but yes, you can save money by DIY and buying OE vs Genuine (which is the same thing that your shop does if its smart). If its the same part, its the same part -- even OEM is different than OE.