OK, it's my turn.

145,000 Miles. I noticed puffs of smoke when idling. I have already replaced the PCV Caps and diaphragms - no soap. When I got home today, I let the car idle and for about 4 minutes there was no problem. Then a little smoke started flowing from the left exhaust. a minute later it was also flowing from the right. Another minute after that it was like a bug fogger went off.

So, if I look for a used AGA tools kit, is there anything in the kit that could be damaged or bent and therefore make the kit not worth the money?

I don’t personally own one but they look pretty solid. I could see the potential for maybe missing one of the brush stoppers or possibly tweaking one of the “crows” feet that compresses the spring out of squares, but I would imagine even that is pretty unlikely.

I know a handful of the guys on here either own one or have rented it, I’m sure you’ll get some good feedback.

As an alternative to the AGA tool and saves you a few bucks:

https://supershop.store/products/bmw...CABEgLu-fD_BwE

NOTE - I have not used either tool yet so I can’t say one over the other, but they do the same job.

I've used both in the same project - rented AGA and then bought my own alternative tool. They work essentially the same but AGA tool admittedly works a bit better and has a better fit-and-finish, but that absolutely does not just the cost difference in any way. The alternative tool works just as well. Had I not used AGA tool earlier, I would have thought nothing less of the alternate tool.

As for breaking the tools, you'd have to work very hard and be extremely lucky to break any part of it ;). Both tools are solid.

Thanks a lot for the alternative tool kit (edit: unfortunately, it seems to be universally unavailable)... That looks much more reasonable. Has anyone here used or been exposed to both tool kits - and can say what the major difference is?

You might consider this a "nervous energy" or "fraidy cat" question:

Anyway...

If the piston for the cylinder you are working on is locked at TDC. Is there enough room in the compression chamber for the valve to actually (irretrievably) drop into the cylinder? Or will it fall onto the top of the piston with enough of the stem still exposed to be gripped and retrieved?

The reason I ask is that I do have an air compressor and I am thinking of doing the job using it vs. the "rope (or bungy) trick." Only thing is I am looking for any reassurance that if I did bump the valve being held by air pressure (or if the air pressure failed for whatever reason) and dropped the valve, that I can still retrieve it. If not, then I think I would prefer the assurance of a mechanical block (AKA rope).

N62 engine valve stem seals
 

From everything I have read, heard and seen to date, rope is the way to go for sure.

That said, no, with the piston at TDC there is not enough “drop” to actually lose the valve, but you will play heck getting around and under everything to retrieve it.

Rope [emoji106][emoji106]

Oh, and I believe it’s cylinder 2 that has to be just beyond TDC, so there is a bit more pucker factor there.

I will be starting this very job next week.. and I will be going with rope.

Do you know if you have to follow instructions provided with the tool kit (if any), or are there step by step instructions available somewhere other than videos that can be lost or deleted from YouTube?

Ahh crap, I just noticed that too... best I found was $500 for the AGA tool on eBay and that looks like it’s already gone too...

Sorry to get your hopes up ☹️

X5only (and others on here) have posted BEAUTIFUL step by step “instructions” for this job.

I will be using the post by X5only to do my own VSS job and am very confident that it will be successful.

Actually not sure if the tool really comes with a “how to” per say, just more of a guideline on how to use the tool - you are way further ahead to use one of the guys posts on here - they have GREAT experience [emoji106]

You can review this video by AGA for usage. I advise to review as many videos as you can before tackling the project. I spent almost a whole month reading and reviewing about the project. I didn't want to leave anything to chance and end up messing up my X5 instead of fixing it. But that's just me as I tend to be slow but thorough and sure in my DIY projects.

https://youtu.be/0I61gyCeCfE