[kaydillast]

Hey guys, looking for some advice and help, I have a 07 328i coupe. Couple of months ago my mechanic told me that my oil is leaking and I need a "valve cover gasket" replacement and asked $480, which I think is way too much.

About an hour ago I started smelling something from the engine so I popped open the hood and saw smoke coming from underneath the engine which makes think that what if it catches on fire (knock on wood!). Should I not drive till its fixed?

I saw DIY for E46 on ebay and looks pretty easy, if I am new to this should I shop around or do it myself?

Here are the part #'s I found on the OEM WEBSITE:

[No Subject]
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FROM:

Keerthi Bala

TO:

keerthi008@yahoo.com

Message flagged
Sunday, November 6, 2011 11:25 PM

1.)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...37&hg=11&fg=15

#2 PROFILE-GASKET PART# 11127582245

OR IS IT

2.)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...34&hg=11&fg=10

#4 PROFILE-GASKET PART# 11137548031

Any advice would be great, thanks!!

[Express]

11127581215 do it yourself its a piece of cake

[MilehighM3]

I hate to say it but 480 is a good price. They usually pay around 5 hours. Its time consuming, but not overly difficult. You have to take a lot off to get the valve cover up high enough for removal....

[kaydillast]

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

I hate to say it but 480 is a good price. They usually pay around 5 hours. Its time consuming, but not overly difficult. You have to take a lot off to get the valve cover up high enough for removal....

Thanks, do you think the smoke and smell i was getting is due to the the leak?

thanks.

[Express]

yes

[kaydillast]

Originally Posted by express705

yes

Have you ever done the replacement yourself? I cannot find a DIY, I can only see it for an E46 on youtube.

[e90pilot]

There's a DIY around here for it. It's not an official thread or anything but there are some basic instructions and torque specs.

BTW, what color was the smoke? If it was white and smelled sweetish, that's a head gasket and is ALL BAD. Check your coolant level (when it's cold). If its low you need this checked out immediately.

[kaydillast]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

There's a DIY around here for it. It's not an official thread or anything but there are some basic instructions and torque specs.

BTW, what color was the smoke? If it was white and smelled sweetish, that's a head gasket and is ALL BAD. Check your coolant level (when it's cold). If its low you need this checked out immediately.

Thanks, I saw the smoke at night with a flash light and looked white but it is definitely coming from under the engine. When you say it is "ALL BAD" what do you mean exactly, hope its not bad news. Also can I check the coolant level through the car computer?

[Express]

Originally Posted by kaydillast

Have you ever done the replacement yourself? I cannot find a DIY, I can only see it for an E46 on youtube.

not on an e90, but its really basic. dont be intimidated by the luxury tax on bmw's. they aren't that difficult to work on.

Originally Posted by kaydillast

Thanks, I saw the smoke at night with a flash light and looked white but it is definitely coming from under the engine. When you say it is "ALL BAD" what do you mean exactly, hope its not bad news. Also can I check the coolant level through the car computer?

i doubt you have a head gasket leak. does it smell like burnt oil or coolant? you should be able to tell the difference. burnt oil smells like shit, and burnt coolant smells kind of good

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by kaydillast

Thanks, do you think the smoke and smell i was getting is due to the the leak?

Yes. Do you have the magnesium or plastic valve cover?

The magnesium (the only metal one installed) has a tendency to have broken bolts along the lower front corner which is the the usual cause of leaks. The bolts may be in place but when you remove them, you'll see that the bolts are broken. The broken part is really simple to get out issuing a small pick tool or a left handed drill bit I you have them. There's no pressure on the bolt since the head is separate. Sometimes it even sticks up above the surface and you can remove them with your fingers.

The plastic ones usually only leak around the valvetronic motor near the top center of the valve cover. There's a separate gasket there than is the usual suspect and it leaks down the cover appearing to be the valve cover gasket. This gasket is also separate from the valve cover gasket and does not come with it. Take off the plastic engine cover and get a good look at your leak before digging in, in case it's not what you're expecting.