Cylinder head cover aka Valve Cover

ykolin · 07-14-2014, 04:26 PM

Hello there.

I have E90 325i 2006 year. Had an oil leak, looked up online and realized it was a gasket. I ordered gasket with bolts, spark plugs ( wanted to change them at the same time, oil filter, coolant, and other little things for maintenance.

Anyway, i was working on my car this passed weekend. While was taking the cover off realized that one middle bolt was missing. Second thing that was very weird there was not a SLEEVE for spark plugs. The third and the last thing that bugs me, stay with me please since i'm not sure how to describe it but will try my best, is that on the spark plug shaft where the coil attaches to the Valve Cover there is a hole on that attachment. The valve cover looks ok to me.
I have a few questions to experienced mechanics or those who might be familiar with this matter.

1. How is it possible that one of the bolts are missing?

2. How is it possible that there is not a single SLEVE?

3. Would you recommend to change the valve cover if there is no damage except on the sticking out attachment where the coil connects to the Valve Cover?

I will upload a picture with that damage later today, since dont know how to describe that opening.

* updated *

pictures are attached.

Meeni · 07-15-2014, 06:57 AM

1: the missing bolt is broken in the head. It is probably the root reason for the leak. Be prepared to have to extract one or more broken bolts.
2: there are no sleeves on n52 engines, this is normal.
3: do not understand.

ykolin · 07-15-2014, 09:54 AM

Thanks Meeni.
I i could not locate only one bolt, but will double check today.

Could you recommend the best way to extract the broken piece?

Yes, i think that the reason it was leaking was cause by missing(broken) bolt, since 3 of my spark plugs around the missing bolt are filled with oil.

Now my concern is that, should i buy a new Cylinder Head or i might use this one for a while? I did not locate any damage nor cracks to the cover but what shown in the picture.

any recommendation is greatly appreciated.

Meeni · 07-15-2014, 04:44 PM

I have never seen something like that. I wonder what caused the valve cover to explode from the inside like that. Has the engine been rebuilt after ejecting a plug ?

ykolin · 07-15-2014, 09:59 PM

I'm curious myself.

no, the engine was not rebuild since it was operating just fine before i took the cover off.

Interesting thing is that the ignition coil looks normal, without any scarfs.
And I'm not sure if i need to replace the whole valve cover or just continue using this one.

ykolin · 07-16-2014, 10:53 AM

Well, it looks like i'm the only one who ever dealt with this kind of problem.

Since no recommendations nor suggestions on this forum, i have decided to buy a used Valve Cover off eBay for $100 just to be safe.

Love the car

and love the hustle that comes with it

"if you want to fuck at night, get a wife!
if you want to fuck during the day, get a lover!
if you want to fuck all the time, get yourself a car ! "

07-14-2014, 04:26 PM	#1
ykolin New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	Cylinder head cover aka Valve Cover - need sugestions Hello there. I have E90 325i 2006 year. Had an oil leak, looked up online and realized it was a gasket. I ordered gasket with bolts, spark plugs ( wanted to change them at the same time, oil filter, coolant, and other little things for maintenance. Anyway, i was working on my car this passed weekend. While was taking the cover off realized that one middle bolt was missing. Second thing that was very weird there was not a SLEEVE for spark plugs. The third and the last thing that bugs me, stay with me please since i'm not sure how to describe it but will try my best, is that on the spark plug shaft where the coil attaches to the Valve Cover there is a hole on that attachment. The valve cover looks ok to me. I have a few questions to experienced mechanics or those who might be familiar with this matter. 1. How is it possible that one of the bolts are missing? 2. How is it possible that there is not a single SLEVE? 3. Would you recommend to change the valve cover if there is no damage except on the sticking out attachment where the coil connects to the Valve Cover? I will upload a picture with that damage later today, since dont know how to describe that opening. * updated * pictures are attached. Attached Images Last edited by ykolin; 07-15-2014 at 09:45 AM.. Reason: adding pictures
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07-15-2014, 06:57 AM	#2
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	1: the missing bolt is broken in the head. It is probably the root reason for the leak. Be prepared to have to extract one or more broken bolts. 2: there are no sleeves on n52 engines, this is normal. 3: do not understand.
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07-15-2014, 09:54 AM	#3
ykolin New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	Thanks Meeni. I i could not locate only one bolt, but will double check today. Could you recommend the best way to extract the broken piece? Yes, i think that the reason it was leaking was cause by missing(broken) bolt, since 3 of my spark plugs around the missing bolt are filled with oil. Now my concern is that, should i buy a new Cylinder Head or i might use this one for a while? I did not locate any damage nor cracks to the cover but what shown in the picture. any recommendation is greatly appreciated.
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07-15-2014, 04:44 PM	#4
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	I have never seen something like that. I wonder what caused the valve cover to explode from the inside like that. Has the engine been rebuilt after ejecting a plug ?
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07-15-2014, 09:59 PM	#5
ykolin New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	I'm curious myself. no, the engine was not rebuild since it was operating just fine before i took the cover off. Interesting thing is that the ignition coil looks normal, without any scarfs. And I'm not sure if i need to replace the whole valve cover or just continue using this one.
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07-16-2014, 10:53 AM	#6
ykolin New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Lauderdale iTrader: (0)	Well, it looks like i'm the only one who ever dealt with this kind of problem. Since no recommendations nor suggestions on this forum, i have decided to buy a used Valve Cover off eBay for $100 just to be safe. Love the car and love the hustle that comes with it "if you want to fuck at night, get a wife! if you want to fuck during the day, get a lover! if you want to fuck all the time, get yourself a car ! "
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