Valve cover tips?

[80stech]

If you order an OE valve cover gasket then get the OE rubbers as well, they are pricey but they need to match the rubber of the valve gasket. The metal covers actually come with pretty high quality gaskets and rubbers WITH new bolts and washers. Part of the common sense too is to tighten evenly, just in case it needs to be said, I guess you never know who is going to read this

[Factory6speed]

Vanos rebuild is a little involved, you have to lock the cams with the timing kit. I just did this on E36 m52 and it was a nice improvement. The unit was rattling bad and there was a lot of play. Runs great now.

For the valve cover, the only thing that hasn't been said is a couple small zip ties to hold it in place while moving it over, as you always see done with the oil pan. On the X5 I went for new genuine bolts. On the e36 I got the bremmen bolts from ECS and they are fine. I didn't want to try the uro bolts. Agreed on no torque wrench, new rubber grommets.

[80stech]

No special tools are needed for doing the vanos on the M54 AFAIK. My wifes needed to be done ( cel and lots of codes) when we bought the car I think with well under 200k ish kms on it and I don't remember using any special tools. Mine has 475k km on it (bought with 190k) and never been done afaik and never had any symptoms but I am now getting a flashing oil light when hot at a stop light so "maybe" it might be partly due to vanos seals. I tried blocking off the oil line to the vanos but I'm not confident I got it blocked completely so might do that if I need to take the valve cover off.

[X5chemist]

Thanks for the info. I'll use my small ratchet tightening method. I'll order an aluminum cover replacement. I'll plain check it before installing it.

Since Vanos clatter when they go bad, I'll wait for codes or rattling signs. Work will be quicker to keep it running.

[X5chemist]

Here's the trail I saw when I checked the oil level yesterday! I had to investigate how a trail like that made it up to the vanity cover.
Once I get the cover off, I'll use a brush to clean the exhaust manifold shields. I'm making room in the garage to move it inside for repairs.

[BimmerBreaker]

That is almost certainly not from a valve cover gasket leak. That is probably just condensation or something similar.

Valve cover gasket leaks will present as oil leaks from the valve cover downwards. If leaking onto the exhaust it will also be accompanied by smoking.


Per your original post, I also wouldn't pre-emptively replace working O2 sensors. Really no need to do so. O2 sensors out of the box have a surprisingly high failure rate, and unless something fouls them (welding an exhaust without removing them, spraying the sensor or plug in cleaner which ruins the clean air reference intake, burning excessive oil fouling them) then they can last for, in most cases, the life of the engine.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

That is almost certainly not from a valve cover gasket leak. That is probably just condensation or something similar....

I had a similar oil spray/leak on my vanity cover, 2.5 years ago. I replaced the filler cap and the gasket, and it never reappeared.

[BimmerBreaker]

Your leak appears to be from a failed oil cap gasket. Maybe that is his issue too, but if so it's weird there isn't continuity between the cap area and the "moist patch"

[andrewwynn]

Slightly weird but it’s very windy under the hood. A small leak will be vapor and result find a flow path from the cap to the stain.

[X5chemist]

It's weird for sure. I did replace the cap gasket a while back. A new cap was ordered. It didn't have BMW or Castrol embossed on it. I took the seal off and put it on the OEM cap. I did see fumes/smoke come out the hood left side when returning home from a short trip. I flipped the seal to see how it holds up. I'll order another cap and take the seal of it.

The mechanical clutch engages properly. Plus, the brushless aux fan spins up fast for cooling or A/C. It's weird because the streak was not there like 4 weeks ago. It was topped off and I refilled the 1 quart I carry in the back. Water level was stop on. The exhaust covers were covered in oil. The rear cover was really bad. I reached back there with a towel and some brake cleaner. Using a mirror, I was satisfied it was okay to drive. It's annual emissions test passed easily.

I head out to New Braunfels. On the highway, I reset the MPG for consumer 1. It was bouncing between 24.5 and 24.7. I delivered an old unused table to a retired friend. While we go have lunch, I drop it off at Tint World. I mentioned it had just passed inspection. The eye brow goes down a little below the mark line. From the inside, it looks great. I'll snap a picture in sunlight.

An aluminum valve cover order was stopped due to damage. A new one hopefully will ship soon. If not, I have a source for an OEM plastic cover.

The O2 sensors will be left alone until codes pop up. With MPG up high, it's running great. The extra long run time at high RPMs does the engine good. I could tell the engine sound was smooth. After returning, I stopped by a friend's house. He's outside and comments the engine is purring really smooth.