S54 Cam Cover Gasket Pitfalls

[jontZ4M]

Hey guys

Following an oil weep from the top of the engine I plan to replace the cam cover main gasket and any auxiliary gaskets in the same place that come with the kit.

I've done loads of gaskets, but none on a BMW.

I just wanted to check that there weren't any well known pitfalls with the S-54 engine?

I was just planning to look for any sharp corners along the sealing surface that need sealing.

Speaking of sealing, is liquid gasket or silicone sealer recommended?

I suppose the bolts are to be tightening in a in-to-out spiral pattern?

Thanks a lot.

 

[maupineda]

Use a genuine gasket and you actually don’t need any sealant. But if you insist I would also recommend BM stuff. Is job you don’t want to do twice.

 

[PDJ]

I suppose the bolts are to be tightening in a in-to-out spiral pattern?

From TIS

Mount all cap nuts without preload. Tighten cap nuts in diagonal sequence from inside outwards.

 

[PDJ]

 

[jontZ4M]

Wonderful thanks as ever chaps! Ordered some Three Bond 1209 sealant. Best just follow the instructions.

I note also from realOEM that the main fasteners are 10NM setting.

 

[maupineda]

I would not do 10nm. Tight by feel and you will notice when the nuts button out, and you stop there. TIS does not call for a torque value. So realoem may not be accurate.

 

[jontZ4M]

I would not do 10nm. Tight by feel and you will notice when the nuts button out, and you stop there. TIS does not call for a torque value. So realoem may not be accurate.

Gotcha OK will do.

 

[jontZ4M]

I did the cam cover gasket today. The procedure was easy but the findings were unexpected.

The existing gasket was completely saturated through with oil. I've seen leaks before but never gasket failure on this level. No idea why.

I also noticed that there was no evidence of the 6 beads of silicone that are required, again not sure why.

New gasket is on now with the silicone sealant so let's hope that's the end of this problem.

I now have an urge to remove the engine to clean up the remnants of the leak on the side of the engine.