Oil Housing Gasket and Valve Header gasket Repair

videopho · 10-04-2023, 05:14 AM

It must be a common issue for these types of cars.
I brought mine in for the PCV Valve Heater Recall and the car was given a free multi-point inspection with pretty much everything green with the exception of those two issues: leak from those two areas of the engine.
I was quoted over $1k for the OHG and around $800 for the Valve header gasket.
Are these $$$ estimates reasonable considered it's from a pretty big BMW dealership where I live?

Tangent · 10-09-2023, 02:37 PM

Yes, those issues are relatively common unfortunately. They are also critical to get fixed ASAP. Oil leaking from the OFHG will get on the accessory belt and it'll slip off the crank pulley. Because of the design of the pulley it'll slip off to the back, get crammed between the pulley and engine block, and pretty quickly shreds of belt will get stuffed through the front main seal. That debris is now in the oil pan where it'll get sucked up and clog the oil pickup and starve the engine of oil.

As far as the price I really don't know if those are normal dealership prices since I DIY but I do know that you're much better off going to a well-reviewed independent BMW or at least euro specialist shop instead. Dealerships are for when you still have a warranty, otherwise they charge way too much. Neither of these jobs is very difficult and they don't require any specialist tools even.

I highly recommend replacing the accessory belt and tensioner while you/the mechanic is in there and also upgrading the "mickey mouse flange" (about 21:16 in the first video below) with a metal one. I've upgraded that on 3 BMWs so far and every last one of the stock plastic ones was already deteriorating with 2 of them breaking apart on removal.

DIY for OFHG (different model; same engine so any differences will be4 super minor):

DIY for belt and tensioner:

videopho · 10-11-2023, 12:18 PM

Does anyone recommend the part number for the valve cover header gasket and the oil filter hosing gasket?

B21 · 10-11-2023, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videopho

Does anyone recommend the part number for the valve cover header gasket and the oil filter hosing gasket?

Bimmerworld and ECS offer uprated gaskets ..certainly on the OFH👌

10-04-2023, 05:14 AM	#1
videopho New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 Z4 sdrive30i Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: DFW Metroplex (North Texas) iTrader: (0)	Oil Housing Gasket and Valve Header gasket Repair It must be a common issue for these types of cars. I brought mine in for the PCV Valve Heater Recall and the car was given a free multi-point inspection with pretty much everything green with the exception of those two issues: leak from those two areas of the engine. I was quoted over $1k for the OHG and around $800 for the Valve header gasket. Are these $$$ estimates reasonable considered it's from a pretty big BMW dealership where I live?
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10-09-2023, 02:37 PM	#2
Tangent Lieutenant 298 Rep 584 Posts Drives: G01, F82, E89, F25 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: California iTrader: (2)	Yes, those issues are relatively common unfortunately. They are also critical to get fixed ASAP. Oil leaking from the OFHG will get on the accessory belt and it'll slip off the crank pulley. Because of the design of the pulley it'll slip off to the back, get crammed between the pulley and engine block, and pretty quickly shreds of belt will get stuffed through the front main seal. That debris is now in the oil pan where it'll get sucked up and clog the oil pickup and starve the engine of oil. As far as the price I really don't know if those are normal dealership prices since I DIY but I do know that you're much better off going to a well-reviewed independent BMW or at least euro specialist shop instead. Dealerships are for when you still have a warranty, otherwise they charge way too much. Neither of these jobs is very difficult and they don't require any specialist tools even. I highly recommend replacing the accessory belt and tensioner while you/the mechanic is in there and also upgrading the "mickey mouse flange" (about 21:16 in the first video below) with a metal one. I've upgraded that on 3 BMWs so far and every last one of the stock plastic ones was already deteriorating with 2 of them breaking apart on removal. DIY for OFHG (different model; same engine so any differences will be4 super minor): DIY for belt and tensioner:
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10-11-2023, 12:18 PM	#3
videopho New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 Z4 sdrive30i Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: DFW Metroplex (North Texas) iTrader: (0)	Does anyone recommend the part number for the valve cover header gasket and the oil filter hosing gasket?
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