Valve Cover Gasket replacement

[tomgtv77]

Well my indie shop told me a year ago that the motor was leaking
oil. Since it doesn't take over 1 qt per 10,000 miles I wasn't too
worried. I change about 12,000/15,000 with filter with Mobil 1, 15w50
full synthentic. I live in South FL and tow a pair of Jetski's once
in a while.

So the other day the oil starting dripping on the exhaust manifold
causing smoke.........so maybe we ought to do something about it!

Now I've spent $15,000 on repairs on this machine so I'm aiming
for a record mileage.....say 300,000 at least.

Bought the gasket set from BMW for $44, plus another $35 for 15
grommets (there's 15 bolts). The gasket set includes 6 round
rubber rings for the spark plugs.

Took about 4 hours, pretty easy, I was going slow. Just a 10mm
wrench and away you go. The old gasket was as brittle as hard
plastic. It came out of the valve cover housing in chunks. I had to
take a screwdriver and pop the spark plugs ones with a hammer to
break them free from housing.

Sprayed everything with gel Gunk and they cleaned up nicely.

Put it back together and I'm ready for another 187,000 miles before
another gasket.......probably would do one at 100,000.

[Big "J"]

Nice pics!!!

Thanks for sharing!

[tomgtv77]

Moderators - I think you should change your pix settings.
On another forum, www.greenhulk.net we have the same software.
You post a pix and it puts up a thumbnail. You click to see full
image. This site it loads full size, kinda pain on the users! Makes
threads too big.

[misujv]

i just had the same issue happen to my vehicle. you described it the exact same way mine happened. i printed your post any other tips or "musts" i should do while im in there..

[primetime]

Originally Posted by misujv

i just had the same issue happen to my vehicle. you described it the exact same way mine happened. i printed your post any other tips or "musts" i should do while im in there..

You wanna do this pretty soon. If you don't you'll have a major smoke problem on your hands...Also, this may be a sign that your Oil Seprator is going bad. It usually always is a sign of this. Mine did the exact same thing. I had to find out the hard way...

[BGM]

I need to get one replaced as well. Indy shop quoted me $250. I can smell a little oil burning after I park but there's no smoke or anything. I was getting a low oil warning lamp on a couple times the other month but I put 2 more bottles of Castrol in and haven't had any since. But I will go in the next 2 weeks to get the gasket done--don't want to take a chance.

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by misujv

i just had the same issue happen to my vehicle. you described it the exact same way mine happened. i printed your post any other tips or "musts" i should do while im in there..

My rubber tube from the oil separator to the bottom of the dipstick
totally rotted off! It was really dumping oil at that point.

Also look at all the Oil Separator hoses and the device itself. I bought
a new one and the two other hoses for $110 from BMW, about to install
now.

Also look at all the vacuum tubing. Most of mine was shot.

I also had the "Adjuster" which is on top of manifold above the idle control
valve break. It's $235 or so, but it runs badly without it working. The paddle
had broken off inside off it's pivot points.

I'm at 203,000 miles and counting now.....

I am stalling intermittenly now, trying to figure it out. Hope the oil separator helps. I did clean idle control valve, it was scared, maybe needs replacing also.

[Brit6]

I'm trying to order my valve cover gasket since my old one is leaking.
According to this page:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...72&hg=11&fg=15

Which part #'s do i need to order?

I assume it's the big gasket and 15 grommets, what about the 2 small gaskets in the middle of the block?

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by Brit6

I'm trying to order my valve cover gasket since my old one is leaking.
According to this page:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...72&hg=11&fg=15

Which part #'s do i need to order?

I assume it's the big gasket and 15 grommets, what about the 2 small gaskets in the middle of the block?

you need #16 including the 2 small gaskets in the middle of that pic.

[djmilleroh]

Yeah my tech just replaced my gasket for me, he said I was at least 3 qts low on oil and he didnt know where it went to. Could it be in the Cylinders?????