[TheMechanic]

Hi Guys,

I am at a loss with this car... I changed oil seal pan couple months back; which was the last (I thought) seal I have not touched on this car.
All good, but now both oil filter housing leaks (bad) and valve cover (medium).

THe thing is, I swapped out the valve cover with a new cover and seal about 4 years back.. Torqued to spec. OEM cover and new bolts.wtf.

Question is, should I be fine to just buy a new seal now, and re-use the valve cover, or is it a must to change the valve cover once it has been torqued down?

Might as well do both, as I have to open up and remove the intake...

thank you

[Wolf 335]

Did you verify torque on the valve cover bolts a few times?

Depending on how you torque them down, you may think its good but it's not.

Other thing could be you're over pressurizing inside the cover due to paulty pvc valve. Did you change the check valve?

[TheMechanic]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Did you verify torque on the valve cover bolts a few times?

Depending on how you torque them down, you may think its good but it's not.

Other thing could be you're over pressurizing inside the cover due to paulty pvc valve. Did you change the check valve?

Yes, brand new when I changed the valve cover 3 years back or so. I used the Rob Beck valve..

I guess I could undo the bolts and re-do them at 10Nm , the specified torque, see if that helps.

[konstat]

Originally Posted by TheMechanic

Yes, brand new when I changed the valve cover 3 years back or so. I used the Rob Beck valve..

I guess I could undo the bolts and re-do them at 10Nm , the specified torque, see if that helps.

I believe the bolt torque is 8.5 Nm but not sure it would make that big of a difference where it would cause a leak. I also wouldn’t undo all the bolts reuse the same gasket I think you’ll run into more leaks.

When you did the install did you lube the gasket with motor oil? This helps prevent the gasket from bunching up while it moves around on the head during install. Also what torquing pattern did you use?

[TheMechanic]

Originally Posted by konstat

I believe the bolt torque is 8.5 Nm but not sure it would make that big of a difference where it would cause a leak. I also wouldn’t undo all the bolts reuse the same gasket I think you’ll run into more leaks.

When you did the install did you lube the gasket with motor oil? This helps prevent the gasket from bunching up while it moves around on the head during install. Also what torquing pattern did you use?

I used the right torque pattern.... from inside going out (I am a Mechanic )

I did lube the gasket. But problem fixed itself meanwhile : I sold the car

[lookalikehuuh]

Originally Posted by TheMechanic

I did lube the gasket. But problem fixed itself meanwhile : I sold the car

haha that fixes all the problems then

FYI if you ever pick up another E90, or most BMWs for that matter. It seems like every 4-5 years the gaskets need to be replaced because they simply fail after that amount of time.

I can't tell you how many times I have done OFHGs, Valve cover gaskets, etc on my cars. Also one of the main reasons I just buy everything from FCP Euro since they will replace all those gaskets for your every time for free.

[TheMechanic]

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

haha that fixes all the problems then

FYI if you ever pick up another E90, or most BMWs for that matter. It seems like every 4-5 years the gaskets need to be replaced because they simply fail after that amount of time.

I can't tell you how many times I have done OFHGs, Valve cover gaskets, etc on my cars. Also one of the main reasons I just buy everything from FCP Euro since they will replace all those gaskets for your every time for free.

YES, you are right. I see my M3 valve covers are slowly misting oil now (2009 M3, 63000 miles) ; so I see a replacement in the spring . Or who knows, a new M3 instead

[lookalikehuuh]

Originally Posted by TheMechanic

YES, you are right. I see my M3 valve covers are slowly misting oil now (2009 M3, 63000 miles) ; so I see a replacement in the spring . Or who knows, a new M3 instead

Feel free to donate yoru current M3 to my cause, I promise to take real good care of it

[Podunk]

you did a job 4 YEARS ago and undisclosed mileage ago, and are complaining about it NOW? dude.. even LS VCs will leak within 4 years time.. and being a mechanic, you should know all you need is a new 20 dollar valve cover gasket, and not the whole 2-400 usd depending on brand make, etc plastic valve cover..

i mean i get you sold the car, but come on man..

[TheMechanic]

Originally Posted by Podunk

you did a job 4 YEARS ago and undisclosed mileage ago, and are complaining about it NOW? dude.. even LS VCs will leak within 4 years time.. and being a mechanic, you should know all you need is a new 20 dollar valve cover gasket, and not the whole 2-400 usd depending on brand make, etc plastic valve cover..

i mean i get you sold the car, but come on man..

Thanks for your advice!

[Podunk]

Originally Posted by TheMechanic

Thanks for your advice!

it wasn't advice, it was a statement.

Cheers