Valve cover gasket E 85

T

Tomsdad

Member
I need to replace the valve cover gasket on my 2007 3.0 Si N52 engine done 60,000 miles. We have had this car for 3 years now and I have only had to change the starter motor and clean the vanos solenoids.
So although I am comfortable working on the engine, I need to get all the advise that I can. There are some good videos on you tube and its clear that the N52 is more complicated than the M54.
Apologies in advance for any stupid questions, but I'm an oldie whose experience is on cars before ECU, multiple ignition coils and fuel injection. ( Ford Capri was so simple!)

So here we go
I believe my car has a magnesium valve cover ( X3's with the N52 had plastic?)
The multiple bolts (21 I think) that hold the valve cover down are aluminium.
Q1. Do i need to change these. If so why?
Q2 Should I change the valve tronic motor gasket?
The gasket kit from BMW is £50 and I think only has valve cover gasket and the round ones that go around the spark plugs (tube seals)
Q3. Is there a kit of parts available with all gaskets and screws that are needed?
When removing the valve tronic motor one video shows winding the 4mm Allen bolt which disconnects the motor from the worm drive clockwise and one shows anti clockwise.
Q4. Which way should it be wound to release the motor?
Cylinder sleeves/aluminium tubes / ignition coil tubes not sure how to refer to these or what they should be called.
Q5. The videos show removing these tubes. I don't understand why. Surely they can stay in the valve cover
Q6. Videos say the vent hose often breaks trying to undo it. Is this the case? Worth getting one in case?

I know it's a lot of questions, but your help and advice if you have done this gasket is appreciated.

Tomsdad
 
Hi Tomsdad,

Take a look at this thread: Valve Cover (& Gasket) Replacement (E89)

I wrote this up when I replaced the whole valve cover on my N52, so should have most of the info you need on the procedure.

Here are my answers to your questions above:

Q1: Yes, you need to change them....I believe it has something to do with the interaction between the two metals menaing they can't be used twice - better to replace and be confident they are alright.

Q2: The part is not expensive - I would replace it otherwise it may just leak in the future as it will have been disturbed.

Q3: Not sure, but couldn't see one on eBay.

Q4: Clockwise - see my thread above.

Q5: They may stay in the valve cover or they may pop out and stay in the engine...they are supposed to be single use (this is probably why they are removed in the video), but I re-used mine without any issues.

Q6: It can get very brittle I believe - mine was okay and car had about 55,000 mile son when I did it.

Hope that helps
Mark
 
Right. So I went to the BMW main dealer to buy the parts. They told me that the screws holding the rocker cover only need to be replaced if the car was manufactured 2006 and before. When he showed me on the computer we looked at a 2006 car with same Engine and where it showed the gasket it also boxed in the bolts with a note that they have to be changed. On looking at my engine (2007) it did not have this. So he went off to talk to the workshop manager who agreed that mine do not need to be replaced. . Also the spark plug/ignition coil tubes, the workshop manager said they never ever change them. Even though on the computer they are said to be use once and replace.
So I am undecided as to whether to change the bolts or not. I wonder what the changes in the rocker cover or screws were from 2006 to 2007.
 
Tomsdad said:
Right. So I went to the BMW main dealer to buy the parts. They told me that the screws holding the rocker cover only need to be replaced if the car was manufactured 2006 and before. When he showed me on the computer we looked at a 2006 car with same Engine and where it showed the gasket it also boxed in the bolts with a note that they have to be changed. On looking at my engine (2007) it did not have this. So he went off to talk to the workshop manager who agreed that mine do not need to be replaced. . Also the spark plug/ignition coil tubes, the workshop manager said they never ever change them. Even though on the computer they are said to be use once and replace.
So I am undecided as to whether to change the bolts or not. I wonder what the changes in the rocker cover or screws were from 2006 to 2007.
Click to expand...

Do your bolts have blue on the heads? Also I have never changed the spark plug tubes either.
 
The bolts do not have blue on the heads.
Also, can the cover come off without removing the tubes. Can they not just remain in the valve cover?
 
All came apart fairly easily. But BMW gave me the wrong gasket. Seems like my car was built in 2007 but fitted with a slightly earlier engine. This seems to be identifiable because the valve cover has aluminium screws. Have to say tho that the dealer has been very helpful.
So everything delayed for a few days. New correct gasket comes with new aluminium screws. but a question
The centre 10mm non captive bolt directly under the valvetronic motor. The cavity for this was full of oil. Could be due to taking the motor out. Doesn't seem to be any oil dribbling past the motor gasket.
What do you think. Worth changing the motor gasket?

Regards
Tomsdad.
 
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