[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by owdi

Was your car throwing a code?

No codes, went in to just get the gasket replaced, they found the valve cover was cracked and replaced it, all under sulev warranty.

[mainbearing]

I should have check with the dealer even if it was not explicitly written in the warranty manual.

Therefore OP should try to push it, even with BMW NA.

[owdi]

Just submitted my order to FCP Euro for $715 with tax and shipping. Still need to buy oil, battery (got a fault today, grrr), and tools, so expect to get north of $1000.

I decided against replacing the valve cover, water pump & thermostat, or crankshaft seal. Those were all going to be a lot more money and a lot of work. At only 70k miles it seems too soon.

BMW Valve Cover Gasket Kit $121
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11127582245kt3

BMW Engine Oil Filter Housing Gasket Kit $26
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11428637821kt1

BMW LZFR6AP-11GS Spark Plug - NGK 95712 x6 $80
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...plug-ngk-95712
Current plugs are probably fine for another 30k but might be fouled with oil

BMW Starter Motor Kit $176
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-kit-sr0492nkt
To fix a grinding noise on start problem

BMW Engine Oil Filter Kit $9
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...xi-x3-041-8195

BMW Air Filter $22
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...er-mann-c27114

BMW Carbon Activated Cabin Air Filter $18
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...filter-cuk8430

BMW Serpentine Belt $45
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...lt-11287628650

BMW Drive Belt Idler Pulley $18
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...em-11287535860

BMW Belt Tensioner Assembly $47
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...em-11287530314

BMW Coolant/Antifreeze $22
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ze-82141467704

BMW Windshield Seal $30
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...op-51317061967
The current seal is disintegrating and looks bad.

[owdi]

Looks like the main problem was a leaking valvetronic motor gasket, listed as BMW Eccentric Shaft Actuator Seal - Genuine BMW 11127552280. See attached picture, plug #4 (counting from the front of the car) was swimming in oil.

I could have replaced only this gasket for $30 and saved a ton of time. Oh well, everything from the Valve Cover Gasket kit from FPC Euro is installed, other than the new metal spark plug tube seals. The old tubes were in perfect condition after cleaning with carb cleaner. I'll try to return those to save $31.

The old valve cover gasket was in great shape, still flexible, but the old spark plug gaskets were completely carbonated. I had to spray with brake cleaner then break them apart to get them out. They felt like plastic, not rubber.

I replaced my plugs as well, even though I was only at 70k miles. I don't have a tool to measure the gap, but I could visually see the gap was larger on the old plugs.

Pro tip #1 - if you're doing this in a 328i sedan, definitely remove the wiper motor cover, which means you have to remove wiper arms. You don't have to disconnect the wiper fluid hose, just move the cover up and out of the way to get an extra 2 inches of space. While it's possible to get the valve cover in/out without doing this, its way easier if it's out of the way. It's also way easier to get at the back 3 valve cover bolts near the firewall.

I suspect all the broken off valve cover PCV valves, mentioned in most valve cover replacement videos, are caused by removing the valve cover without first removing the wiper motor cover. It took me half an hour to wiggle it out the first time, and removing the back screws was a pain, but once I moved the wiper motor cover out out of the way, the valve cover took a minute to install.

Pro tip #2 - when cleaning the old valve cover, protect the PCV valves! I covered mine with rubber gloves held in place with rubber bands. You DO NOT want to get any brake or carb cleaner in there, as it will destroy the rubber, and ruin the entire valve cover.

Pro tip #3 - be meticulous in the cleaning of the channels that seat the new valve cover gasket. Use paper towels and solvents to completely clean these out, so they are dry from oil. Expect to burn 1-2 hours on this. If you leave oil in there, you have a gap, and oil can seep through.

[owdi]

All done with engine work, no more smoke, but still have a leak. I get a drop from the oil pan every 10 minutes or so when the car idles. Going to call for quotes to do the oil pan gasket

This took me about 30 hours over several days, mostly because I went very slowly, watched lots of youtube videos, took lots of pictures, and cleaned stuff.

• Replaced Valve Cover Gasket + Spark Plug Gaskets
• Replaced Spark Plugs
• Replaced Valvetronic Gasket + Eccentric Shaft Sensor Seal + Secondary Air Injection Check Valve Gasket
• Replaced Oil Filter Housing Gasket + Oil Pressure Switch
• Replaced broken plastic Coolant Hose Flange with a new aluminum flange
• Serviced the starter, cleaned out dust, replaced gear grease
• Wiped down intake manifold (had about a teaspoon of oil in the entire manifold)
• Inspected intake valves, they look great, no carbon buildup
• Degreased front of engine and oil filter housing
• Replaced Serpentine Belt, Pulley, Tensioner (after degreasing)
• Cleaned lots of crud from the windshield cowl and seals
• Changed Oil, Oil filter, then reset service date
• Changed Coolant
• Changed Air Filter
• Changed Cabin Filter
• Installed new battery and registered it

I saved about $3000 by buying my own parts and doing my own work, so $100/hr, I'll take it.

All that just in time for the damn Brake Service light to turn on. *sigh*