[Insane435]

Found out that my eccentric shaft sensor needs replacing due to the infamous oil leak around it. While I am in there, here is a list of items I am going to replace so this is a one time gig. Also, does it matter if I get OEM for any of these parts? Ill probably get OEM for the VCG but the eccentric shaft sensor is really expensive. Id rather VDO or a cheaper brand if its reliable. I plan on getting the ECS kit if it comes back in stock. I have also seen $80 Eccentric sensors from China on EBAY. Should I stay away from those?

Eccentric Shaft Sensor
Valve Cover Gasket
Eccentric Shaft Sensor Gasket
Aluminum Valve Cover Screws
Eccentric Shaft Actuator Gasket

The questions I have are: should I get an entire new valve cover? And are there any other misc parts I should replace such as the sleeves, etc?

[W37V]

I got this kit. It got everything you will need except for eccentric sensor.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-11127582245kt

Depending on the mileage you can swap out your plugs. When putting everything back on, make sure your coils are properly seated (wires seated inside socket).

[hassmaschine]

If you're going to the trouble of removing the valve cover - look into doing MILVS.

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

If you're going to the trouble of removing the valve cover - look into doing MILVS.

Not interested in spending another 300$ lol not sure what it really does either.

Any reason I can't buy this kit? Seems like they have sold alot with all positive reviews:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Valv...ZYgMwY&vxp=mtr

[W37V]

why would you spend money on new valve cover if your old one is not broken?

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by W37V

why would you spend money on new valve cover if your old one is not broken?

They are prone to hairline cracks and mine is covered in oil. If its not cracked, i guess it will stil work, but for an extra $100 or so it seems like a no brainer. I also just want to see if anyone has an objection to that kit? for $135 you get the Cover, the gasket, bolts and the eccentric gasket. So ill id have to buy would be the sensor its self. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Insane435

Not interested in spending another 300$ lol not sure what it really does either.

Any reason I can't buy this kit? Seems like they have sold alot with all positive reviews:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Valv...ZYgMwY&vxp=mtr

Interesting link. It sure is cheap - about 60% of the next cheapest one I've seen, but I wonder about the quality. Not exactly a job you want to do twice.

Made by JDMSPEED. I've not heard of them, but that prolly doesn't mean much as I don't keep track of these aftermarket companies. I'd dig into other reviews of their parts and see where that takes you.

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Interesting link. It sure is cheap - about 60% of the next cheapest one I've seen, but I wonder about the quality. Not exactly a job you want to do twice.

Made by JDMSPEED. I've not heard of them, but that prolly doesn't mean much as I don't keep track of these aftermarket companies. I'd dig into other reviews of their parts and see where that takes you.

I think I am going to buy it. It has a one year warranty. At the end of the day it seems they are all plastic, sure they may have different qualities, but from what ive read sounds like the engine cover fitment is the main item that varies.
To be safe, I think I am going to buy all OEM gaskets and small parts. Although you have to question whether OEM is any good considering they are all shit at 60K miles...

The last piece of the puzzle is figuring out which Eccentric sensor to buy. Again, there seems to be some at $90, some at $150-200$ and then OEM at $400. I think alot of people have used the VDO brand which is $195, however theyre out of stock...

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Insane435

I think I am going to buy it. It has a one year warranty. At the end of the day it seems they are all plastic, sure they may have different qualities, but from what ive read sounds like the engine cover fitment is the main item that varies.
To be safe, I think I am going to buy all OEM gaskets and small parts. Although you have to question whether OEM is any good considering they are all shit at 60K miles...

The last piece of the puzzle is figuring out which Eccentric sensor to buy. Again, there seems to be some at $90, some at $150-200$ and then OEM at $400. I think alot of people have used the VDO brand which is $195, however theyre out of stock...

If you get it give it a good comparison to your OE cover while you have it off. I wouldn't be surprised if it were made with the same mold as it's quite intricate. Look for brace webbing in the same locations, etc.

VDO is good stuff. Check any ebay vendors or the like?

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by Insane435

I think I am going to buy it. It has a one year warranty. At the end of the day it seems they are all plastic, sure they may have different qualities, but from what ive read sounds like the engine cover fitment is the main item that varies.
To be safe, I think I am going to buy all OEM gaskets and small parts. Although you have to question whether OEM is any good considering they are all shit at 60K miles...

