Valve cover stuck on - Help/Advice Please - VIDEO INCLUDED

BustedKnuckles · #1 12-10-2016, 07:22 PM

So I am working on the N62 4.8l this weekend. I already finished the oil cooler thermo gasket, doing spark plugs, resealing sensors, water pump, water pump stent, idler, tensioner, upper timing gaskets, spark plug tubes, etc, etc...

I've had a few hiccups along the way but persevered and am slowly getting everything done. But now I'm stuck... or rather, my drivers side valve cover is stuck. I took a video and posted it on YouTube to give you a better look and a quicker description. The video link is below. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Really trying to get this done by before Monday

. Looks like I may be renting a car though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7t0We1AEg

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BustedKnuckles · #2 12-10-2016, 08:53 PM

taking a break from the driver's side VC, I started to work on the pass side. Got all the bolts out and with a LOT of prying with a flat head around the perimeter of the VC I finally got it to pop off. I will go back to the drivers side and continue to work on it but it's being a lot harder.

BUT, even though I have gotten the pass side valve cover completely loose, I cant get it off, there doesn't seem to be enough clearance even though I have taken almost everything possible off/apart and out of the way. It's hitting the brake lines, the AC compressor lines, and the dipstick tube. I've un-bolted the dipstick tube and swiveled it out of the way as much as possible and I've got a helper holding things out of the way so that I can try to wriggle the VC off. But still no go... not enough clearance... I want to find the engineer's that designed this and give them a swift kick in the baby maker... This is my 3rd BMW but maybe my last. This thing is a fucking nightmare to work on... shit design choices left and right... any help/insight would be greatly appreciated as I'm about to throw in the towel and have it towed. I've searched on the Xoutpost and google but cant find my exact situation, always different models or engines. It looks like I got the mother of all PITA vehicles to work on. Oh joy...

BustedKnuckles · #3 12-10-2016, 09:53 PM

The passenger side VC is actually mainly hitting the ABS unit. There doesnt seem to be any way to get it off that I can see?

BustedKnuckles · #4 12-10-2016, 09:57 PM

OK, I think I found out what the issue is... The spark plug tubes are all stuck on the VC instead of the cylinder head... They are making it impossible to remove the VC. Any tips on how I should separate them from the VC? This is what is also causing the extremely stuck driver side VC. (which I'm still fighting...)

BustedKnuckles · #5 12-10-2016, 11:09 PM

UPDATE:

got the drivers side VC off. Finally said F it and decided I was either going to remove it or break it trying. A lot of prying and pulling back and forth and it finally popped off. Replacing the breather vent with a new one. replacing the sensor o-rings and cleaning it up before the new gasket and re-install.

Still totally stumped on the passenger one... again, the spark plug tubes are stuck on the VC and I have no idea how to get them off so that I can remove the VC. Anyone ever heard of/had this issue? Or can anyone lend some advice on how to get them off?

the_ulf · #6 12-11-2016, 01:04 AM

LightlyToasted · #7 12-11-2016, 06:51 AM

I will be doing this job on my N62 next spring.

Every video I've seen says that the valve covers are hard to remove, and some show some of the spark plug tubes stuck to the valve cover and coming off with the valve cover (they release from the bottom of the spark plug well). One video showed the guy wiggling the valve cover a lot to unset the tubes. If it were me (and it will be soon), I'd persist with the wiggling and prying until they come out. And I would consider replacing the tubes, as the seals like everything else made of rubber in this engine are likely to be hard as a rock.

Stay as patient as you can be - valve covers are expensive.

Coming from working on BMW's inline 6's, the V8's seem way more difficult in every respect. Twice as many of everything, a boatload of stuff to remove to get to anything, and very little room to work.

Best of luck.

sgrice · #8 12-11-2016, 09:21 AM

I don't know that engine at all, but I did see a BavAuto YouTube video about different options to remove spark plug connector boots. This link might be helpful to you BMW and MINI DIY Video, How to Remove Stuck Spark Plug Connector Boots | Bavarian Autosport Blog

Hope that helps. Good luck.

BustedKnuckles · #9 12-11-2016, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_ulf

Well at least I am entertaining someone...

After some much needed sleep, a deep breath, and a couple cups of coffee I'm ready to get back at the passenger side VC today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightlyToasted

I will be doing this job on my N62 next spring.

Every video I've seen says that the valve covers are hard to remove, and some show some of the spark plug tubes stuck to the valve cover and coming off with the valve cover (they release from the bottom of the spark plug well). One video showed the guy wiggling the valve cover a lot to unset the tubes. If it were me (and it will be soon), I'd persist with the wiggling and prying until they come out. And I would consider replacing the tubes, as the seals like everything else made of rubber in this engine are likely to be hard as a rock.

Stay as patient as you can be - valve covers are expensive.

Coming from working on BMW's inline 6's, the V8's seem way more difficult in every respect. Twice as many of everything, a boatload of stuff to remove to get to anything, and very little room to work.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the input LightlyToasted and sgrice. I'm going to keep fighting the passenger side today. Going to try and wiggle the VC around and work the tubes loose. Maybe get a hand or at the very least a ratchet extension or something inside the cover to knock them loose. I really wish it wasn't all 4 stuck to it though. The drivers side tubes were so stuck in the cylinder head that I had to take pliers to them to yank them all out. Hopefully that's not foreshadowing for the passenger side.

So far, everything that I have come across that is rubber on this engine is ROCK SOLID. The drivers side valve cover gasket was like hard plastic, the oil cooler thermostat gasket was rock hard, the spark plug tubes were rock hard, the VC grommets were all rock hard and breaking up and falling into the engine. I spent a good hour last night just fishing hard plastic chunks out of the top end.

Hopefully I got everything...

Any other tips/tricks/insight/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the support everyone!