Rocker cover gasket..which is best

[firebobby]

I got a whiff of burning oil when I parked up yesterday, checked under the bonnet and looks like I have a leaking RCG
Which is the best one to get ?

 

[mr nurburgring]

I got mine from bmw, that’s the best but probably more expensive than other aftermarket ones.

 

[patriot66]

I have used Febi Bilstein in the past and currently have a Elring on the car as it was part of the X8R Vanos rebuild kit. Both brands are excellent quality imo. Also don't forget some decent black silicone RTV such as JB Weld for the half moon sections of the gasket

 

[firebobby]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those options, so you just put silicone on the half moon sections, not the whole gasket.

 

[Thrustyjust]

I have a gasket for my car, but can anyone explain removing the valve motor off the cover and refitting procedure as thats whats stopping me from changing it , please ?
Its not leaking, but want to do it as peace of mind. Also do you need to replace the motor gasket at the same time ?

 

[patriot66]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those options, so you just put silicone on the half moon sections, not the whole gasket.

Yes, just the half moons; paying particular attention to the corners

 

[patriot66]

I have a gasket for my car, but can anyone explain removing the valve motor off the cover and refitting procedure as thats whats stopping me from changing it , please ?
Its not leaking, but want to do it as peace of mind. Also do you need to replace the motor gasket at the same time ?

You have an N52 engine in your E86, which I'm not that familiar with. Maybe post your questions with an E86/N52 heading ?

 

[Rockhopper]

I have a gasket for my car, but can anyone explain removing the valve motor off the cover and refitting procedure as thats whats stopping me from changing it , please ?
Its not leaking, but want to do it as peace of mind. Also do you need to replace the motor gasket at the same time ?

If its not leaking then leave it alone would be my advice.

 

[Z4C_er]

So, firstly, I thought I had a problem with my gasket as well, and it turned out to be the valvetronic gasket instead. I bought both, but only needed the VT gasket. So, I have a spare. They sell on eBay for £25, you can have it for £18 posted. It's a genuine BMW part (number 11127582245). Do you have the N52 second gen or the first? ie black or silver rocker cover. Not sure if the RC gasket is different.
Next, if you want to remove the VT motor, there is a procedure, and that involves winding the motor's rotor out bit by bit. There's an allen key socket located at the back of the shaft of the motor. The motor is held in the head under compression. You need to progressively loosen the bolts and then wind it out, otherwise the whole motor and worm gear will shoot across the room (had that happen to a fellow I knew).
This is a good post, and has some links in it:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=99109

 

[Thrustyjust]

I have a gasket for my car, but can anyone explain removing the valve motor off the cover and refitting procedure as thats whats stopping me from changing it , please ?
Its not leaking, but want to do it as peace of mind. Also do you need to replace the motor gasket at the same time ?
[/quote

If its not leaking then leave it alone would be my advice.

I think I am looking at age of gasket and potential for a leak now that leaving it alone. I do have the gasket as well . Mine is a black top rocker cover. I was going through the 'foibles ' of the Zed and renewing as I do to keep it reliable. Plan was the NC500 this year, but now it hasnt happened means I can get it done before next years , as now rebooked.

 

[Thrustyjust]

So, firstly, I thought I had a problem with my gasket as well, and it turned out to be the valvetronic gasket instead. I bought both, but only needed the VT gasket. So, I have a spare. They sell on eBay for £25, you can have it for £18 posted. It's a genuine BMW part (number 11127582245). Do you have the N52 second gen or the first? ie black or silver rocker cover. Not sure if the RC gasket is different.
Next, if you want to remove the VT motor, there is a procedure, and that involves winding the motor's rotor out bit by bit. There's an allen key socket located at the back of the shaft of the motor. The motor is held in the head under compression. You need to progressively loosen the bolts and then wind it out, otherwise the whole motor and worm gear will shoot across the room (had that happen to a fellow I knew).
This is a good post, and has some links in it:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=99109

I could have that gasket off you. Maybe meet up at some point as only in Newbury way and always up for a drive out ? perhaps when distancing and pubs work out a little better

 

[Z4C_er]

