Has anyone changed their own rocker gasket on a 2007+ N52 engine?

[Z4C_er]

As above, just wanting to get a feel for the job.
For example, need to bottom out torque vales etc. for the M7 bolts ie is it 8Nm or 8Nm plus 90deg?
Plus any other hints and tips!!
Thanks!

 

[Mangozac]

Is that the version with the plastic cover and plan bolts (not single use aluminium bolts)?

According to TIS it's 15Nm, but this site doesn't seem to account for year specific variations: https://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_series_e85/z4_3.0si_n52_roadst/4_tightening_torques/11__engine_(n52)/12__cylinder_head_with_cover/1_azd__cylinder_head_with_cover/

 

[Z4C_er]

Yes Mango, it's the plastic cover with the M7 steel bolts. Thanks, 15Nm looks about right.

 

[Mangozac]

Yeah it was only the non-reusable aluminium bolts that required the angle torque. 15Nm is indeed a plausible sounding torque for this application

 

[ontheroad12]

I replaced my valve cover a couple of months ago. Found a brand new genuine cover with all gaskets and bolts for £170 on ebay.de.

Tightening torque is stated on a sticker on the plastic cover itself as 8.6Nm +\- 0.6. Remember it's steel bolts, but into an aluminium head.

Be careful removing the cover once you have the bolts out, it's dowled at the corner nearest to the oil filter and the opposite corner nearest the brake resevoir. Lever too hard in the wrong place and you can brake the plastic cover around the dowels. Its made from quite brittle stuff.

Other than that it's fairly straight forward, but you might need a second pair of hands to hold the wiring harness out of the way, depending on how many connectors you undo.

Good guide here;

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/ENGINE-Valve_Cover_Replacement/ENGINE-Valve_Cover_Replacement.htm

Matt

 

[Z4C_er]

Thanks ontheroad. Good advice, and yes, that Pelican parts website is a great resource.
Did you perform the 'relearn'?

 

[Mangozac]

Tightening torque is stated on a sticker on the plastic cover itself as 8.6Nm +\- 0.6. Remember it's steel bolts, but into an aluminium head.

Wow, that's a lot less than the 15Nm specified in TIS! If it's on a sticker on the actual valve cover then I'd go with that.

Did you perform the 'relearn'?

I didn't when I did an N52. It shouldn't be necessary unless you screw around with the valvetronic system.

 

[Z4C_er]

OK, but by 'screwing around' what do you mean?

I know that you have to unwind the motor to get it out (to disengage the gears) and then wind it back in on reassembly, so immediately it has lost it's place. But this is OK?

 

[ontheroad12]

I just did the ignition on/off sequence mentioned and had no issues.

I don't think valvetronic motor rotational position is critical, it's just a worm gear. As I understand it valve lift (throttle opening) is monitored by the eccentric cam sensor, unless you change the sensor or mess with the valve gear I can't see any reason to need a relearn.

So no need to get the laptop out.

 

[Z4C_er]

OK, that makes sense. Yes the sensor should communicate back to the motor to align position.

Finger's crossed.....

 

[DOOM]

Performed the task also myself on December, with the help of a friend, who -as correctly mentioned- helped mostly by holding the wiring harness.
I, too, bought a new valve cover (for 170€) instead of just changing the gasket. Noticed a fair amount of oil so guessed that I should go all the way (after all my Z4C is over 10 years old), even though it was more a "I want peace of mind" thing.
Didn't have any issues with the "relearn" procedure, even though I tend to think it's more or less a placebo thing..
You just have to be careful and that's it.
Lots of help from these vids on YouTube;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8041cMesl4&t=1305s
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNTrQGxtB6I&t=925s

 

[Mangozac]

OK, but by 'screwing around' what do you mean?

I know that you have to unwind the motor to get it out (to disengage the gears) and then wind it back in on reassembly, so immediately it has lost it's place. But this is OK?

Removing the motor doesn't class as "screwing around"
The relearn would be if you were to adjust any of the other valvetronic components; replacing just the motor itself does not require it. I've just looked it up in ISTA (the actual BMW service software) to confirm. Strangely, I can't find any information on bolt torques for the plastic cylinder head cover though

 

[Z4C_er]

Yeah, thanks DOOM and Mango, been looking and researching myself on this as well. Apparently it will cycle itself and reset it's position when you turn the key for the first time. Also, by the sounds of it, I must flush out the connector to the sensor with contact cleaner before I reconnect.

 

[Z4C_er]

Had a look at my leak last night and it seems to be coming from the valvetronic gasket. Oil is pooled up besides the spark plug boot housing and it's overflowing down to the manifold. So that's where I'll start.

 

[DOOM]

Same here!
I also had a small quantity of oil inside the housing of some of the spark plugs, 3rd and 4rth (prior and after the valvetronic gasket) if I remember correctly. I have pictures of before and after, I'll post them if it helps.

 

[Z4C_er]

Thanks, that'd be great. Although I have no oil around coil number 3, just 4 (next to the valvetronic motor and closest to the firewall).

 

[DOOM]

well hello, my beloved engine!


this is the wiring harness that will get in your way. Just be patient and bring a friend along.




coil No 3 clear, coil No4 could do better.. My bad, stating that coil No3 had oil, didn't remember well


there's the culprit

 

[Z4C_er]

Hi DOOM, thanks for the post but I can't see any images?

 

[DOOM]

I just logged out and entered the specific thread and the pics seem to be working.
Does everyone have the same problem with these photos?
I use photobucket and these are not the only ones that have been uploaded here.

 

[Smartbear]

I just logged out and entered the specific thread and the pics seem to be working.
Does everyone have the same problem with these photos?
I use photobucket and these are not the only ones that have been uploaded here.

Hi, you have to pay the extortion specialists (photobucket) to host your pics these days or you get the “upgrade your account” blackmail threat that’s where your pics should be :headbang:
Rob