n52 oil cover gasket

Zorac · 09-20-2017, 10:56 PM

i realize this is a well discussed topic, but I would appreciate some thoughts on my specific challenge. the car is a 2010 328i with xdrive with about 106000km on it.

last January i had a leaky valve cover gasket, so i ordered up parts, googled the procedure to death and did the work. Everything went pretty smooth (except that hose at the very back of the engine, what a pain!!). A month ago I was changing my cabin filter and though I would check the gasket again to make sure was all was good, so i pulled off the cover and it looked good. Now just this week I start smelling burnt oil again, so i pull off the engine cover again and low and behold, i have oil seeping onto the header again. The oil question pools on top of the valve cover (see picture, pooling area circled in red) then leaks onto the header. So I have ordered a new gasket set (cover, valvetronic, and the position sensor gaskets) and am getting ready to tackle the job again. I can't see any obvious source of leaks (im thinking either a crack or the very very bottom of the valvetronic seal where i can't get a light or finger) and followed the procedure with torque and pattern to the letter last time. Is only about 10,000km since i did it last.

At this point, I'm going to do it assuming a gasket and do all 3 gaskets again. When I have it off, check the cover thoroughly for cracks, not sure what else i can do, but I really don't want to do it a third time.

ive read a number of threads and cracks seem to be fairly obvious, but i did see mention of micro-cracks. Should i be terribly concerned about this or will it be obvious when I get the cover off again?

the fact it leaked in the same spot both times, should I be looking for something specific? or just bad luck?

Thanks!

juld0zer · 09-23-2017, 08:31 AM

Smoke test the crankcase after you've driven the car for 30-60mins so it's hot (heat will expand cracks)?

El Cheapo Loco · 09-28-2017, 01:22 PM

Why not just get a new valve cover? At this mileage it could have warped even if there's no crack. BTW, I believe there's oil inside the spark plug well and if so, it's leaked from the valve cover and not the valvetronic. It will cause misfires if not cleaned up.

09-20-2017, 10:56 PM	#1
Zorac New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2010 328i with X-Drive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	n52 oil cover gasket i realize this is a well discussed topic, but I would appreciate some thoughts on my specific challenge. the car is a 2010 328i with xdrive with about 106000km on it. last January i had a leaky valve cover gasket, so i ordered up parts, googled the procedure to death and did the work. Everything went pretty smooth (except that hose at the very back of the engine, what a pain!!). A month ago I was changing my cabin filter and though I would check the gasket again to make sure was all was good, so i pulled off the cover and it looked good. Now just this week I start smelling burnt oil again, so i pull off the engine cover again and low and behold, i have oil seeping onto the header again. The oil question pools on top of the valve cover (see picture, pooling area circled in red) then leaks onto the header. So I have ordered a new gasket set (cover, valvetronic, and the position sensor gaskets) and am getting ready to tackle the job again. I can't see any obvious source of leaks (im thinking either a crack or the very very bottom of the valvetronic seal where i can't get a light or finger) and followed the procedure with torque and pattern to the letter last time. Is only about 10,000km since i did it last. At this point, I'm going to do it assuming a gasket and do all 3 gaskets again. When I have it off, check the cover thoroughly for cracks, not sure what else i can do, but I really don't want to do it a third time. ive read a number of threads and cracks seem to be fairly obvious, but i did see mention of micro-cracks. Should i be terribly concerned about this or will it be obvious when I get the cover off again? the fact it leaked in the same spot both times, should I be looking for something specific? or just bad luck? Thanks! Attached Images
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09-23-2017, 08:31 AM	#2
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Smoke test the crankcase after you've driven the car for 30-60mins so it's hot (heat will expand cracks)?
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09-28-2017, 01:22 PM	#3
El Cheapo Loco douchebaggo 189 Rep 971 Posts Drives: stick Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Why not just get a new valve cover? At this mileage it could have warped even if there's no crack. BTW, I believe there's oil inside the spark plug well and if so, it's leaked from the valve cover and not the valvetronic. It will cause misfires if not cleaned up.
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