Argh. Valve Cover Gasket is kicking my arse.

David.X5 · #1 06-29-2015, 09:46 PM

I could use some advice from _someone that has actually done this_.

I have a brand new BMW gasket. Right side was easy. Left side is winning. Like the Harlem Globetrotters against the Bad News Bears. I can't get it into place. Tried stuffing it onto the valve cover first. Tried placing onto head first. Tried holding it different ways. Can't manage to get my hands in the right place to keep the gasket in place and manuever it into the engine compartment.

Not sure whether it is better to put the little dabs of RTV onto the head locations or the gasket... in either case, it ends up mostly on my hands!

The Bentley says it is not necessary to drain the cooling system, but I am close to doing that to move the heater hoses and expansion tank out of the way. They are currently zip tied to get them mostly out of the way.

Valve cover also gets snagged on the fuel line quick connect pretty much every try. Was thinking about popping that off, too...

It's late. I'm frustrated. Would love some good ideas to get me started after work tomorrow...

I was just reading a DIY for the N62 engine (not what I have) and they suggest "tacking" the gasket to the VC with some RTV before starting work. Anyone do that on the M62?

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o3x5e53 · #2 06-30-2015, 12:09 AM

I tackled mine VGC on the expansion tank side. it was such a bitch. Especially the injector wire box. So sick of it. I have so far only done one side. Which is the coolant expansion side. I ended up wrecking the whole injector/electrical box and bent the metal tabs that support the box up to lift the valve cover off. I'll be doing a wire-tuck like I did for my Honda project I worked on at home.
From this bunch of wires..

To this. Heat wrapped/shrunk and sleeved all individually.

heinz13 · #3 06-30-2015, 09:38 AM

I sprayed some 3M 77 Super adhesive on both the gasket and valve cover, let it tack, and stuck them together...worked very well.

David.X5 · #4 06-30-2015, 09:26 PM

Whew. Got it done tonight.

Suggestions for anyone finding this thread in frustration:

1) Definitely tack the gasket to the cover somehow. I used some dabs of the permatex ultra black, which is supposed to be close to the recommended 3bond 1209. Heinz13 said he used spray adhesive.

2) Put the little dabs of sealant (half-moon corners, front cover seam, etc) on the gasket and not on the head.

3) What really turned the corner for me was draining the coolant and disconnecting/moving the heater hoses and expansion tank completely out of the way. I had replaced my hoses 2 years ago, so the plastic ends weren't too brittle. If you have original hoses or an original expansion tank, there is a chance to break some of the plastic parts if you do this... I suggest this should be the standard method.

I also released the pressure in the fuel system and disconnected the flex fuel hose that is also in the way.

After that the VC just dropped into place and I had good visibility to make sure the gasket was seated in the back properly. A little more prep time, but saves lots of aggravation. I think it is a time saver overall.

Quicksilver · #5 07-01-2015, 12:17 AM

Thanks, Very informative post. I think I'll let the Indy do this job.

JAXX5 · #6 01-08-2016, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.X5

Whew. Got it done tonight.

Suggestions for anyone finding this thread in frustration:

1) Definitely tack the gasket to the cover somehow. I used some dabs of the permatex ultra black, which is supposed to be close to the recommended 3bond 1209. Heinz13 said he used spray adhesive.

2) Put the little dabs of sealant (half-moon corners, front cover seam, etc) on the gasket and not on the head.

3) What really turned the corner for me was draining the coolant and disconnecting/moving the heater hoses and expansion tank completely out of the way. I had replaced my hoses 2 years ago, so the plastic ends weren't too brittle. If you have original hoses or an original expansion tank, there is a chance to break some of the plastic parts if you do this... I suggest this should be the standard method.

I also released the pressure in the fuel system and disconnected the flex fuel hose that is also in the way.

After that the VC just dropped into place and I had good visibility to make sure the gasket was seated in the back properly. A little more prep time, but saves lots of aggravation. I think it is a time saver overall.

Thanks for the info... this is my task for tomorrow AM. I knocked out the passenger side previously due to a failed coilpack project. Now I'm gonna tackle the drivers side. This info should help.