Valve Cover Gasket Leak?

lwgrenier · 01-18-2018, 03:00 PM

I have a buildup of oil gunk at the front of my engine (circled in red). I'm wondering if this is a sign of a valve cover gasket leak. Also every time I drive I can smell burning oil. Could this also be from the gasket leaking on my exhaust (circled in blue)? My car has about 60k miles on it.

weehe126 · 01-18-2018, 04:09 PM

Yes

lwgrenier · 01-18-2018, 05:10 PM

I've seen a few DIYs on replacing it... Haven't done much work on my car other than replacing struts and serpentine belt/tensioner. Given my little experience do you think this job would be over my head?

weehe126 · 01-18-2018, 05:36 PM

Nope, probably a 4-5 hour job your first time. Bolts are 8.5NM to torque.

RoarinForeign · 01-18-2018, 06:15 PM

I had the same problem (70k miles) and I did my valve cover gasket, plugs and coils last weekend. I used a little jb weld to keep the gasket in the cover when I was putting it back on. Just take your time and don't lose the nut for the wiper. I've been rocking one wiper waiting on the replacement nut to arrive

Eric_M328i · 01-18-2018, 07:59 PM

Its probably a valve cover gasket but you should double check to see if its a cracked valve cover when u work on it. Thats what happened with mine

juld0zer · 01-19-2018, 04:57 AM

Also check the oil filter housing and VANOS solenoids for the leak at the front of the engine.

lwgrenier · 01-26-2018, 12:05 PM

Would you guys recommend going with an OEM gasket or is an aftermarket fine? Also if I want to change plugs and coils how much time do you think that would add?

dleccord · 01-26-2018, 05:04 PM

If you have everything apart, could and plugs maybe another 15 mins tops. Gasket, OEM always.

lwgrenier · 02-14-2018, 03:46 PM

Was planning on doing the VC gasket soon but just noticed a lot of these cars have been recalled for the VANOS bolts and have had the VC gasket replaced at the same time. I have an '11 335xi... would this be worth calling bmw about? Or does my car need to have a VANOS related issue in order for them to fix everything?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 02-15-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Also check the oil filter housing and VANOS solenoids for the leak at the front of the engine.

+1

Those are also pretty common leaks

Mike

lwgrenier · 03-13-2018, 09:36 AM

Just wanted to double check--does anyone know if the p/n is 11-12-7-587-804 for the valve cover gasket? Two different items come up when I search for the part.

AJL · 03-14-2018, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

Just wanted to double check--does anyone know if the p/n is 11-12-7-587-804 for the valve cover gasket? Two different items come up when I search for the part.

Yes, 11127587804 is correct.

Zebaztian7 · 03-14-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

Just wanted to double check--does anyone know if the p/n is 11-12-7-587-804 for the valve cover gasket? Two different items come up when I search for the part.

That is the exact p/n on FCP Euro for the OEM valve cover gasket.

xRangR · 03-14-2018, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Also check the oil filter housing and VANOS solenoids for the leak at the front of the engine.

+2

lwgrenier · 03-15-2018, 10:38 AM

With respect to the VANOS solenoids leaking.... where would that be coming from? My car idles and runs fine so I didn't think about that too much. But I don't want to replace the VC gasket and still have a burning oil smell and oil grime at front left of engine.

01-18-2018, 03:00 PM	#1
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Valve Cover Gasket Leak? I have a buildup of oil gunk at the front of my engine (circled in red). I'm wondering if this is a sign of a valve cover gasket leak. Also every time I drive I can smell burning oil. Could this also be from the gasket leaking on my exhaust (circled in blue)? My car has about 60k miles on it. Attached Images
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01-18-2018, 04:09 PM	#2
weehe126 Brigadier General 1189 Rep 3,228 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Yes
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01-18-2018, 05:10 PM	#3
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I've seen a few DIYs on replacing it... Haven't done much work on my car other than replacing struts and serpentine belt/tensioner. Given my little experience do you think this job would be over my head?
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01-18-2018, 05:36 PM	#4
weehe126 Brigadier General 1189 Rep 3,228 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Nope, probably a 4-5 hour job your first time. Bolts are 8.5NM to torque.
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01-18-2018, 06:15 PM	#5
RoarinForeign Private First Class 40 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Western MA iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem (70k miles) and I did my valve cover gasket, plugs and coils last weekend. I used a little jb weld to keep the gasket in the cover when I was putting it back on. Just take your time and don't lose the nut for the wiper. I've been rocking one wiper waiting on the replacement nut to arrive
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01-18-2018, 07:59 PM	#6
Eric_M328i Second Lieutenant 161 Rep 260 Posts Drives: 2023 M340i (Build) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M340i [9.27]	Its probably a valve cover gasket but you should double check to see if its a cracked valve cover when u work on it. Thats what happened with mine
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01-19-2018, 04:57 AM	#7
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Also check the oil filter housing and VANOS solenoids for the leak at the front of the engine.
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01-26-2018, 12:05 PM	#8
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Would you guys recommend going with an OEM gasket or is an aftermarket fine? Also if I want to change plugs and coils how much time do you think that would add?
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01-26-2018, 05:04 PM	#9
dleccord Captain 104 Rep 841 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i E90 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nelson, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	If you have everything apart, could and plugs maybe another 15 mins tops. Gasket, OEM always.
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02-14-2018, 03:46 PM	#10
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Was planning on doing the VC gasket soon but just noticed a lot of these cars have been recalled for the VANOS bolts and have had the VC gasket replaced at the same time. I have an '11 335xi... would this be worth calling bmw about? Or does my car need to have a VANOS related issue in order for them to fix everything?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-13-2018, 09:36 AM	#12
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Just wanted to double check--does anyone know if the p/n is 11-12-7-587-804 for the valve cover gasket? Two different items come up when I search for the part.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2018, 10:38 AM	#16
lwgrenier First Lieutenant 121 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i XDrive Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	With respect to the VANOS solenoids leaking.... where would that be coming from? My car idles and runs fine so I didn't think about that too much. But I don't want to replace the VC gasket and still have a burning oil smell and oil grime at front left of engine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote