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  #1  
Old 01-15-2025, 12:59 AM
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Permanent VCG solution M54?

Hey guys, with 3 bmws it's so hard chasing around common problems, trying to fix everything up, and before you have time to fix the second thing, first one breaks again lol.
I've already replaced VCG with oem gaskets, and that wasn't that long time ago, not more than 30km.

Is there any permanent solution?
I've read some upgraded to M56 valve covers, but it still leaks. I've seen aluminum valve covers on amazon/ebay, but not sure how good they are. At about $400 CAD, I don't want to buy junk.

Had anyone replaced the VCG completely with RTV lol?
I'm just looking to see how to do it once and for all, or for at least 10 years, like other gasket that last a long time...
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  #2  
Old 01-15-2025, 01:16 AM
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I'm not sure you really want to solder the VC...as you know it's not a difficult job.
I did it during Covid and it's still holding strong, made several round trips over 900 miles each from then to now. Job calls for yes, a quality gasket..."elring" brand is the best I'm told. At the time I used a popular aftermarket brand. My thinking was "heck the car is over 200k"
The half moon areas I used black rtv all went well from there.

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Last edited by getty150; 01-18-2025 at 07:30 AM.
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  #3  
Old 01-15-2025, 10:04 AM
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You need OE, (original equipment) BMW gaskets AND grommets, NOT OEM. The Chinese metal replacement covers are pretty good and come with pretty good gaskets as well. This has all been talked about in other threads so maybe research a bit.
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Old 01-15-2025, 10:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 80stech View Post
You need OE, (original equipment) BMW gaskets AND grommets, NOT OEM. The Chinese metal replacement covers are pretty good and come with pretty good gaskets as well. This has all been talked about in other threads so maybe research a bit.

Agree on the genuine OE BMW gaskets AND grommets. All others will leak sooner.

FYI - Aluminum valve covers won't help you. My S54 on the Z4M has an aluminum valve cover and it still seeps/leaks after some times, but genuine OE BMW gaskets AND grommets last the longest of them all. I've tried elrings, victor reinz gaskets and don't have good luck with them.
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  #5  
Old 01-15-2025, 11:25 AM
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No, there are no permanent solutions. Neither the aluminum cover nor the m56 will last much longer (if longer at all), they still have gaskets...

They need good quality gaskets, the rubber bolt grommets to be replaced and RTV at the rear half moon joints and timing cover to head joint. I don't usually use BMW gaskets for the M54, that engine is not very picky - I'll use elring or victor reinz, my personal M54's have so far 50k miles on them since last VCG job and no leaks yet.
I also don't see a benefit to the aluminum cover, unless your stock cover is warped (unlikely imo)

A pure RTV gasket will last the least amount of time of all...

It's just inevitable they will leak eventually. The crankcase is pressurized, the pressure will eventually force oil out of the gasket. Keeping the CCV system well maintained can minimize this.
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Old 01-15-2025, 11:27 AM
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As others have said the Elring gaskets are the way to go. I've had nice results with the loctite 5970 sealant that BMW uses on the newer engines. They used to use the drei bond on these. I've heard people talk about the elring gasket maker product, that's supposedly very nice. You could lightly cover the whole surface in that just don't get globs down in the engine.

I think mine might actually be warped, there is again some oil in the number five spark plug well, after replacing the gasket. I will have to take it off again and check it with the straight edge. I'll probably opt for the genuine replacement over the aftermarket aluminum ones, just because of the devil you know / devil you don't know situation.

I don't know about 10 years, but is it really that big of a job? I think I can probably do it in appx one hour. Just cleaning the RTV off the rear is the worst part. And don't break that stupid CCV hose. Which I've already broken on both the E36 and e53. The direct inject models are so much more of an ordeal to do the valve cover. Once you do that a few times, the simple m54 is such a relief.

It's not possible to get these cars into perfect shape. As soon as you do 2 hours or so down the road something will pop up asking for more money.
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Old 01-15-2025, 01:08 PM
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I think the m56 valve cover with its viton gasket will last the longest...It's also a (arguably) better CCV design, although replacing the CCV diaphragm and cap is a challenge.

I have an M56 valve cover in my E39, using its original viton gasket and am happy with it.

the M56 gasket is still available part# 11127521009
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Old 01-16-2025, 12:13 AM
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Thanks for advice guys! The best I can remember, last time I either used Felpro or bmw gasket. I know it's a small job, but between million projects, I'm really tired of doing jobs twice. I just did 2 VCGs on E39 M5 and M54 is a lot easier for sure...but I already almost live in the garage with those 3 bmws lol! I would like to avoid doing the same jobs this often.
I've already tried the regular gasket, so maybe it's time to try something different.
M56+viton is something I haven't tried, plus it takes care of the ccv system.

Effduration, seems like you've done the conversion,
Would you say this kit has everything in it that's needed?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/235779185444...mis&media=COPY
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  #9  
Old 01-16-2025, 12:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwe5320023.0 View Post

Effduration, seems like you've done the conversion,
Would you say this kit has everything in it that's needed?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/235779185444...mis&media=COPY
Yes it does, except for the oil fill cap.. I have the M56 cap, but I am told you can use the standard M54 oil fill cap also.. It's also missing the M56 beauty covers but they are not needed. You will want to use one of the hoses for the stock CCV (or buy a new one) to connect the M56 valve cover to the intake. But you can search on that.

I would want to get some assurance from the seller that the M56 CCV diaphragm is not torn, but you can't pull the diaphragm cap and check without destroying it . If you already have the pencil style coils you won't need to rewire the coil harness in. I didn't.
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  #10  
Old 01-16-2025, 08:51 AM
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Mine has a new aluminum valve cover and seal.
I see two flaws in the design. One, the "bolts", bottom out if you tighten them too much. Second, the seal is not wide enough. The gasket goes mostly into the cover grove. My secret to sealing leaks is adding an extra layer. For the sparkplug holes, only the extra liquid seal is applied thinly on the oil "cover inside". RTV for half moons and VANOS mating surface. A thin layer on the head sealing surface. I've done several different manufacturer valve covers. None have come back for leaks. I'm hoping the X5 will do the same. I have two other seals to use if necessary years from now. Fel-Pro and a FCP one.

The OFG has been holding up for two years now.
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Last edited by X5chemist; 01-16-2025 at 10:54 AM.
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