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      07-23-2021, 09:27 AM   #1
Kenneykickin
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Valve cover replacement / gasket

I have a very very slow oil leak obviously coming from the gasket or a cracked valve cover. Not sure. Anyways called around for quotes.

2 stops both recommended doing the cover as they usually warp/crack (125k)
One wanted $1847 to do the cover/essentric shaft and they like doing the head bolts while their in there? Need cam shaft holders etc?

Other shop didn’t recommend that and was at 1300 installed for valve cover.

Thoughts??
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      07-23-2021, 09:32 AM   #2
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If you can do it yourself. Its not specifically "hard," just tedious as there is a lot of stuff you have to remove to get to it. There are a million posts on here and a couple of DIYs that will help.

And if you have the 3 way vent hose just buy one of those because you will break it.
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      07-23-2021, 09:33 AM   #3
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Second shop sounds more in line with what I've seen. I've never heard of replacing head bolts or messing with camshafts while doing the valve cover. Assuming you have the plastic cover (2007+), the cover bolts don't need to be replaced. I would replace the cover, as mine was cracked as well and the cover also contains the PCV valve on the 2007+ engines.
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      07-23-2021, 09:43 AM   #4
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Damn wtf why're the quotes so high? I got my VCG replaced for $430 using OE parts at my indy
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      07-23-2021, 11:00 AM   #5
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I had my vc seal, oil pan seal, oil filter housing seal, serpentine belt, and tensioner changed for $1700 total, so your quotes are very high indeed.

Messing with head bolts is crazy.
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      07-23-2021, 11:28 AM   #6
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Head bolt is one of the known problems with this engine, however, I would not mess with it if it is not broken.

My eccentric shaft sensor was not leaking into the connector, but I was getting some rough idle and what felt like misfires (no codes). I replaced the sensor, plugs and coils at the same time, not willing to wait until it acts up for warranty claim. It has been great in the past two years and three months. Then there was that freaking oil pan gasket. I also have a Uro windshield pump installed. No problems with these Uro parts despite some complaints about them being cheap.

I replaced the entire valve cover after changing out the gasket alone did not solve all the leaks. Therefore I agree that the entire valve cover should be replaced. That BMW valve cover was junk. Uro came with new bolts and a new Mahle valvetronic motor gasket ("football"). The cover cost around $200 at the time I think.

It was not a hard job at all and I would be surprised a shop charges more than 2 to 3 hours of labor for N51/N52 (N54 has fuel pipes and more involved), even with the eccentric shaft sensor (that was 2 bolts iirc, couple of minutes if even that). If it is OP's 2006 330xi that would be non-turbo, right? Therefore even $1300 I thought would be too much.

This is what I used, and I also used RTV to seal that problematic football gasket (https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...postcount=16):


Last edited by mainbearing; 07-23-2021 at 11:56 AM..
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      07-23-2021, 11:51 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneykickin View Post
I have a very very slow oil leak obviously coming from the gasket or a cracked valve cover. Not sure. Anyways called around for quotes.

2 stops both recommended doing the cover as they usually warp/crack (125k)
One wanted $1847 to do the cover/essentric shaft and they like doing the head bolts while their in there? Need cam shaft holders etc?

Other shop didn’t recommend that and was at 1300 installed for valve cover.

Thoughts??
Learn to do it yourself. It's not that difficult. Gasket is under $50 and you save a rest. I replaced the valvetronic servo motor last week and it took just few hours. If you live near me, I'd charge you $500.
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      07-23-2021, 06:34 PM   #8
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Hmm, interesting yes I thought seemed high myself. Thanks for all the replies.

The shop with the $1850 quote with changing the head bolts is a very reputable shop and always 45 days or so out. From what you guys are saying though isn’t necessary. So yeah 2nd shop is $1300 Probaly go with that or I’ll try another quote Monday at a different shop.
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      07-23-2021, 06:40 PM   #9
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When they say head bolts, maybe they are talking about the pesky timing chain guide bolt issue? Those are easy to get to when the cover is off. Just a guess, maybe they mis-spoke.
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      07-23-2021, 09:02 PM   #10
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If it is the head bolt on the outside of the cover that would be easy to fix. If it is on the inside, yes a holding tool will be needed. The intake cam may have to come out?

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...lt_Testing.htm
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      07-24-2021, 06:17 AM   #11
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I think the $1847 place was talking about changing the valve cover, gaskets, and the eccentric shaft SENSOR. That sensor is an expensive one - about $200 - but is worth doing at your mileage since it will probably go eventually, and if it happens before you need another valve cover/gasket, then you'll end up having to pay for/do the labor related to a valve cover just to get at the sensor.

