[PortDover335xi]

Anyone here bought the JDMspeed valve cover for the n54? I know the name itself doesn't scream German engineering but it's middle of the road in price point for an aftermarket valve cover.

[cgbimmer]

I would not get anything other than bmw valve cover .. to many people have had issues.
My 2cents

[KClemente]

I've changed valve covers on 3 different N54's and they were all generic eBay ones. And all of them cured their smoking issues.

The motor is 12 years old. All of these factories in China are gonna have all the proper castings and based on my experience, they all work as intended.

[Emilime75]

Considering that the OEM ones crack, why would one think that a cheaper knock off will do any better.

[turbohugh]

FCP Euro

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by KClemente

I've changed valve covers on 3 different N54's and they were all generic eBay ones. And all of them cured their smoking issues.

The motor is 12 years old. All of these factories in China are gonna have all the proper castings and based on my experience, they all work as intended.

Have you seen the posts on here from people who used cheap aftermarket valve covers and then had to redo the work allover a few weeks later with a bmw branded cover? Not worth it to save a $150 bucks.

[PortDover335xi]

Just to update I ordered a BMW valve cover gasket from ECS. I still have the cheap valve cover coming sometime next week. My plan is to remove factory cover and inspect for cracks. If it's fine then I'll just replace the gasket. I'll go ahead with the cheapo valve cover if it's no good and see how it goes. Here in Canada a BMW VC is over $600 plus shipping/duty if I buy from the states. I haven't looked into my local BMW dealer but I would imagine it's the same if not more. I cashed in some amazon gift cards I had lying around so it hasn't put me out much.

But thanks for all your input it's kind of what I was expecting but always hopeful there were some good reviews. I'll post next week when i swap and a few thousand K after.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by PortDover335xi

Just to update I ordered a BMW valve cover gasket from ECS. I still have the cheap valve cover coming sometime next week. My plan is to remove factory cover and inspect for cracks. If it's fine then I'll just replace the gasket. I'll go ahead with the cheapo valve cover if it's no good and see how it goes. Here in Canada a BMW VC is over $600 plus shipping/duty if I buy from the states. I haven't looked into my local BMW dealer but I would imagine it's the same if not more. I cashed in some amazon gift cards I had lying around so it hasn't put me out much.

But thanks for all your input it's kind of what I was expecting but always hopeful there were some good reviews. I'll post next week when i swap and a few thousand K after.

How many miles on your original cover? Likely the pcv ports in the original are clogged with carbon buildup, and if not soon will be, causing more issues, and no way to clean it out other than buying a new valve cover. The kit also includes the gasket and all new bolts. Check getbimmerparts.com or ecs, it was around $320 US last time I purchased. I understand not wanting to spend more than you think you need to, but it's not worth doing the job twice and having problems by skipping out or buying a cheapo brand, and a quick search on here will pull up some of the posts forum members have posted with their issues.

Don't forget to get a new pcv hose, and an upgraded pcv valve.

Also great time to do your vacuum lines going to the turbo wastegates since you'll have a little extra space.

[PortDover335xi]

Can you point me in the right direction of where I can buy replacement vacuum lines?

[PortDover335xi]

I already changed the PVC valve btw. The pcv hose was a bitch to get off but I didn't damage it the last time i removed it. I wasn't planning on replacing it

[woodex m.e.]

Aluminum valve cover would eliminate this issue, and there are some out there. Most people just don't want to pay for it.

[PortDover335xi]

That's probably 100% the reason

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Considering that the OEM ones crack, why would one think that a cheaper knock off will do any better.

Yeah but don't OEM only crack past 60k miles.

Aftermarket might crack before that.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by PortDover335xi

I already changed the PVC valve btw. The pcv hose was a bitch to get off but I didn't damage it the last time i removed it. I wasn't planning on replacing it

You should replace it, as the flapper valve wears and fails, easy to replace and cheap part.

[dpaul]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Yeah but don't OEM only crack past 60k miles.

Aftermarket might crack before that.

Where do you get the idea that OEM only crack past 60K?

I can assure you, from personal experience, that there is no magic number of miles for valve cover cracking or gasket failure, any more than there is for PCV flapper, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket or water pump failures.

[dpaul]

Originally Posted by Jklad

You should replace it, as the flapper valve wears and fails, easy to replace and cheap part.

+1

[PortDover335xi]

Ok thanks I'll pick one up

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Yeah but don't OEM only crack past 60k miles.

Aftermarket might crack before that.

That's my point. Regardless of when the OEM cracks, I'd trust it more than I would a cheap knock off.

[turbohugh]

Originally Posted by PortDover335xi

Can you point me in the right direction of where I can buy replacement vacuum lines?

FCP Euro

[turbohugh]

Originally Posted by dpaul

Where do you get the idea that OEM only crack past 60K?

I can assure you, from personal experience, that there is no magic number of miles for valve cover cracking or gasket failure, any more than there is for PCV flapper, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket or water pump failures.

Some cracks are 'invisible' until heat and pressure then they affect the way the car performs .

[dpaul]

Turbohugh:

Good point about crack - my first leak was from a crack I didn't see, discovered after replacing the gasket did not solve the problem.

But sorry, don't understand how the fact that some cracks are not immediately obvious relates to the assumption that VCGs will not leak, or VCs crack leading to a leak, before 60K miles?

Maybe I'm just missing something

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by dpaul

Where do you get the idea that OEM only crack past 60K?

I can assure you, from personal experience, that there is no magic number of miles for valve cover cracking or gasket failure, any more than there is for PCV flapper, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket or water pump failures.

My point is even tho OE part might be shit, it still has made it to all this mileage. Then you buy a part that is usually cheaper in price and build you will obviously not get as much mileage out of it IMO. Especially something like gaskets.