x5 E53 V8 4.4 oil on plugs and in/along plug-coil gallery

[Rantanplan]

Hi everyone,

newbie here sorry..

Changing my 8 spark plugs and found oil inside the spark plug holes and sitting at bottom of spark plug/coil gallery..... this is an "oh dear" I guess.

Could anyone kindly advise me as to where's the oil coming from please?

I've looked at the rubber seal holding down rocker cover and looks good, but obviously can't see all of it due slant angle of V8.

If it is a Rocker cover seal/gasket, does
1) anyone have a engine parts diagram as to what it looks like and a part number for Mister EBay please?

2) Do I need Tom Cruise from Mission Impossible to do it if one wants to do it oneself please, or is it too difficult getting access to all the bolts holding down the rocker cover if that's what it is please?

3) Is there a Mister YouTube who shows how to change rockers cover seal if it is the problem please?

Very warm regards to all you experts

Cheers Mike
Melbourne Australia

[g300d]

Hi and welcome!

Oil in those areas is usually the gasket as you mentioned.

There is an outer gasket and an inner gasket surrounding the plug/coil channel, which is probably the one that gave way.

You can go to BMW Parts Catalog and you will find all the parts diagrams with part numbers for your entire car. Just input the last 7 characters of your VIN.

What year is your X? There were 2 different V8's, the M62 and then the N62 from the 2004 facelift-up. Just google N62 or M62 valve cover and you will probably find a few to choose from.

[TiAgX5]

If you don't want to re-do this job every few years, use the full Viton gasket set (includes rubber fastener seals).

I got the Genuine BMW gasket set from ECS Tuning (the only Viton set I could find 3 yrs ago).

You need an in/lb torque wrench for this job.

If you use "bargain" e-bay gaskets and keep this X, you will become really good at this DIY.

[StephenVA]

[Rantanplan]

A very big thanks G300D & TiagX5.... very much appreciated, great help great direction ta muchly.

I'm just a very average 'Joe-Sixpack' DIY with previous Jap cars of mine now delving into my fist X%, mind you its been a poisoned chalice at this beginning but I'm enjoying getting into the DIY BMW, my first job was replacing the Drive's door handle carriage and shortly thereafter the driver door lock failed as well.... thanks to Mr EBay for awesome cheap parts and Mr youTube on showing how to DIY these repairs, I'm now starting to enjoy fixing the X5 myself and buying just as good yet far cheaper parts outside of the Gold Plated BMW spares department at the local BMW dealer.

for info G330d, my X5 is an Aussie purchased 2003 E53 V8 4.4 M62/TU

Gentlemen, do you think this is the same gasket/seal that's been the cause of a continual dripping oil from under the X5 please? when I received the X5 last year it had done 140,000kms and I've taken it up to 180,000kms when I took the X5 for the initial Roadworthy bloke the mech said the leak is coming form a cover.. would this be the gremlin please gentlemen?

Warm regards from beaut Melb

Mike

[StephenVA]

You can bet that the valve cover gasket leak will make everything look like it is leaking, as the oil will run down the sides and rear of the engine as you drive.

Replacing them is an interesting battle but it is well documented on the "How to" articles on the top of the webpages.

Good luck and keep us in the loop as you move forward.

[StephenVA]

If you do a search on the forum you will find literally hundreds of postings asking for tips and tricks and pitfalls to avoid on valve cover (actually cam covers but who cares?)

[TiAgX5]

You might want to refinish the covers while they're off.

I used Dupli-Color Ceramic Caliper Paint (rattle can), has held up great.

[g300d]

No worries at all Rantanplan, glad to help.

Yup, as Stephen has said...a leak up there for long enough can almost cover the entire engine.

I would suggest you start with the cam cover gaskets since the plug/coil galley leak is most certainly from there, give her a good clean, then observe from there if there are any other leaks.

Less to worry about in washing the engine as these have a water cooled alternator and is swimming in water already lol!

As TiAg said, it would be a good time to paint those cam covers as well as they are probably peeling by now!

I did it with VHT muffler paint and didnt look nearly as good as that as it was a rush job.

TiAg, nice job on the covers man!

[TiAgX5]

Thanks g300d.

I had an engine rebuild shop in Lewisville hot tank & vapor clean them.

These steps are a must to remove the oil from the magnesium (the paint won't stick without oil removal).

Don't understand why BMW used a paint that turns green/brown with age.

This VAC Motorsport M62 had me considering Bavarian blue......