M54 valve cover gasket replacement questions

JSz4

Member
Few days ago I noticed an oil leak around the front left corner of the valve cover of my 116k 2003 3.0 Z4 (M54) so suspect the valve gasket has failed.

I've ordered a BMW replacement gasket and washers and after reading that it's a straightforward job am considering giving it a try, however, since most jobs I attempt go horribly wrong I'm not sure and had a couple of questions if anyone could help.

1) Are the valve cover bolts one time use or just the washers? Is there much risk of these bolts snapping?
2) I've a low setting torque wrench but am I right in thinking I just need a 10mm socket and extension bar?
3) If there are bolts securing the coils in place what torque are these?
4) What's the best way to clean the surfaces of the cover and engine after removal? I was planning to use brake cleaner on a lint free cloth and razor very lightly if required
5) Is blue hylomar sealant literally only required on the two humps at the front and rear of the cover? Do you need to wait for the sealant to go off or do you apply it and then fit the cover immediately?

Any help or advice would be really appreciated as pretty apprehensive about attempting it, cheers
 
It's a fairly straightforward job.
1) Re-use the bolts
2) Yes
3) No bolts, just pull up the lever on the top and pull them straight out
4)That'll be fine
5) Yes. I don't wait, fit more or less immediately. And it's only needed in the corners where the humps leave the flat surface, not all the way over the hump.

Additional advice:
You will need to undo the coil earth leads. From memory I think an 8mm socket. Be careful as the whole stud can spin and then you wrap up the lead and can damage it.
Block off all oil drain holes once the top cover is off. This will top anything disappearing into the bowels of the engine. In particular the gaskets round the plug holes will be more akin to bakelite than rubber and shatter into a thousand pieces.
Carefully note how the loom runs around the bottom of the cover so you can put it back correctly.
When you replace the top cover, double check it is sitting properly and not chafing on any wires.
For a first time attempt, give yourself a couple of hours.

If you were near me I'd say come over and I can talk you through it, just for peace of mind.
 
The only other thing I’d add to be wary of is the crank case breather hose- they become brittle and break when you lever off

It’s not the end of the world if it breaks but easier to go steady!
 
Personally I wouldn't use a metal razor blade. A hard plastic edge/scraper is kinder to the aluminium. Also, when removing/scraping any old hard gasket or plastic CCV pipes etc hold the nozzle of a decent vacuum cleaner like a Numatic Henry as close as possible to where you are working. Most, if not all of the debris will be safely vacuum'd away :thumbsup:
 
Thanks a lot for the advice, really appreciate it. Cheers enuff_zed, shame I'm not closer.

That's helpful to know about the coil earth lead, I'll be careful.

I'll block the oil drain holes, what do people normally use to cover the engine and avoid rubbish dropping in, is a towel ok?

Thanks bigwinn, I couldn't really see from vids how you release the crank case breather, is it pretty obvious?

Cheers patriot66, will try and find an assistant to hoover and have got a plastic scraper now
 
JSz4 said:
Thanks a lot for the advice, really appreciate it. Cheers enuff_zed, shame I'm not closer.

That's helpful to know about the coil earth lead, I'll be careful.

I'll block the oil drain holes, what do people normally use to cover the engine and avoid rubbish dropping in, is a towel ok?

Thanks bigwinn, I couldn't really see from vids how you release the crank case breather, is it pretty obvious?

Cheers patriot66, will try and find an assistant to hoover and have got a plastic scraper now

Yeah v simple

You can see how it clips on the outlet- you press either side on the securing ring and it should slide off
 
JSz4 said:
Thanks a lot for the advice, really appreciate it. Cheers enuff_zed, shame I'm not closer.

That's helpful to know about the coil earth lead, I'll be careful.

I'll block the oil drain holes, what do people normally use to cover the engine and avoid rubbish dropping in, is a towel ok?

Thanks bigwinn, I couldn't really see from vids how you release the crank case breather, is it pretty obvious?

Cheers patriot66, will try and find an assistant to hoover and have got a plastic scraper now
I just used several bits of kitchen towel, screwed up and stuffed in every hole I could see.
 
Took me a while to do this as lots of parts were hard to remove and slow process cleaning the remains of the gasket from the engine but I found the point the gasket had failed which was reassuring.

I've been checking regularly since replacing the gasket and no sign of leaks so really pleased and thanks very much for all the advice :thumbsup:
 
JSz4 said:
Took me a while to do this as lots of parts were hard to remove and slow process cleaning the remains of the gasket from the engine but I found the point the gasket had failed which was reassuring.

I've been checking regularly since replacing the gasket and no sign of leaks so really pleased and thanks very much for all the advice :thumbsup:
Glad you got it sorted. Satisfying isn't it? :thumbsup:
 
Morning all!

This is a job I now need to do on my 2003 3.0 Z. Any recommendations for a good quality gasket kit?

Thanks so much!
 
poortomsacold said:
Morning all!

This is a job I now need to do on my 2003 3.0 Z. Any recommendations for a good quality gasket kit?

Thanks so much!
Elring are good. Make sure you get the kit that includes the 15 rubber seals under the bolt heads
 
enuff_zed said:
poortomsacold said:
Morning all!

This is a job I now need to do on my 2003 3.0 Z. Any recommendations for a good quality gasket kit?

Thanks so much!
Elring are good. Make sure you get the kit that includes the 15 rubber seals under the bolt heads

Thanks so much - you continue to be such a rapid source of excellent support!! Love this forum!!
 
I always use an Elring gasket kit that includes the 15 round rubber bolt seals, it is important to replace these when doing the gasket as they gor hard and don't compress when bolts tightened. Also use gasket sealant only around the half moon shapes on the head at front and rear where gasket changes direction.
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/elring/7625587press.
Do check Autodoc using your reg number to ensure you get the right kit the above link is for a 3.0li M54.
 
Sorry the link didn't work, try putting your car details in on the site and you will find the Elring set
Try this link but do check using your car details
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/elring/7625587
 
ELRING 318.600 Gasket Set, cylinder head cover
with seal rings. Article number: 318.600
EAN: 4041248624760
Link on my last post worked for me
Description
Supplementary Article / Supplementary Info:
with seal rings
Components deviate from OE
Goods tariff number:
8409919990
Item number:
318.600
Our price:
£ 28,36
Manufacturer:
ELRING
EAN number:
4041248624760
Condition:
New
Trade numbers: ELRING 318.600
 
Perfect! Found it by using the part number - so odd it wasn't showing when I searched separately for it!

Just need to find the sealant and I'll get the order in!

Thanks again!
 
I use Blue Hylomar sealant, never had any fails with that and I have changed a good few of them now including my own 2.5
 
colb said:
I use Blue Hylomar sealant, never had any fails with that and I have changed a good few of them now including my own 2.5

Excellent- thanks so much for the recommendation, I'll go.with that one!
 
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