I am not sure what they meant when you say "head bolts". Could be many of the things others have said here.

All of that considered, $1847 is not outside the realm of normal for a respected indy to do this job (with an OEM or very hiqh quality VC and the ESS). I've seen posts where people have been quoted nearly twice that for the stealership to do just the valve cover and gasket. Of course, that's nuts.

I agree, learn to do it yourself. It's not hard, just tedious. Or take it to your indy if you have the $ and don't want to spend the time. DO NOT take it to someone who says they can do the whole job for $400 (especially if that supposedly includes parts).
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      07-24-2021, 06:29 AM   #12
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I paid $1300 at the dealership for my N55 a year ago. They did not replace the cover.

I also have a DIY on here for the N54. If doing it yourself, I definitely recommend replacing the cover.
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      07-24-2021, 09:47 AM   #13
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not a hard job to do yourself but it takes a great deal of patience, time, and knowledge of how to work effectively around the engine.

If you don't have experience you may end up breaking more stuff
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      07-24-2021, 12:45 PM   #14
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Good point there. Tischer has the OE parts (VC, VCG, ecc sensor, and head bolt set) for nearly $1000, and that is online discount price. The shop will charge MSRP for the parts or even add on a markup.

I think OP should also just call up the local dealer and at least get a quote there. See if they're willing to use parts you bought off FCP (lifetime replacement warranty) or elsewhere.

IMO the prices for these mediocre quality parts are a joke.



Quote:
Originally Posted by jsunma View Post
All of that considered, $1847 is not outside the realm of normal for a respected indy to do this job (with an OEM or very hiqh quality VC and the ESS). I've seen posts where people have been quoted nearly twice that for the stealership to do just the valve cover and gasket. Of course, that's nuts.
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      07-24-2021, 05:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mainbearing View Post
Good point there. Tischer has the OE parts (VC, VCG, ecc sensor, and head bolt set) for nearly $1000, and that is online discount price. The shop will charge MSRP for the parts or even add on a markup.

I think OP should also just call up the local dealer and at least get a quote there. See if they're willing to use parts you bought off FCP (lifetime replacement warranty) or elsewhere.

IMO the prices for these mediocre quality parts are a joke.

Woah. $400 for the shaft sensor..

Yeah this job is outside my comfort and experience level.. so I will have a shop do it. I don’t mind the $1800 if it’s everything they stated, new sensor, new bolts, new cover etc by a very reputable shop.

I will call dealer and see what they say and if they include changing sensor/bolts for their price.

At my mileage of 124k wi probaly just do the cover instead of gasket only. I don’t want have get back in there during renaming ownership of car
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      07-24-2021, 10:09 PM   #16
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Looking more closely, your car (the 2006) has a metal valve cover and so it's probably not cracked (although some say these can still warp..i d k, I don't have one myself). Likely, that just needs the gasket and you can get a kit from FCP that has the gaskets and the ESS for under $300.

If it's your wife's car (the 2009), then it has the plastic valve cover and yes, that should probably just be replaced. A good quality valve cover runs close to $400, plus the $300 kit with the ESS and gaskets. That, plus labor gets you into the $1800 range.

Push your indy on the parts prices and see if they'll let you supply your own parts. If they do, then the FCP parts/prices are worth checking out. It'll save you some $ and there's the lifetime warranty. Going that route, I think you should be able to get the job done on YOUR car (the 330xi) for much less than the $1800 it would cost on the 335i (which your original post says is your wife's car).
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      07-24-2021, 11:11 PM   #17
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^ good catch!
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      07-25-2021, 10:26 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsunma View Post
Looking more closely, your car (the 2006) has a metal valve cover and so it's probably not cracked (although some say these can still warp..i d k, I don't have one myself). Likely, that just needs the gasket and you can get a kit from FCP that has the gaskets and the ESS for under $300.

If it's your wife's car (the 2009), then it has the plastic valve cover and yes, that should probably just be replaced. A good quality valve cover runs close to $400, plus the $300 kit with the ESS and gaskets. That, plus labor gets you into the $1800 range.

Push your indy on the parts prices and see if they'll let you supply your own parts. If they do, then the FCP parts/prices are worth checking out. It'll save you some $ and there's the lifetime warranty. Going that route, I think you should be able to get the job done on YOUR car (the 330xi) for much less than the $1800 it would cost on the 335i (which your original post says is your wife's car).
My bad the quotes are for the wife’s car. 09 335i
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      07-25-2021, 10:27 AM   #19
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Speaking of. I had my gasket replaced on my 06 330xi from the 1847 Indy it was about 700 if I remember.
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