Valve Cover Gasket and Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaking :(

catcher22 · 02-21-2016, 10:28 AM

Guys, the OFHG and VCG are not easy DIY's. At most they are medium to hard DIY's. For a first timer it takes the right tools, a lot of time, patience, reading and learning, preparation, and is pretty laborious. Each DIY will take 4-5 hours minimum and you need to know how to properly get everything back up and running (properly do the coolant bleed procedure, resets, etc.). On a caked motor air tools are almost required, it's almost guaranteed to break one or more bolts (and some are difficult to reach).

You could probably consider DIY since you have a shop. I didn't want to minimize the effort involved in these DIY's though.

3.1L Z · 02-21-2016, 01:29 PM

You can get the tools at Sears, assuming it has a decent tool section. I don't think your motor has an oil cooler. If it does it marries up to the Oil filter housing and that has a gasket as well. Need to replace that to. Another 9 dollar gasket.

You don't HAVE TO HAVE the Torx wrench. You can get away with a regular wrench that fits the male Torx bolt on the filter housing. Don't remember size or if it's metric or std but it fits and will tighten it.

3.1L Z · 02-21-2016, 01:35 PM

Here's the valve cover gasket:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317

Efthreeoh · 02-21-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcher22

Guys, the OFHG and VCG are not easy DIY's. At most they are medium to hard DIY's. For a first timer it takes the right tools, a lot of time, patience, reading and learning, preparation, and is pretty laborious. Each DIY will take 4-5 hours minimum and you need to know how to properly get everything back up and running (properly do the coolant bleed procedure, resets, etc.). On a caked motor air tools are almost required, it's almost guaranteed to break one or more bolts (and some are difficult to reach).

You could probably consider DIY since you have a shop. I didn't want to minimize the effort involved in these DIY's though.

The valve cover DIY is difficult just because it has the Valvetronic motor to deal with.

RKP · 02-21-2016, 03:06 PM

Do guys know what bolts I would need for the valve gasket? Also any other parts need for the OFHG besides the gasket itself.

Vitalität · 02-21-2016, 03:47 PM

Not true and not true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The valve cover DIY is difficult just because it has the Valvetronic motor to deal with.

RKP · 02-21-2016, 06:36 PM

Alright so I got some picture and doesn't look good. Can anyone tell me is this a job I need to get asap? Car has just under 60K miles.

KNS · 02-21-2016, 06:56 PM

Clean and dry everything up nicely and then drive it around for a little bit. Check under the hood. Not too bad..? Drive some more. It doesn't look horrible at the moment (are the belts staying dry?) but it is something you'll want to take care of eventually.

Is any of that oil from the dealer being a little sloppy? That could have been accumulating for thousands of miles.

Dealers always make things seem worse then they really are.

RKP · 02-21-2016, 07:09 PM

I never even paid attention under the hood until they told me about the valve cover gasket and OFHG. Ever since, I been checking twice a day to see if it gets worse. I will clean everything up tomorrow using brake cleaner.

Efthreeoh · 02-21-2016, 08:22 PM

It's a mess OP. Need to get it done sometime.

ctuna · 02-21-2016, 09:04 PM

That oil filter housing looks like it leaking from top.
It looks more like somebody didn't put the gaskets
on the filter in right or spilled stuff all over it and didn't
clean it up. Could be there BSing you or have some green
Tech. I would clean it up and monitor it . The gasket itself
is at the bottom of the housing it shouldn't be leaking from
the top.

The first an second third picture look more serious which
would be the VCG.

I would take off the Engine Cover and see if there is more
spillage from the Fill hole area. Could be someone was just
sloppy.

See the Eric the car guys videos on ytube to get an idea of what you
have to do.

RKP · 02-21-2016, 09:16 PM

any special tools required to remove the engine cover?

ctuna · 02-21-2016, 10:30 PM

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...s_Removing.htm

T40 torx you have to remove the Cabin Filter housing I think

PhaseP · 02-21-2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

See the Eric the car guys videos on ytube to get an idea of what you
have to do.

