N55- Valve Cover Removal

CobraMarty · 01-09-2018, 07:24 AM

How long does it take to remove the N55 valve cover?

How hard is it to remove it?

orteeze · 01-09-2018, 07:43 AM

It's a pretty straight forward job if you ask me. The most difficult part is clearing the firewall on removal. It has a weird lip that causes clearance issues. Second set of hands would make the job easier.

weehe126 · 01-09-2018, 07:50 AM

R&R I can do it in 3-4 hours depending if the firewall agrees with me that day.

Wolf 335 · 01-09-2018, 07:54 AM

Side question: Do N55 covers crack like the N54 ones?

weehe126 · 01-09-2018, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Side question: Do N55 covers crack like the N54 ones?

Not as regular as N54, but the PCV valve inside is not serviceable and goes bad every 60-80k miles.

Wolf 335 · 01-09-2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Not as regular as N54, but the PCV valve inside is not serviceable and goes bad every 60-80k miles.

goes bad as in gets clogged with oil sludge?

CobraMarty · 01-09-2018, 08:59 AM

Do you have to pull the DI fuel lines and common rail?

RoarinForeign · 01-09-2018, 09:05 AM

Am currently in the process of changing my valve cover gasket and spark plugs/coils.

CobraMarty · 01-09-2018, 09:16 AM

I'm asking the time and difficulty for the VC R+R as it would be required to install a set of MILVs in place.

MILVs on a N55 would be awesome.

WiL335i · 01-09-2018, 10:33 AM

I just recently performed this job by myself. It's not that difficult. It's basically the same thing as any other cars with the exception of the additional steps of removing the fuel lines that goes over the top of the valve cover because it's a direct injected engine. I believe there's a DIY thread here with step by step instructions and pictures. I suggest you read that thread. Somebody mentioned that the PCV valve is not serviceable and goes bad at around 80k miles, that is correct.

I also bought the Uro brand valve cover and not the expensive BMW brand. I closely inspected the two and it looks exactly the same. It fits perfectly and I encountered no problems during the Installation. I saved over $200 on it.

weehe126 · 01-09-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

goes bad as in gets clogged with oil sludge?

One of the flaps rips causing excess crankcase vacuum.

weehe126 · 01-09-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Do you have to pull the DI fuel lines and common rail?

Just the injector hard lines, the rail can stay.

Pladi · 01-09-2018, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Just the injector hard lines, the rail can stay.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have to remove the injectors ? I recently replaced my injectors and would not like to remove them if i dont have to due to the teflon seals that have to be replaced.

AJL · 01-09-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

Thanks for the reply. Do you have to remove the injectors ? I recently replaced my injectors and would not like to remove them if i dont have to due to the teflon seals that have to be replaced.

No, don't need to remove the injectors.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...h-lid/CsT0IDpE

weehe126 · 01-09-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

Thanks for the reply. Do you have to remove the injectors ? I recently replaced my injectors and would not like to remove them if i dont have to due to the teflon seals that have to be replaced.

Don't need to remove injectors.

Pladi · 01-09-2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJL

No, don't need to remove the injectors.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...h-lid/CsT0IDpE

good to know thank you guys.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 01-10-2018, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

Not as regular as N54, but the PCV valve inside is not serviceable and goes bad every 60-80k miles.

Good news is there is a solution for it as long as you have a dremel. You basically cut the top off, replace it, and glue it back on.

https://vanos-bmw.com/product/repair...mw-11127570292

weehe126 · 01-10-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Good news is there is a solution for it as long as you have a dremel. You basically cut the top off, replace it, and glue it back on.

https://vanos-bmw.com/product/repair...mw-11127570292

You can only access 1 of the 3 or 4 valves. And no one has been successful in doing it, or no one that I've heard.

Pladi · 01-10-2018, 03:47 PM

Can someone please tell us how to test the PCV exactly because that site mentions blowing into something but i am not sure where.. is the engine ON/OFF.. other details. A detailed explanation would be very useful. So we dont replace parts that dont need to be replaced or can see if a valve is on its way.

weehe126 · 01-10-2018, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

Can someone please tell us how to test the PCV exactly because that site mentions blowing into something but i am not sure where.. is the engine ON/OFF.. other details. A detailed explanation would be very useful. So we dont replace parts that dont need to be replaced or can see if a valve is on its way.

It's in the DIY section by user Vespa.

Pladi · 01-10-2018, 09:42 PM

So here is the thing. These cars have a billion sensors sometimes for even useless stuff like brake pad wear that i can see with my eyes but no one thought it would be a good idea to measure that vacuume/pressure of the ventilation system ?? I have to use smoke from a match or a cigarette to test a pcv system ? Now i understand we can measure vacuum but the PCV valve air is not measured...why

Scuttles · 03-24-2019, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weehe126

You can only access 1 of the 3 or 4 valves. And no one has been successful in doing it, or no one that I've heard.

I've spent a few hours this weekend looking this up -- and have not seen a single case of someone failing at this... can you explain?

01-09-2018, 07:24 AM	#1
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	N55- Valve Cover Removal How long does it take to remove the N55 valve cover? How hard is it to remove it?
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01-09-2018, 07:43 AM	#2
orteeze Major 223 Rep 1,073 Posts Drives: 2018 YMB F80 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Alabama iTrader: (14)	It's a pretty straight forward job if you ask me. The most difficult part is clearing the firewall on removal. It has a weird lip that causes clearance issues. Second set of hands would make the job easier. __________________ 2008 MB 335i-SOLD 2011 AW 335i M Sport- SOLD 2011 BSP 335i-SOLD 2011 BSP 335is- FOR SALE 2018 YMB M3- Current
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01-09-2018, 07:50 AM	#3
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	R&R I can do it in 3-4 hours depending if the firewall agrees with me that day.
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01-09-2018, 07:54 AM	#4
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Side question: Do N55 covers crack like the N54 ones?
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01-09-2018, 08:59 AM	#7
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	Do you have to pull the DI fuel lines and common rail?
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01-09-2018, 09:05 AM	#8
RoarinForeign Private First Class 36 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Western MA iTrader: (0)	Am currently in the process of changing my valve cover gasket and spark plugs/coils.
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01-09-2018, 09:16 AM	#9
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	I'm asking the time and difficulty for the VC R+R as it would be required to install a set of MILVs in place. MILVs on a N55 would be awesome.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2018, 10:33 AM	#10
WiL335i Private 18 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Coupe Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Winchester, CA iTrader: (0)	I just recently performed this job by myself. It's not that difficult. It's basically the same thing as any other cars with the exception of the additional steps of removing the fuel lines that goes over the top of the valve cover because it's a direct injected engine. I believe there's a DIY thread here with step by step instructions and pictures. I suggest you read that thread. Somebody mentioned that the PCV valve is not serviceable and goes bad at around 80k miles, that is correct. I also bought the Uro brand valve cover and not the expensive BMW brand. I closely inspected the two and it looks exactly the same. It fits perfectly and I encountered no problems during the Installation. I saved over $200 on it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2018, 03:47 PM	#19
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	Can someone please tell us how to test the PCV exactly because that site mentions blowing into something but i am not sure where.. is the engine ON/OFF.. other details. A detailed explanation would be very useful. So we dont replace parts that dont need to be replaced or can see if a valve is on its way.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2018, 09:42 PM	#21
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	So here is the thing. These cars have a billion sensors sometimes for even useless stuff like brake pad wear that i can see with my eyes but no one thought it would be a good idea to measure that vacuume/pressure of the ventilation system ?? I have to use smoke from a match or a cigarette to test a pcv system ? Now i understand we can measure vacuum but the PCV valve air is not measured...why
	Appreciate 0 Quote