[ccyccm]

On a 2011 328 N52, can I remove the valve cover and replace the eccentric shaft sensor without replacing the valve cover gasket?

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by ccyccm

On a 2011 328 N52, can I remove the valve cover and replace the eccentric shaft sensor without replacing the valve cover gasket?

Yes you can, but since it and the other gaskets are relatively inexpensive, you might as well. Getting the valve cover off is not something you want to do often and you'll end up doing it later anyway. When I replaced my ESS at 60k, the VCG was hard as a rock.

Side note, it would have been way easier to get the valve cover on/off had I removed the wipers and the shroud beneath them. Most DIY guides don't do this and it is extremely tight maneuvering the valve cover by the firewall.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by e91Owner

Yes you can, but since it and the other gaskets are relatively inexpensive, you might as well. Getting the valve cover off is not something you want to do often and you'll end up doing it later anyway. When I replaced my ESS at 60k, the VCG was hard as a rock.

Side note, it would have been way easier to get the valve cover on/off had I removed the wipers and the shroud beneath them. Most DIY guides don't do this and it is extremely tight maneuvering the valve cover by the firewall.

Absolutely agree; while it's possible to replace the ESS without the valve cover gasket, for the $35 it costs for the valve cover gasket and eccentric shaft sensor gasket it's definitely worth replacing. There's also some risk of damaging the old gasket when removing the valve cover.

When I replaced mine recently, I applied an *extremely* thin coat of permatex ultra black sealant to the gasket on both sides, though I have a magnesium valve cover with a flat gasket and not the profile gasket that the plastic valve cover that the 07+ models have. While the Bentley manual makes no mention of this, several users on this forum have done so with great success. I've done plenty of Japanese valve cover gasket replacements on cars and motorcycles and they all call for some sort of sealant.

I also considered removing the wipers and shroud for extra clearance and I agree that it would make it much easier, however there is a trick to rotate the front of the valve cover to the right as you lift the whole cover off the head and it slides out in the given space without interference. I've done two VCG replacements on the N52 and the second time was much faster because of the tricks learned.

[ccyccm]

Hey y'all,

Thanks for providing exactly the kind of information I was looking for. The dealer recently replaced my VCG, ESS gasket, and Valvetronic gasket under warranty. When I need to do my ESS, I'll be heeding your advice and at the very least have the gaskets on hand.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by ccyccm

Hey y'all,

Thanks for providing exactly the kind of information I was looking for. The dealer recently replaced my VCG, ESS gasket, and Valvetronic gasket under warranty. When I need to do my ESS, I'll be heeding your advice and at the very least have the gaskets on hand.

Damn shame, I would have paid them the extra $150 to replace the ESS while they were in there...

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Damn shame, I would have paid them the extra $150 to replace the ESS while they were in there...

I just went through this. Bought a used 330i that had the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket replaced about six months ago. NO leaks! Then the ESS failed and I had to replace it, and re-do the valve cover gasket.