I think you are mixing AskTheCarExperts youtube channel with Eric The car guy. Eric the Car Guy usually has videos on work on Honda/acura, haven't seen him any BMW videos.

On 328 you don't need the torx to remove the engine cover. They are allen as far as I can remember.

Bent_remy · 02-21-2016, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaseP

I think you are mixing AskTheCarExperts youtube channel with Eric The car guy. Eric the Car Guy usually has videos on work on Honda/acura, haven't seen him any BMW videos.

On 328 you don't need the torx to remove the engine cover. They are allen as far as I can remember.

That right, just a regular allen key to get the cover off. Pull out the coils and check the cylinders for oil.

gds52 · 02-22-2016, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKP

any special tools required to remove the engine cover?

Mt laurel NJ?
looks like u r around my area.
PM me and I can refer u best local shop
around with the best price.

ctuna · 02-22-2016, 02:15 AM

Teohenwhy · 02-22-2016, 06:08 AM

I just finished doing my valve cover gasket as well as my oil filter housing gasket yesterday. Not too bad. Unfortunately I found out I had oil in my Eccentric Shaft sensor so I had to get a new one ( $400 ) but at least I got to do it all at once. I also found one bolt was snapped in half and one was stripped so I had to re-thread the hole using a tap. Make sure you use a torque wrench and torque it down so you won't have it leak again due to not torquing it tight enough or snapping a bolt from being too tight. It took me about 4 hours for everything.

Teohenwhy · 02-22-2016, 06:09 AM

This video was helpful with the valve cover gasket.

Teohenwhy · 02-22-2016, 06:22 AM

Get yourself one of these . It will help with the rear valve cover gasket bolts and the oil filter housing gasket bolt that is behind the intake manifold.

vapore0n · 02-22-2016, 08:27 AM

The snapping of bolts is what scared me into paying for someone else to do it.
Ive done valve cover gaskets, but not on these aluminum blocks.
I payed $100 for oil filter gasket (extra while doing walnut blasting), and $600 for valve cover.
Anyway, both are leaking. Even if OFHG wasnt bad, it will be, so get them both done at the same time.

PhaseP · 02-22-2016, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

That is from AskTheCarExperts channel not Eric the Car Guy. Not that it matters

02-21-2016, 10:28 AM	#23
catcher22 Captain 294 Rep 922 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (2)	Guys, the OFHG and VCG are not easy DIY's. At most they are medium to hard DIY's. For a first timer it takes the right tools, a lot of time, patience, reading and learning, preparation, and is pretty laborious. Each DIY will take 4-5 hours minimum and you need to know how to properly get everything back up and running (properly do the coolant bleed procedure, resets, etc.). On a caked motor air tools are almost required, it's almost guaranteed to break one or more bolts (and some are difficult to reach). You could probably consider DIY since you have a shop. I didn't want to minimize the effort involved in these DIY's though.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

