Can this be repaired or does it need to be replaced

DrewWphoto · 02-06-2016, 03:24 PM

Hey all,

So after 9 years my valve cover gasket is leaking and causing a bit of a problem with the spark plugs when they get oil on and around them.

Anyway so I took my car in to have the valve cover gaskets replaced and found out that the vacuum hose fitting on the back on the valve cover is broken off where the hose connects.

1st question is what does this hose do? And 2nd is there a way to fix this without having to spend $500 for a new valve cover?

Let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

Here are some pictures of what I'm talking about:

seccsc · 02-06-2016, 08:58 PM

In my opinion replace it. The cover is degrading and will probably get worse.

DrewWphoto · 02-07-2016, 10:02 AM

So the valve cover isn't supposed to last the life of the car?

PichaDis11 · 02-07-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewWphoto

So the valve cover isn't supposed to last the life of the car?

Lol that depends on what life is; in BMW speak that is.

DrewWphoto · 02-07-2016, 12:14 PM

Haha, oh god I hope it has a while to go since it only has 62k miles on it.

PichaDis11 · 02-07-2016, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewWphoto

Haha, oh god I hope it has a while to go since it only has 62k miles on it.

If it's just that nipple, then it should be fine. That seems to only draw little amounts of air from the outside. I don't remember seeing a hose connected on my car.

It may be due for replacement so def keep it in mind.

DrewWphoto · 02-07-2016, 01:04 PM

Right I was planning on doing the valve cover gasket but are the valve covers themselves generally replaced too?

seccsc · 02-07-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewWphoto

Right I was planning on doing the valve cover gasket but are the valve covers themselves generally replaced too?

If you buy a new valve cover, the part comes with a new gasket, new fasteners, and the PCV. My thought is when I replace the valve cover I'm not going in there for another 100k. That's just my opinion.

There have been few posts on here detailing issues with the plastic valve cover leaking after replacing the gasket.

DrewWphoto · 02-07-2016, 03:21 PM

Yea is like to think I don't need to go back in there for another 100k but this one hardly made it to 60k hahaha

seccsc · 02-07-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewWphoto

Yea is like to think I don't need to go back in there for another 100k but this one hardly made it to 60k hahaha

Agree. I'm at 102k and I haven't touched mine. I'm sure as soon as I post this, I will have a problem. Cheers!

David0ff · 02-11-2016, 01:14 PM

JB Weld is your friend

DrewWphoto · 02-11-2016, 02:03 PM

I thought about that too but I don't know what to weld in there. I could find a metal fitting to weld in there

Meeni · 02-14-2016, 11:16 PM

The plastic cover degrades and needs to be replaced periodically.

You may be able to claim SULEV warranty if your car is eligible.

Abax335 · 02-14-2016, 11:20 PM

No it can't be repaired, yes it needs to be replaced

If there is no vacuum line you don't have an n51 and can't claim sulev, being 9 years old you are outside sulev anyway.

DrewWphoto · 02-15-2016, 01:12 AM

Sulev is 150k and 15 years so I think I still qualify. And there is a vacuum line there that connects to the valve cover so I guess I'll hit up the dealership

DrewWphoto · 02-15-2016, 09:02 AM

Just looked up my vin the car is a SULEV and was originally purchased in NY so I'm covered under that warranty

DJtoad · 02-15-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewWphoto

Sulev is 150k and 15 years so I think I still qualify. And there is a vacuum line there that connects to the valve cover so I guess I'll hit up the dealership

Why do you think you have an N51 / SULEV engine? Valve covers are the same. Unless you bought your car in CA or one of the few other states that follow CARB, chances are you just have the standard N52 engine. Look under the hood towards the front for the emissions label. If it says "California: LEV" you have a standard ULEV vehicle. If it says "California: SULEV" you obviously have an SULEV vehicle.

