Valve Cover Gasket Installation?????
 

I was just wondering if anyone has a video on a valve cover gasket replacement/installation for a 2001 X5 4.4. If there is a video it can save a lot of time and money for the DIYers.

Thanks in advance

I don't believe there is a video, but there is a DIY with detailed pictures. I'm sure a search will pull up what you want.

Hi milesz ,
did you read the diy on e38 .org
we can help with anything not clearly understood if you need more explanation .
are you replacing both cover gaskets , the battery cable on the X5 left cover is placed different to the e38 diy .
there is a service manual available from www.bentley publishers.com , this is very useful along with the diy posts
Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Procedure (long) (No 56k!) this is the diy showing how to remove the clips for the wiring box on the M62 engine . this is on a 740i but very similar to X5 .
http://bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/valve...valvecover.htm this is from e39 tips .

Yes and thanks for the site info. But as you know, descriptions are good, descriptions and pictures are better and videos are the best.

I searched on youtube and found a video for a X5 3.0 valve cover gasket replacement. In the video the guy talked and explained "how to" while he was removing parts. I know that will be sooo helpful for the 4.4 DIYer.

after removing all the bolts , my cover was stuck solid .
1 hour soft hitting a piece of softwood with a rubber mallet to unstick it .

the right side VC is VERY difficult to replace due to the hoses in the rear corner.

Ditto on the driver side valve cover being PITA to put back on
 

I had to keep my hand under the vc and re-adjust the gasket when it tries to fall off. All while trying to navigate the cover past hoses etc.

There are lots of good write-ups already. So I'll just add two techniques that saved me hours of work.

1. Use a tiny amount of Gasket Tack on the inner surface between the VC gasket and the VC, just in the corners and other areas, apply enough to retain the gaskets while trying install the VC. Guarantee the gaskets will not fall out.

The gaskets will get very slipper after you liberally apply glycerin (I used Fleet Liquid Glycerin suppositories:D; got it from Walgreen’s in the laxative section)--Gasket Tack helps keep them from fall out of place.

2. I was so demoralized when I first tried to remove the old gaskets from the VC without this simple tool. The gaskets were stuck to the VC like solid pieces of granite. Took me at least an hour of trying (got only about 3 inches off--I felt so defeated) before I had a discovery learning moment. I used this crooked L shaped pick like a lever to pry out the gaskets. Its diameter fits perfectly into the grove of VC, and it easily remove the gaskets. Took only minutes to remove all the gaskets (and gained back my self-confidence).

Last thing, about the clips on the fuel injectors. I used a Craftsman 9” long right angle pick; it’s super thin, but has strong metal sharp point that easily fits into the metal clips of the injector connectors. I’ve read all sorts of horror stories about how difficult they are to remove. I did not have any problem at all, and it only took about 10 minutes on each side. I attributed my positive experience to this little tool.

Enjoy your therapeutic project.

Oh, how I wished you had made a video of the entire process. I have the Bentley Service Manual but its not that clear to me. Please, the next time you preform this and similar repairs, please shoot a video and post it for all to learn.

Thank in advance

I'm knee-deep in my valve cover replacement project on my '03 4.4i. I must say, this project is an absolute beast. In all my years of working on cars, this is probably the most difficult thing I've ever run across.

That being said, I managed to get the passenger side done, without having to remove those wretched fuel injector clips. I managed to wrestle the cover off before I learned the clips even existed. One look at the clips, and I told myself that if I could get the valve cover off without removing the clips, I should be able to get it back on. Sure enough, with the help of a bunch of string to firmly attach the gasket to the valve cover while wrestling it back in place, I was able to get it done. I'll post some pictures later on my method.

As for the drivers side, holy crap! There's practically zero clearance past all the coolant hoses. After about two hours of intense struggling, I was finally able to yank the thing out of there. It's a miracle I didn't break it, or damage the mating surface. Or that I didn't even lose a single washer! But now, it's obvious that there's no way I'll be able to get the valve cover back in place with the new gasket without removing the square plastic tunnel that houses the wiring for the coils (I forget the official name of it) which is secured with those damn clips. So, if I don't want to tow the car to a mechanic to finish the job, I'm going to have to get those clips out. One person said they had success with a 9" long Craftsman right angle pick. Any other tips? I've tried removing the clips using a shorter pick but they just stare back at me, mocking me.

And an even bigger question - assuming I can get the clips off, and that I can consequently free up enough room to get the valve cover back on, how on earth do I get the clips back on? There's maybe a 1/2" slit between the head and the plastic channel to work; obviously it's possible, because other people have done it, but how exactly? Thanks.