s54 Valve cover gasket recommendations
- Thread starter alane29
- Start date
Funny thing, I did with the elring one, however it did not leak from there but from the area above the exhaust cam sensor, I even try and apply sealant there and it did not work, i was even worrying the issue was my aluminum cam cover had warped. Then I read in E46 forums how many had had issues with aftermarket ones.
With the OE one I used nothing anywhere and has been leak free for 2 years.
With the OE one I used nothing anywhere and has been leak free for 2 years.
does the oe gasket set now days come as a kit including the spark plug gaskets, cam cover bolt grommets , and the washers for the oil drain? i cant actually remember as its been so long since i ordered one, i need to get a new set ready for the valve adjustment this year.
grannyknot
Member
Whether you go with aftermarket or OEM be sure to follow BMW's torquing sequence specs, off the top of my head it is done in 3 steps, each progressively tighter.alane29 said:
I still have the same Victor Reinz gasket for 50k+ miles and have had the valve cover off at least 5 or 6 times in those miles. Usually, I'll apply fresh Drei-bond to the half-moons in the rear and where the VANOS meets the cylinder head every other time the cover comes off. It stays leak free other than some light sweating which is pretty typical especially if you don't wash the engine bay.
It is surprising to hear that multiple people have had issues with the Elring gasket. They make the head gasket, oil pan gasket, VANOS gasket and a few other S54 gaskets for BMW.
It is surprising to hear that multiple people have had issues with the Elring gasket. They make the head gasket, oil pan gasket, VANOS gasket and a few other S54 gaskets for BMW.
Always fit Elring cam cover gaskets set which includes the sealing washers for the cover retaining bolts (15) and have done a few replacements now without any issues. On the 2.5 BMW TIS instructions say to use gasket sealant only around the half moon shapes at the front and rear of the cover where the gasket changes direction and between the Vanos at the front. I use Blue Hylomar for the sealant which is good enough for Rolls Royce and Areo engines so ok for the Z. If you look at the bolts on the 2.5 they have a shoulder on them so when tightened up that shoulder contacts the metal of the head compressing the gasket against it and the ribbed seals around the gasket as well as the round rubber seals. Do not overtighten the bolts you run the risk of snapping them.
Cylinder head cover to cylinder head Size M6 Torque to 11 Nm.
Cylinder head cover to cylinder head Size M6 Torque to 11 Nm.
Did valve clearance checks and some other work a few weeks ago, went with elring, very light dabs of sealant at the corners of the half moons at the back and at the seams where the VANOS bolts on up front. so far, no leaks whatsoever. Guess I'll be watching it closethough, I hadn't heard of Elring being problematic.
I rate Elring. I have worked with their engineers and they actually know what they're talking about. I fitted a kit to my car last year when I did Insp II and had no issues. I can't speak for long term as I replaced it recently with another Elring set after the VANOS refresh - still no issues.
S54s cam cover gasket is so straight forward in the Z4M. It's surprising how quickly one is able to take off. Putting it back on takes slightly longer due to the torque sequence, but all in maybe half hour?
S54s cam cover gasket is so straight forward in the Z4M. It's surprising how quickly one is able to take off. Putting it back on takes slightly longer due to the torque sequence, but all in maybe half hour?