Valve cover gasket leak.. anyone else?

[nicknaz]

Valve cover gasket recently got replaced on my car (27 months in service, 20k miles on the car) because there was a small oil leak and apparently it is not an uncommon part to need replacement.

Just wanted to flag this as something to check on for other members who might be running out of warranty

[mbetoni]

VCG isn't an uncommon 'wear and tear' part to replace on many BMWs, doesn't surprise me it needed to be replaced. That said, the mileage is probably a little low vs some other models, so good to know...

[BMW665]

2011 28k right valve cover was cracked. dealer replaced it when I brought it in for an oil change

[Kessler35is]

Valve cover oil leak, replaced seal in June 2014. 2011 35is 28k miles.

I was "using" a little bit of oil and I was wondering why, this is why. When they did the yearly inspection they found the leak.

I never did smell oil burning or see it anywhere, if you are using a little bit of oil then I would have it checked.

[jrob8604]

Did a pre-purchase inspection in march before I bought a 2010 bmw z4 35i with about 21k miles and they also found that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. Luckily it was under warranty for a few more months and dealer took care of it. Seems to be more common with this model of Z4.

[flpnout]

Is this the same as the oil filter housing gasket leak? If so mine was replaced 2 weeks ago at 33,600 miles. The following parts were used:
11-42-7-537-293 - Gasket 118523
11-42-7-525-335 - Gasket 118523
11-61-7-547-242 - Set of Profile Gaskets 118513
11-42-7-566-133 - O-Ring 119500
83-19-2-180-806 - Brake Cleaner
Two of 17-22-2-245-358 - O-Ring 179500

[cuddapah]

Mine got replaced 2-3 times.

[tranquility]

Bumping this - I'm out of warranty and dealer discovered valve cover prb...need to replace/perform the following:
BM11-12-7-565-286 profile gasket
BM13-53-7-564-751 decoupling element
BM13-53-7-584-315 gasket ring
BM11-12-7-565-284 cylinder head cover

Total pre-tax cost is CAD1,812 or USD1,281. Ouch. What are my options and wwyd? TIA.

PS I'm at 147,000kms / 91,000miles.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Bumping this - I'm out of warranty and dealer discovered valve cover prb...need to replace/perform the following:
BM11-12-7-565-286 profile gasket
BM13-53-7-564-751 decoupling element
BM13-53-7-584-315 gasket ring
BM11-12-7-565-284 cylinder head cover

Total pre-tax cost is CAD1,812 or USD1,281. Ouch. What are my options and wwyd? TIA.

PS I'm at 147,000kms / 91,000miles.

I think you need to go to an indy shop for a second opinion. that price is way steep and not even sure why you need a cylinder head cover unless your is cracked or something? and the decoupling element is weird too. I might be wrong but they should be reusable!?

Originally Posted by mbetoni

VCG isn't an uncommon 'wear and tear' part ...

Forgive my analytical self. But valve cover gaskets don't wear. there is no friction on them at all. They might break down or become brittle due to moisture content though.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by rking117

I think you need to go to an indy shop for a second opinion. that price is way steep and not even sure why you need a cylinder head cover unless your is cracked or something? and the decoupling element is weird too. I might be wrong but they should be reusable!?

Tx. How much cheaper do you think the indy would be? The cover supposedly has a crack and that's why some oil is dripping down.

[Lurcher]

There is another recent thread about this - please search...

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Lurcher

There is another recent thread about this - please search...

I tried searching b4 posting this...any help?

[rking117]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Tx. How much cheaper do you think the indy would be? The cover supposedly has a crack and that's why some oil is dripping down.

I had assumed that the issue for your vehicle was a valve cover gasket rather than an actual valve cover being cracked. Valve cover gaskets are prone to fail (there are many posts about this) but valve cover cracks are a lot less common. Usually though an Indy shop is cheaper in labor than BMW dealerships. 10 to 20% cheaper. But even more than that i have see indy shops that were actually better quality wise than the dealerships themselves. of course this is subjective to area dealership etc. some indy shops will allow you to even price around for parts and bring them to them to install after they diagnose the issue. so that you don't have a premium added on top of parts. I recently had the front end of the motor on a Mercedes replaced at an indy. they kept sending me a parts list and i sourced the parts and delivered them. my cost was just under 1000.00 for things like fan, fan clutch, belts, hoses, pulleys, cam shaft sensors, thermostat, water pump and many many more parts that i know i have forgotten. there were three huge boxes that i delivered. my cost in labor? 300 $ that was it. that included breakdown, diagnosis, and re-installation. cant beat that with a stick.

[Lurcher]

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173408

You can also get on n54tech and get a wealth of info on this issue

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Lurcher

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173408

You can also get on n54tech and get a wealth of info on this issue

I posted on that thread also. I'll check out that other forum also. Tx.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Bumping this - I'm out of warranty and dealer discovered valve cover prb...need to replace/perform the following:
BM11-12-7-565-286 profile gasket
BM13-53-7-564-751 decoupling element
BM13-53-7-584-315 gasket ring
BM11-12-7-565-284 cylinder head cover

Total pre-tax cost is CAD1,812 or USD1,281. Ouch. What are my options and wwyd? TIA.

PS I'm at 147,000kms / 91,000miles.

I'm trying to figure out what is the worst-case scenario if I don't do this right away?

[Lambobimmer]

I would help you out if you lived near me. I can do this job in about an hour. $1,300 is ridiculous.

Why the decoupling element. The injectors don't need to be removed.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

I would help you out if you lived near me. I can do this job in about an hour. $1,300 is ridiculous.

Why the decoupling element. The injectors don't need to be removed.

Exactly my question from above.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by rking117

I had assumed that the issue for your vehicle was a valve cover gasket rather than an actual valve cover being cracked. ...

I stand corrected. the valve cover does in most situations get replaced due to some unserviceable parts. Uggg. figures right? maybe it is time to get some chrome covers and washer nozzles. haha

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

I would help you out if you lived near me. I can do this job in about an hour. $1,300 is ridiculous.

Why the decoupling element. The injectors don't need to be removed.

Tx. It sucks not being mech-inclined. I have little idea what's going on and those prices are crazy.

[Wondermutt]

Do yourself a favor, and go on youtube and look up vids on replacing the gasket, it really is a straightforward job. Working on the top end of these cars is suprisingly simple, we even have less to do than the 3 series guys because our motors aren't under the cowl.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Wondermutt

Do yourself a favor, and go on youtube and look up vids on replacing the gasket, it really is a straightforward job. Working on the top end of these cars is suprisingly simple, we even have less to do than the 3 series guys because our motors aren't under the cowl.

I wish I could. I know my limitations...not very confident messing around w/ the engine and potentially having a costlier mistake.