[greenberet123]

Did my VCG 6 months ago. I reused the Valve cover but used a new ESS and new Valvetronic gasket and everything was working great.

Until 2 months ago, when the oil burning smell resurfaced. I popped open the vanity cover and there is a large pool of oil under the Valvetronic (see pics).

View post on imgur.com

I didn't notice any cracks there when I inspected the Valve cover. Also, there is no oil on the Valvetronic gasket (at least on the visible part). Any ideas as to where the oil is leaking from?

Thanks!

[fleet]

If your VC is not cracked, either VCG, or valvetronic gasket I'd wager

[nsjames]

can't see much, but if it's not in the spark plug wells and is in the cavities in between, valvetronic motor gasket would be my #1 suspect.

there have been reports of aftermarket gaskets not fitting properly, holes in the wrong spot and the like.

was the gasket OE or aftermarket? Torqued it to the 8(?) NM?

[greenberet123]

It was a brand called Genuine BMW from pelicanparts.com. Its not in the spark plug wells, just in the cavities. Yes, torqued it to 8Nm. Maybe I should just remove it and see what's under.

Originally Posted by nsjames

can't see much, but if it's not in the spark plug wells and is in the cavities in between, valvetronic motor gasket would be my #1 suspect.

there have been reports of aftermarket gaskets not fitting properly, holes in the wrong spot and the like.

was the gasket OE or aftermarket? Torqued it to the 8(?) NM?

[gbalthrop]

Leaking Oil Filler Cap or sloppy pour W/O funnel?

George

[greenberet123]

Not sloppy pour. I changed my oil way before I did my VCG replacement.

Originally Posted by gbalthrop

Leaking Oil Filler Cap or sloppy pour W/O funnel?

George

[greenberet123]

Hi everyone, I pulled off the VVT motor and gasket. Pool of oil just under it and in the small compartments to the left and right of it.


Pics are here:

View post on imgur.com

What do you think? Gasket leak?

The gasket was a new Genuine BMW gasket from pelicanparts.com. Should I order a new one, if yes, which one? Or can I reuse this one?

Thanks!

[TGTIW]

Get a new gasket! Obviously, that one leaks and you shouldn't re-use it.

[greenberet123]

Which one should I get? I heard there are some japanese gaskets which are good? Which company makes them? Thanks!

[greenberet123]

bump .. TGTIW nsjames

[greenberet123]

According to https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...etronic+gasket

I should use the same gasket with RTV sealant.

[TGTIW]

I would stick with a BMW gasket, ECS tuning has them on sale right now for $23.

[lowrydr310]

I have that gasket if you need it.

When I did my VCG replacement I didn't realize there was a difference between the valvetronic motor gasket for the magnesium valve cover and the plastic valve cover, and I ordered what Rock Auto told me fit, which was the wrong one. It wasn't worth returning so I still have it. If you're interested I can check my garage tonight and try to find it. Free, no charge.

And now that you mention this, you reminded my why I might still be smelling a little bit of burning oil. I haven't had my decorative cover off in a while, but I do rember that when I installed the valvetronic motor gasket during the VCG replacement, it didn't look like a very good seal. On the magnesium valve cover models like mine, the gasket is thin and only rests against the inner edge of the large oval opening in the cover, not looking like a good seal. I noticed on the other style for the plastic cover it's much thicker.

[litxus]

I'm not sure if you have N54 or something else, check valve cover, as I had a hairline crack around oil fill hole.

[nsjames]

I used the one that came with my new uro valve cover.

if I were buying just the gasket, I'd probably pick the cheapest one that was made in the OEM country, because it's probably the OE gasket.
when in doubt, just click the OE Equivalent on FCP.

[mainbearing]

I think the oil leaked from between the valvetronic motor gasket and the valve cover, and maybe between some ultrasonically welded seams that came loose.

