2007 E85 3.0si Rocker Cover Replacement - what else would you do?

[dgmx5]

So I will be looking to get the rocker cover replaced in the next few weeks.

The car is at 156k miles. Owned the car for 8 years and bought at 115k miles. The exhaust tips are sooty and I think it is running rich.

I have had to top up the coolant by 800ml today so despite replacing the expansion tank when the water pump went a couple of years ago, I may be looking at having to get that replaced again.

Apart from the rocker cover gasket, new bolts (to replace the aluminium single use bolts) and the valvetronic gasket, what else would you do at the same time? Car will have an oil service, and I need to replace the brake lines too as they are corroded.

I believe the CCV is an integral part of the rocker cover for the N52K. Is there still a breather pipe at the back? Should I look to replace the rocker cover entirely?
Oil filter housing gasket. Would now be a good time to replace given the rocker cover is off?
Small and large DISA?
Clean or replace Vanos Check Control Valve?
Clean or replace Vanos solenoids?
Can the eccentric shaft sensor be cleaned or if this is sitting in oil, does it need to be replaced?

Anything else? Or advice on what is/is not necessary?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jameszy]

I would personally change the eccentric shaft sensor - the VDO part is £180, but they don’t last forever and would be good to sort whilst the valve cover is off

 

[dgmx5]

I would personally change the eccentric shaft sensor - the VDO part is £180, but they don’t last forever and would be good to sort whilst the valve cover is off

Thanks Jameszy

Anything else?

 

[Mr Tidy]

If there are no signs of leakage around the oil filter housing I'm not sure I'd want to disturb it, unless you want to do it as a preventative measure.

I'm a great believer of the old adage "it it ain't broke" etc.

 

[Tango22]

About to have the rocker cover gasket replaced on my 2006 2.5 N52 so following this with interest.

I assume the smaller 2.5 (Non-Si) N52 has the same gubbins as the 3.0? I.e. Disa valves x 2, Vanos etc?

 

[NeilP]

You've got a good list there, for peace of mind, would be looking to replace rather than clean the above part list. Also for the eccentric shaft sensor, get a new gasket for the rocker cover too.

I would also look at O2 sensors and engine/gearbox mounts (suggesting both based on age & miles covered). Also cleaning the VANOS filters, replacing VANOS solenoids, knock sensor, and camshaft position sensor (avoid the cheap ebay ones, they don't last). Lastly, new spark plugs and coil packs too if there's no recent evidence of them being done.

Based on the general consensus, most of the sensors on these engines have an expected mileage span of around 100k miles, so would be replacing things for peace of mind even if it appears to be okay! (Sorry if my suggestions aren't wallet friendly! :roll: )

 

[dhobbs]

How do you get to the vanos filters on the n52?
I had a quick look and the air conditioning pipes are in the way.
I did a search on YouTube and found a guide for the 1 series and they had to go in via the wheel arch (liners removed).
Sounds like a hassle.

 

[dgmx5]

Thanks all for the suggestions above.

Any other suggestions welcome before I start the buying of parts.

Recommendations for which rocker cover to go for? I am thinking to replace the cover itself
as it has the integrated CCV and it is probably mullered. And do the pipes at the back from the integrated CCV need replacing too?