So, firstly, I thought I had a problem with my gasket as well, and it turned out to be the valvetronic gasket instead. I bought both, but only needed the VT gasket. So, I have a spare. They sell on eBay for £25, you can have it for £18 posted. It's a genuine BMW part (number 11127582245). Do you have the N52 second gen or the first? ie black or silver rocker cover. Not sure if the RC gasket is different.
Next, if you want to remove the VT motor, there is a procedure, and that involves winding the motor's rotor out bit by bit. There's an allen key socket located at the back of the shaft of the motor. The motor is held in the head under compression. You need to progressively loosen the bolts and then wind it out, otherwise the whole motor and worm gear will shoot across the room (had that happen to a fellow I knew).
This is a good post, and has some links in it:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=99109

I could have that gasket off you. Maybe meet up at some point as only in Newbury way and always up for a drive out ? perhaps when distancing and pubs work out a little better

Sure, happy to meet up. PM me and we can do such when you're ready.

 

[firebobby]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those options, so you just put silicone on the half moon sections, not the whole gasket.

Yes, just the half moons; paying particular attention to the corners

I have bought the Elring from autodoc, didn't realize that they are in Germany :roll: , it comes with rubber sleeves, are they needed ?

 

[patriot66]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those options, so you just put silicone on the half moon sections, not the whole gasket.

Yes, just the half moons; paying particular attention to the corners

I have bought the Elring from autodoc, didn't realize that they are in Germany :roll: , it comes with rubber sleeves, are they needed ?

Is it like this ?

 

[firebobby]

Yes, just the half moons; paying particular attention to the corners

I have bought the Elring from autodoc, didn't realize that they are in Germany :roll: , it comes with rubber sleeves, are they needed ?

Is it like this ?9f0dff5e57ddc76bf878f2c261c22f52.jpg

That's the one

 

[patriot66]

I have bought the Elring from autodoc, didn't realize that they are in Germany :roll: , it comes with rubber sleeves, are they needed ?

Is it like this ?9f0dff5e57ddc76bf878f2c261c22f52.jpg

That's the one

Ok. Don't know which part they are referring to as 'sleeves' but in the photo below 1 to 4 are the 'half moons', 5 and 6 are the gaskets that seal the top of the spark plug tubes and 7 is the 15 rubber washers that seal all the bolts that fasten the cam cover down. You do need all those parts

 

[colb]

Thats a complete set, main gasket, centre plug well gaskets and all the rubber seals for under the cam cover retaining bolts. BMW TIS reccommend renewing those round rubber seals under the bolts when replacing the cam cover as they need to compress up to achieve the required seal around the cover and compress the main gasket. You will notice that the main gasket is rubbed across its width so that it has more chances of stopping oil getting past the gasket when installed. I always use Blue Hylomar gasket sealer around the half moon shapes at the front and back paying particular attention to where the gasket changes direction around the half moons. It is no surprise all of these gaskets and seals end up leaking, with the heat cycles they endure its only a matter of time before they go brittle and start breaking up, the centre plug well gaskets are particuly prone to this and usually tell you they have failed when you find oil in the spark plug wells drowning the plugs.

 

[firebobby]

They sell many types of kits from different manufacturers, they also sell 2 versions of the Elring gasket. One set has the 15 no 7's the other doesn't. So looks like I have bought the right set then.
Do you have to torque the bolts down.

 

[patriot66]

They sell many types of kits from different manufacturers, they also sell 2 versions of the Elring gasket. One set has the 15 no 7's the other doesn't. So looks like I have bought the right set then.
Do you have to torque the bolts down.

Torque all cam cover bolts to 10Nm. This is the tightening sequence I use. Go around a couple of times building up to 10Nm

 

[firebobby]

They sell many types of kits from different manufacturers, they also sell 2 versions of the Elring gasket. One set has the 15 no 7's the other doesn't. So looks like I have bought the right set then.
Do you have to torque the bolts down.

Torque all cam cover bolts to 10Nm. This is the tightening sequence I use. Go around a couple of times building up to 10Nm 20200905_002358.jpg

Cheers Si
I have an old screwfix Torque wrench that I use on wheel nuts, I always back off the spring once used and it's stored in it's box.
Hopefully that will be OK to use, don't want to damage anything.