The Valve Cover Bolts are not torqued very high, the spec is about 89 in. lb. You will need new grommets for the bolts. The bolts can easily be over torqued with a 1/4-inch drive handle. Be careful.

7.4 ft·lb is not much. Needs to be done with A torque wrench not just saying click.


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Not always.

Yup. Use a tiny 1/4 inch torque wrench and also definitely use new grommets. Don't skimp on those.

When I do it I use a small round 1/4 inch finger ratchet till they just get tight. Then the torque wrench. You'll barely turn it before it clicks in most cases.

I had success with my 3.0i following the Bentley instructions (page 113-2).

Drei Bond 1209 on the half-moon corners (corners only) and aluminum seams up front by the VANOS. Nothing else.

When torquing, what I found, which is what I think should happen, is that you first torque things down (lightly of course) as the hard surface approaches the hard surface, compressing and sliding the rubber. So there is a lot of turning going on until the hard contact first occurs. Then after that, the actual angle to get the specified torque value is pretty minor. Kind of similar to the oil filter cap.

If you reach the torque spec without bottoming out the plastic, I think that is a problem. If the plastic cylinder head cover (valve cover) is warped in between bolt holes, as it commonly is to some extent, you might have sealing problems, requiring a new cover.

Good info for him.

I can't stand the plastic valve covers on the m54's. They warp and crack way too much. If you do need to replace it make sure it's oe spec. Not some crap off ebay or Amazon.

Better yet do the m56 valve cover if you need to replace yours. I have it on my m54b30 e46 and m54b30 e53. No more leaks, no more warping, no more cracks and biggest bonus..... no more excess oil consumption because you can bypass the POS ccv system that's under the intake.

How likely is it for the oil to leak out of the grommets? The grommets on top of the valve cover with the bolts holding them in place.

Couple of grommets look like they have rust on it? may be the washers.
I may have washer fluid run down to the grommet area. It may explain the rust.

Very common leak source. It's why people said make sure to use new grommets


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