N62 engine valve stem seals

[mr_robot]

I still don't know what to do about this. E70 was doing but it's gone but now dealing with similar with my 4.8iS.

From Westlotorn I wanna believe it's not my VSS as I don't have any of the symptoms like he described when VSS fail.

I did change both CCV and corresponding hoses but still smoke slightly after extended idle ONLY. I'm due to do all my gaskets soon and if I'm gonna do the valve cover gaskets might as well do the VSS don't you guys think? So I don't have to do things twice?

Currently at 117k miles.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by mr_robot

I still don't know what to do about this. E70 was doing but it's gone but now dealing with similar with my 4.8iS.

From Westlotorn I wanna believe it's not my VSS as I don't have any of the symptoms like he described when VSS fail.

I did change both CCV and corresponding hoses but still smoke slightly after extended idle ONLY. I'm due to do all my gaskets soon and if I'm gonna do the valve cover gaskets might as well do the VSS don't you guys think? So I don't have to do things twice?

Currently at 117k miles.

I too didn't want to believe it was the VSS causing my smoking issue on extended idle. I changed both valve cover gaskets and all the other seals including upper timing cases and the vacuum pump seals. What a waste of time and effort - still smoking on extended idle. I kicked myself hard as I'd done 80% of the valve stem seals work Right now I'm doing the VSS myself in my garage, and I can tell you from the condition of the ones replaced so far, they're definitely the culprit of the smoking - rock hard and with some I could almost see the gap between the seal and the stem after removal.

The major question is why didn't I want to believe it was the VSS? Fear of the difficulty of the work to replace them. I've discovered it's not hard, just time consuming. I watched 10's of DIY videos of VSS replacement to come to this conclusion. And you don't need an air compressor after-all.

[mr_robot]

Yes, just in denial that's all LOL also because it doesn't smoke on extended idle when it's cold, only after it's been warmed up.

[CleanIsFast]

When you guys do the VSS, are the seals an upgraded version?

[mr_robot]

I've read that the newer N63 seals are the updated ones that withstand the higher temps of the turbos.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by mr_robot

Yes, just in denial that's all LOL also because it doesn't smoke on extended idle when it's cold, only after it's been warmed up.

Yep, same with mine, which is because the oil is still thick.

[Victorious4.8is]

Originally Posted by Westlotorn

I see a couple people have changed the valve stem seals. Did you look inside the intake manifold prior to doing this job to see if you really needed Valve stem seals?
If your intake was wet with oil your issue was not valve stem seals.

I have smoke after a brief idle coming from my 2006 4.8is. I inspected the hose going directly into the top of the intake manifold and there is a decent amount of oil in there. I have already ordered replacement diaphragms for the CCV's. Current ones were torn nearly all the way around. I'll report back the results after the new ones are installed and everything is cleaned and put back together.

As a mechanic, I must say your theory that the culprit of the smoke is not the valve stem seals and the true cause is being masked in the replacement of all the seals during the process of replacing the valve stem seals is very interesting and makes a lot of sense. The symptoms everyone is experiencing is not typical of worn valve stem seals. However, we are dealing with a BMW and anything is possible I guess. My plan is to attack everything else except the valve stem seals. There are several oil leaks on my engine so I'll seal those up first and see what happens. I'll post my results but I think you may be on to something here.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

When you guys do the VSS, are the seals an upgraded version?

Yep, most definitely - the red ones as seen in the AGA video.

[mr_robot]

Originally Posted by X5only

Yep, same with mine, which is because the oil is still thick.

Damn...I'll do it soon but going to pay to get it done. Local guy wants $2500 (parts & labor). Found him on another bmw forum and couple guys already got it done by him with good reviews. He's tech at BMW and does this on weekends (backyard mechanic) Now that it's getting super cold plus shorter days, I don't want to deal with this headache.

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by X5only

Yep, most definitely - the red ones as seen in the AGA video.

Cool, good to know. Thanks!

----


I just replaced my two breather hoses and pressure regulator valves and the smoke is definitely less than it was previously. I am going to assume I need to just "blow out" any residual oil that was in there and report back. Both hoses were oily, enough so to even drip out. One regulator seal was completely torn! Easy DIY and I am happy I did it. I did see an oil leak coming from the vacuum pump so that'll be next.