The last piece of the puzzle is figuring out which Eccentric sensor to buy. Again, there seems to be some at $90, some at $150-200$ and then OEM at $400. I think alot of people have used the VDO brand which is $195, however theyre out of stock...

Did you buy that vlv cvr kit ? How did it turn out ?

What about gaskets, did you really get OEMs even though the kit had them ?

No q's about the ESS, VDO is no brainer

[hassmaschine]

IIRC it cracked after like 3 months.

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

IIRC it cracked after like 3 months.

Holy s*** !! Really ? wow... did he post that somewhere else ?

[hassmaschine]

yeah, it was in a thread titled something like 'ebay valve cover'.

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

yeah, it was in a thread titled something like 'ebay valve cover'.

crazy, that seller has 106 reviews for that exact item, 105 are positive...

...are you sure though ? I queried all of Insane435 's postings, none seem to match such a topic

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by DaanBMW

crazy, that seller has 106 reviews for that exact item, 105 are positive...

...are you sure though ? I queried all of Insane435 's postings, none seem to match such a topic

I never bought it so that was not me who posted it. I ended up just reusing mine as it seemed fine. I cleaned it up and installed a new gasket and eccentric shaft sensor.

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by Insane435

I never bought it so that was not me who posted it. I ended up just reusing mine as it seemed fine. I cleaned it up and installed a new gasket and eccentric shaft sensor.

Thanks for the feedback. Interesting you re-used urs, what was the mileage on the car ? 60+k ?

I'm also growing leery about such posting, these all seem to be fast-shipping options from China posing as US-based sellers. fleabay's been inundated by them lately...

I'm leaning towards getting a new cover, from legit manufacturers if not OEM

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by DaanBMW

Thanks for the feedback. Interesting you re-used urs, what was the mileage on the car ? 60+k ?

I'm also growing leery about such posting, these all seem to be fast-shipping options from China posing as US-based sellers. fleabay's been inundated by them lately...

I'm leaning towards getting a new cover, from legit manufacturers if not OEM

To me, if you really can't see a leak, I'll say this: it depends who you are. If you're the kind of guy that's always tweaking the car, just do the gaskets. If you're a guy who can do basic mechanics but really don't have a lot of time, do the whole VC. Basically, whether you like the challenge or not, if you don't have a lot of time and you're not exactly tuning up for another 30-40+HP, then do the VC and anything else you could while you're in there (plugs/coils could be replaced later) so you don't have to go back in (ie. so you can 'forget it').

Valve cover kits come with everything you need brand new, so those won't be failure points either. It's also less of a hassle of "was this the right one, or was that, and where did that bolt run off to?."

Shame about that ebay kit, but yeah, that's why you buy OE/OEM. And for something that painful, it might be worth the extra $ for piece of mind.

But 60K...wow, awfully low for all that to need to be replaced.

[Hassan24]

Hey bro DaanBMW i read ur posts my 2011 bmw 328i has been doing the exact same thing Horus was and i did everything you did changed the valve cover, spark plugs, coils , vanos solenoid but my car still seems to shut off while driving for a bit 5 min in or so and they are pointing at the camshaft timing chain but i was curious to see what the problem on yours was and what helped the fix sorry the posts might been a while ago but i read yours and googled it and yours happen to be the exact same problem I’ve been going thru and anything helps man I’d really appreciate I’ve had my car sit for 2 months as well because i just didn’t know what was wrong and i fix one thing and another problem occurs and it just sucks! Please anything helps man

[DaanBMW]

Originally Posted by Hassan24

Hey bro DaanBMW i read ur posts my 2011 bmw 328i has been doing the exact same thing Horus was and i did everything you did changed the valve cover, spark plugs, coils , vanos solenoid but my car still seems to shut off while driving for a bit 5 min in or so and they are pointing at the camshaft timing chain but i was curious to see what the problem on yours was and what helped the fix sorry the posts might been a while ago but i read yours and googled it and yours happen to be the exact same problem I’ve been going thru and anything helps man I’d really appreciate I’ve had my car sit for 2 months as well because i just didn’t know what was wrong and i fix one thing and another problem occurs and it just sucks! Please anything helps man

Hey there Hassan24 - I'm not at all sure we have the same issues. I can drive the car ok. What symptoms are you referring to? The rpm drop when coasting and disengaging gear? Those are really infrequent, and the car works overall np.