It would be easy to try RTV first, it is a lot less involved than removing the valve cover. And with the valvetronic motor removed, you can soak up the oil in the two wells under the motor. I also spray cleaned the area with electronic parts cleaner (on a cold engine).

I first tried using the RTV to reseal the valvetronic motor gasket. I also clean up the oil leak down the passenger side the best I could. It cut down the leak significantly but the burning oil smell continued and the oil leak came back down the passenger side onto the exhaust. There were no visible cracks that I could see, but I did not want to play cat and mouse any more with it.

Therefore I sprang for a new valve cover gasket made by Uro. Also RTV'ing the new valvetronic motor gasket that came with it (stamped "Mahle" on the metal plate). Took a few days to burn off the spilled oil removing the valve cover, and problem solved.

The valve cover/gasket design by BMW really sucked.

Using Permatex Ultra Black, between the valvetronic motor gasket and the valve cover, as well as between the motor and the gasket. Allow to fully cure:


The Uro cover is a softer plastic, but it worked. The cover flexed a little when I pressed down on it, where as the OEM one did not. Maybe that was the problem with the OEM one, I do not know. I replaced the valve cover gasket once already, I thought might as well try a new aftermarket valve cover. BMW is synonymous with leaks to me.

Originally Posted by greenberet123

Did my VCG 6 months ago. I reused the Valve cover but used a new ESS and new Valvetronic gasket and everything was working great.

Until 2 months ago, when the oil burning smell resurfaced. I popped open the vanity cover and there is a large pool of oil under the Valvetronic (see pics).

View post on imgur.com

I didn't notice any cracks there when I inspected the Valve cover. Also, there is no oil on the Valvetronic gasket (at least on the visible part). Any ideas as to where the oil is leaking from?

Thanks!

[nsjames]

my uro valve cover has been fine for about 5K miles now.

I can't say I noticed that it flexed any more than the factory one. The first one I received was cracked, but I blame it on poor packaging during shipment. Rockauto did not put it in an outer box. The second once came in an outer box and was fine.
They looked identical anyhow

I think replacement valve covers are the way to go.
I think many people have leaks they can't get to stop, even with new gaskets, because the PCV system is gacked.

[mainbearing]

Here is a picture of the installed Uro valve cover. The appearance cover screw retainers near the radiator are one silver and one black. They were both silver on the BMW cover.

I was wondering back then if the more rigid BMW cover warped and was the reason for the leaks, but leaks after RTV'ing the valvetronic gasket persisted and looked like was from higher up the valve cover than the base looking at traces of oil. The two wells below the motor were still dry.

As far as the soft shell crab -- I pushed down on the front cam gear area, and it was softer there. Tapping the covers also sounded different, but so far so good.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by nsjames

my uro valve cover has been fine for about 5K miles now.

I can't say I noticed that it flexed any more than the factory one. The first one I received was cracked, but I blame it on poor packaging during shipment. Rockauto did not put it in an outer box. The second once came in an outer box and was fine.
They looked identical anyhow

I think replacement valve covers are the way to go.
I think many people have leaks they can't get to stop, even with new gaskets, because the PCV system is gacked.

Getting ready to tackle this, as well. Your comment about the PCV makes a ton of sense. Was going to just do the gaskets, but now I’ll def pressure test the PCV system before re-installing. We don’t need the car 100% of the time, so can hopefully get away without a cover.

We’ll see...

[nsjames]

the cover was like $200 at rock auto.

how much is your time worth?
Mine is worth more than that.

over a year now on my uro cover, probably 15K miles. No leaks, no errors.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by nsjames

the cover was like $200 at rock auto.

how much is your time worth?
Mine is worth more than that.

over a year now on my uro cover, probably 15K miles. No leaks, no errors.

Well, this is sacrificing time spent in front of the TV or milling about the house doing almost similar tasks as the car repair, not time spent with my son or time getting paid so, no biggie.

But yeah, if I have to re-do it I may feel differently. :-/