[RNByrd3]

So I changed the vcg on my 2011 328xi not quite two years ago due to an oil leak on the right side of the motor that kept hitting the exhaust manifold. Now it's leaking AGAIN as of about 2 weeks ago. I don't know how this could happen in such a short span of time. I ordered the gasket from FCP, so it'll be free when I return the old gasket, but it's a huge pain to have to change again.

Anyone else experience a failure this quickly?

I had the car parked for about 3 or 4 months recently while I waited for KW to rebuild my coil overs…could sitting for that period of time without the motor running cause the gasket to prematurely dry out?

[chilledn52]

maybe the torque rating on the bolts themselves were not 100% to spec

[RNByrd3]

Good point. Thanks for your reply!
I guess I could go around and check the torque on each of them before tearing everything apart.

[RNByrd3]

Though I find it odd that it would be leak-free for almost 2 years and then start leaking due to the bolt torque not being correct. I used a torque wrench for the job.
Anyone else have any thoughts?

[desertman123]

Is your valve cover original? It's probably warped. Or is currently on the move, hence the torque being off.

[RNByrd3]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Is your valve cover original? It's probably warped. Or is currently on the move, hence the torque being off.

Valve cover is original and is the stupid plastic one.

[chilledn52]

Ive also switched from 5W30 to 5W40, so at operating temperature the oil will be thicker and harder to leak

[AdrianE36]

It could also be the Valvetronic actuator gasket. Is there any oil pooling in the spark plug valley by the actuator?

[chilledn52]

When you installed your valve cover gasket, did you use some RTV in the corners of the bends of the gasket. That is where it tends to start leaking first

[RNByrd3]

Originally Posted by AdrianE36

It could also be the Valvetronic actuator gasket. Is there any oil pooling in the spark plug valley by the actuator?

I'm going to take a look at things over the weekend and will check it out. Thanks for the reply!

[RNByrd3]

Yes, I did use RTV. Thanks for your reply!

[0l0dom0l0]

New valve cover needed.

[desertman123]

Not affiliated, but I've been having good luck with the eBay aluminum valve cover

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...&postcount=191

[Donethat]

I had a new Rein Vc leak from the eccentric shaft sensor seal a month after install.

[kkasson]

Yeah it's worth checking carefully to make sure it is actually leaking from the VCG. Sometimes even spilling oil while filling it will cause it to drip down and eventually look like the valve cover itself is leaking. If you haven't done so already I'd say to clean everything that you can on the top and try to carefully check where it's coming from before you go forward with doing the VCG again.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by RNByrd3

Valve cover is original and is the stupid plastic one.

No good shop I have ever heard of would replace the gasket without also replacing the cover too (at least the plastic ones). And I think for exactly this reason - they plastic covers warp, crack and leak on their own, even if the gasket itself hasn't failed yet.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Not affiliated, but I've been having good luck with the eBay aluminum valve cover

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...&postcount=191

I got a cheap one of these to mess around with. Seems pretty decent - but I'd spend some time inspecting/cleaning it up a bit before using. But since it's metal, at least if it's not totally crap it should still last longer than the plastic ones..

[chilledn52]

When doing the stage 3 intake manifold I also upgraded to a used magnesium cover with the external oil separator. This is due to it being more reliable then the plastic and not worrying on any cracking. Installing wise needs slight adjustment but afterwards have not had any problems.

[RNByrd3]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

No good shop I have ever heard of would replace the gasket without also replacing the cover too (at least the plastic ones). And I think for exactly this reason - they plastic covers warp, crack and leak on their own, even if the gasket itself hasn't failed yet.

Thank you for your reply. I replaced it myself, so I've got no shop to blame.