02-21-2016, 01:29 PM	#24
3.1L Z Private First Class 27 Rep 186 Posts Drives: '09 E92, Cobb AP Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (0)	You can get the tools at Sears, assuming it has a decent tool section. I don't think your motor has an oil cooler. If it does it marries up to the Oil filter housing and that has a gasket as well. Need to replace that to. Another 9 dollar gasket. You don't HAVE TO HAVE the Torx wrench. You can get away with a regular wrench that fits the male Torx bolt on the filter housing. Don't remember size or if it's metric or std but it fits and will tighten it. __________________ '11 E92, MSport 3 Pedal 3.1L Stroker Z Last edited by 3.1L Z; 02-21-2016 at 01:37 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 01:35 PM	#25
3.1L Z Private First Class 27 Rep 186 Posts Drives: '09 E92, Cobb AP Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (0)	Here's the valve cover gasket: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317 __________________ '11 E92, MSport 3 Pedal 3.1L Stroker Z
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 03:06 PM	#27
RKP Lieutenant 124 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 CS (F80) Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	Do guys know what bolts I would need for the valve gasket? Also any other parts need for the OFHG besides the gasket itself.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 06:36 PM	#29
RKP Lieutenant 124 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 CS (F80) Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	Alright so I got some picture and doesn't look good. Can anyone tell me is this a job I need to get asap? Car has just under 60K miles. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 06:56 PM	#30
KNS Lieutenant 139 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 128i and Porsche Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Clean and dry everything up nicely and then drive it around for a little bit. Check under the hood. Not too bad..? Drive some more. It doesn't look horrible at the moment (are the belts staying dry?) but it is something you'll want to take care of eventually. Is any of that oil from the dealer being a little sloppy? That could have been accumulating for thousands of miles. Dealers always make things seem worse then they really are.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 07:09 PM	#31
RKP Lieutenant 124 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 CS (F80) Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	I never even paid attention under the hood until they told me about the valve cover gasket and OFHG. Ever since, I been checking twice a day to see if it gets worse. I will clean everything up tomorrow using brake cleaner.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 08:22 PM	#32
Efthreeoh General 19050 Rep 19,656 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	It's a mess OP. Need to get it done sometime. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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02-21-2016, 09:04 PM	#33
ctuna Lieutenant General 2031 Rep 13,344 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	That oil filter housing looks like That oil filter housing looks like it leaking from top. It looks more like somebody didn't put the gaskets on the filter in right or spilled stuff all over it and didn't clean it up. Could be there BSing you or have some green Tech. I would clean it up and monitor it . The gasket itself is at the bottom of the housing it shouldn't be leaking from the top. The first an second third picture look more serious which would be the VCG. I would take off the Engine Cover and see if there is more spillage from the Fill hole area. Could be someone was just sloppy. See the Eric the car guys videos on ytube to get an idea of what you have to do. Last edited by ctuna; 02-21-2016 at 09:23 PM..
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02-21-2016, 09:16 PM	#34
RKP Lieutenant 124 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 CS (F80) Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	any special tools required to remove the engine cover?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2016, 10:30 PM	#35
ctuna Lieutenant General 2031 Rep 13,344 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	T40 torx you have to remove the Cabin Filter I think http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...s_Removing.htm T40 torx you have to remove the Cabin Filter housing I think
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02-22-2016, 02:15 AM	#39
ctuna Lieutenant General 2031 Rep 13,344 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	This was the ytube video I was thinking of
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02-22-2016, 06:08 AM	#40
Teohenwhy First Lieutenant 43 Rep 393 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (5)	I just finished doing my valve cover gasket as well as my oil filter housing gasket yesterday. Not too bad. Unfortunately I found out I had oil in my Eccentric Shaft sensor so I had to get a new one ( $400 ) but at least I got to do it all at once. I also found one bolt was snapped in half and one was stripped so I had to re-thread the hole using a tap. Make sure you use a torque wrench and torque it down so you won't have it leak again due to not torquing it tight enough or snapping a bolt from being too tight. It took me about 4 hours for everything. Attached Images __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2016, 06:09 AM	#41
Teohenwhy First Lieutenant 43 Rep 393 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (5)	This video was helpful with the valve cover gasket. __________________
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02-22-2016, 06:22 AM	#42
Teohenwhy First Lieutenant 43 Rep 393 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (5)	Get yourself one of these . It will help with the rear valve cover gasket bolts and the oil filter housing gasket bolt that is behind the intake manifold. Attached Images __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2016, 08:27 AM	#43
vapore0n Captain 40 Rep 669 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	The snapping of bolts is what scared me into paying for someone else to do it. Ive done valve cover gaskets, but not on these aluminum blocks. I payed $100 for oil filter gasket (extra while doing walnut blasting), and $600 for valve cover. Anyway, both are leaking. Even if OFHG wasnt bad, it will be, so get them both done at the same time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote