HELP! Whistling Noise and Running Rough after Valve Cover Gaskets 2007 3.0SI X5

[Txchoicemotors]

Please help me out...

Ive searched and searched and ive gotten nowhere

I replaced the valve cover gaskets on my 2007 X5 3.0si . They were leaking badly causing a very slight misfire due to oil in the plug wells.

When i put it back together CLEARLY something was wrong...

It started fine, after it warmed up there was a very loud whistling noise acompanied by three codes and rough idle followed by stalling and dying

2a99
2a98
2a87

I opened everything back up..

Noted there was a small bean shape plastic part that did break off the valve cover and i used gorilla glue (Suposedly heat resistant) to glue it back to the cover.. If anybody suspects this is my problem please stop me now because i'll go order a new valve cover asap...

I've double tripple checked the gaskets, they are fine.

Cleaned and swapped the vanos solenoids

replaced the ecentric shaft seal (Noted there was a very minor amount of oil in the sensor but that was caused by removal and install, I cleaned it out and reassembled

Replaced the valvetronic seal

Unhooked battery for 30 minutes, Plugged back up and Inserted key for 1 minute before starting to reset the valvetronic

PCV valve is connected...

Upon cold start the engine runs fine! No Problem at all

After 5 minutes of run time the idle goes really rough and it stalls


Help please! I'm loosing it!

[Txchoicemotors]

i know somebody has info on this. please help.

[Txchoicemotors]

Really guys? 100 views and no replys to such a detailed post?

[mpe50]

I had an '08 3.0 that developed a horrible whistling/chirping and idle issues. Whistling never showed up on cold start, only after being warmed up. Then re-starting the warm engine would result in a rough idle that would get close to dying and jump around. Noise usually almost always happened when letting off the throttle.

Looked at every possible cause....but it turned out to be the PCV. Mine had had a new valve cover gasket put on a long time back, and they damaged the PCV breather pickup it seems. Though it honestly doesn't seem all that uncommon for the PCV to go bad after 75,000+ miles from what I've read.

That would explain the rough idle, noise, and the fact that it only seems to happen after the oil is up to temp. Unfortunately there isn't any real way to repair the PCV valve as it's integrated into the valve cover. So means a whole new valve cover.

Best way to test for the faulty PCV is to get it up to operating temp to where it's whistling...park it with the engine still running. Pop the hood and try and open up the oil filler cap. If it's the PCV valve that's faulty...it should be creating enough vacuum to make it incredibly difficult to get open. I had to pry mine open.

[Txchoicemotors]

Yep, it's impossible to open, and I am pretty sure I damaged the pickup tube as well. Really stinks to have to spend $400 on a valve cover for a $10 part

Does anyone recommend any aftermarket parts?

[mpe50]

Kind of ridiculous design. I know the e53 had a separate PCV that could be replaced easily and cheaply. No aftermarket valve covers that I'm aware of, nor would I really trust one. Those go through a lot of heating and cooling cycles, and a crack is no good.

I know I came across a posting somewhere where somebody was selling a kit to repair the PCV valve. Super cheap, but required breaking the plastic welding apart and prying it open...then replacing the diaphram....then gluing it back together. Probably like $30. No idea on the success rate on that one.

[Txchoicemotors]

New valve cover fixed it today, still not understanding how changing gaskets caused it to malfunction. But after spending $100 on gaskets without buying the valve cover itself.. Then I had to buy the whole valve cover for $400 only to find that BMW sells the valve cover complete with those gaskets I spent $100 on so that was a waste... What a disapointment.

Overall what would have cost $27 and 45 minutes of my Time on my z06 cost me $700 and over a week of misdiagnosis

Woohoo

Side note I have a super clean e70 x5 up for sale again now!!

[lt_texan]

We just had our indy replace the cam cover gaskets. These were in horrible shape. Brittle and oil leaking into the manifold. Really nice.

Now after the engine is good and warmed up, I get a whining sound (okay, maybe a whistle) when we slow down and stop.

The sound continues as we sit and idle.

When I press on the accelerator and start moving, the sound stops.

It doesn't happen all the time, just when fully warmed up.

I guess I should check the pcv valve.

[mpe50]

Haven't heard of the cam cover gaskets going bad, but definitely check the PCV. It's a doable job if you give yourself a weekend and take it slow. I kind of enjoyed it actually.

But then 5 other things popped up, and I sold mine on like Txchoicemotors. Love the E70, but crazy the amount of maintenance on these things. I still look at them longingly on the road, but enjoying my warranty.

[Davidf]

When the PCV valve fails, and the valve cover gaskets are in good shape and not leaking, then the easiest place for the air to enter the engine under vacuum is the rear main seal which causes the whistle noise.