DrewWphoto · 02-15-2016, 09:11 AM

Like I just posted I looked up the VIN and it clearly says SULEV

DrewWphoto · 02-15-2016, 09:51 AM

Just set up an appointment with the dealership. The guy was totally aware of the SULEV warranty and looked up my vin to be sure and confirmed it was the N51 motor.

He has to verify the repair when the car is there but fingers crossed we don't have any issues.

Cory S · 02-16-2016, 05:32 AM

If that nipple was broke, someone before you was in there and snapped it off.....

DrewWphoto · 02-16-2016, 07:48 AM

Or the plastic was weak when someone was installing/ uninstalling the hose?

DrewWphoto · 02-16-2016, 07:49 AM

Either way. The gasket is still leaking if I have to pay for just the valve cover that's fine.

02-06-2016, 03:24 PM	#1
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Can this be repaired or does it need to be replaced Hey all, So after 9 years my valve cover gasket is leaking and causing a bit of a problem with the spark plugs when they get oil on and around them. Anyway so I took my car in to have the valve cover gaskets replaced and found out that the vacuum hose fitting on the back on the valve cover is broken off where the hose connects. 1st question is what does this hose do? And 2nd is there a way to fix this without having to spend $500 for a new valve cover? Let me know your thoughts. Thank you. Here are some pictures of what I'm talking about:
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02-06-2016, 08:58 PM	#2
seccsc Captain 248 Rep 722 Posts Drives: G20 M340xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	In my opinion replace it. The cover is degrading and will probably get worse. __________________
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02-07-2016, 10:02 AM	#3
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	So the valve cover isn't supposed to last the life of the car?
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02-07-2016, 12:14 PM	#5
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Haha, oh god I hope it has a while to go since it only has 62k miles on it.
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02-07-2016, 01:04 PM	#7
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Right I was planning on doing the valve cover gasket but are the valve covers themselves generally replaced too?
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02-07-2016, 03:21 PM	#9
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Yea is like to think I don't need to go back in there for another 100k but this one hardly made it to 60k hahaha
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02-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#11
David0ff Combined Applications Group 1054 Rep 654 Posts Drives: Lada Scrapus Trofeo R Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Classified iTrader: (1)	JB Weld is your friend
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02-11-2016, 02:03 PM	#12
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	I thought about that too but I don't know what to weld in there. I could find a metal fitting to weld in there
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02-14-2016, 11:16 PM	#13
Meeni Gateropode 333 Rep 2,842 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	The plastic cover degrades and needs to be replaced periodically. You may be able to claim SULEV warranty if your car is eligible.
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02-14-2016, 11:20 PM	#14
Abax335 Lieutenant 81 Rep 540 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi 6spd Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Orange/Rockland iTrader: (1)	No it can't be repaired, yes it needs to be replaced If there is no vacuum line you don't have an n51 and can't claim sulev, being 9 years old you are outside sulev anyway.
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02-15-2016, 01:12 AM	#15
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Sulev is 150k and 15 years so I think I still qualify. And there is a vacuum line there that connects to the valve cover so I guess I'll hit up the dealership
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02-15-2016, 09:02 AM	#16
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Just looked up my vin the car is a SULEV and was originally purchased in NY so I'm covered under that warranty
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02-15-2016, 09:11 AM	#18
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Like I just posted I looked up the VIN and it clearly says SULEV
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02-15-2016, 09:51 AM	#19
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Just set up an appointment with the dealership. The guy was totally aware of the SULEV warranty and looked up my vin to be sure and confirmed it was the N51 motor. He has to verify the repair when the car is there but fingers crossed we don't have any issues.
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02-16-2016, 05:32 AM	#20
Cory S Major 308 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	If that nipple was broke, someone before you was in there and snapped it off.....
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02-16-2016, 07:48 AM	#21
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Or the plastic was weak when someone was installing/ uninstalling the hose?
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02-16-2016, 07:49 AM	#22
DrewWphoto Private First Class 29 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2017 WRX Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Either way. The gasket is still leaking if I have to pay for just the valve cover that's fine.
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