N52 oil leak. Valvetronic actuator?

INTMD8 · 07-17-2019, 09:26 PM

Any insight appreciated. I bought this car several years ago with about 130k and the valve cover was just done at that point.

Along the way I had the oil pan and oil filter housing done and it was solid for many miles.

Now at 190k it was leaking again and appeared to be the valvetronic actuator gasket, which I replaced and it did not help.

Did the valve cover gasket again and it's still leaking.

The void beneath the actuator is filled with oil so it seems to be coming from that area rather than the valve cover to head interface.

Has anyone had the actuator itself leak oil? That's what I'm leaning towards at this point but don't want to go that direction if it's not a possibility.

Also noticed the connector at the front of the valve cover is rather corroded.

Any suggestions on that? (Just clean it up?) Thanks!

[IMG]://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3650/1k0njF.jpg[/IMG]

Volasko · 07-18-2019, 09:05 AM

I can't remember the thread about this but I've seen others with similar problems with swapping out the actuator gasket and it still leaking. When I did mine I made sure I installed it with some liquid gasket maker + the new gasket and so far it has held up. I'd be very confident it isn't from the actuator its self and indeed the gasket. For what its worth I remember hearing that they updated the gasket design so maybe your continual issues are from the wrong part.

Edit:
Found the original thread in question

INTMD8 · 07-18-2019, 11:16 AM

Yes, looks like correcting the gasket holes plus rtv is my next move.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

07-17-2019, 09:26 PM	#1
INTMD8 Private First Class 151 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2012 E91 manual Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Villa IL iTrader: (0)	N52 oil leak. Valvetronic actuator? Any insight appreciated. I bought this car several years ago with about 130k and the valve cover was just done at that point. Along the way I had the oil pan and oil filter housing done and it was solid for many miles. Now at 190k it was leaking again and appeared to be the valvetronic actuator gasket, which I replaced and it did not help. Did the valve cover gasket again and it's still leaking. The void beneath the actuator is filled with oil so it seems to be coming from that area rather than the valve cover to head interface. Has anyone had the actuator itself leak oil? That's what I'm leaning towards at this point but don't want to go that direction if it's not a possibility. Also noticed the connector at the front of the valve cover is rather corroded. Any suggestions on that? (Just clean it up?) Thanks! [IMG]://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3650/1k0njF.jpg[/IMG]
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07-18-2019, 09:05 AM	#2
Volasko Colonel 710 Rep 2,606 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	I can't remember the thread about this but I've seen others with similar problems with swapping out the actuator gasket and it still leaking. When I did mine I made sure I installed it with some liquid gasket maker + the new gasket and so far it has held up. I'd be very confident it isn't from the actuator its self and indeed the gasket. For what its worth I remember hearing that they updated the gasket design so maybe your continual issues are from the wrong part. Edit: Found the original thread in question Last edited by Volasko; 07-18-2019 at 09:11 AM..
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07-18-2019, 11:16 AM	#3
INTMD8 Private First Class 151 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2012 E91 manual Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Villa IL iTrader: (0)	Yes, looks like correcting the gasket holes plus rtv is my next move. Thanks for the info, much appreciated!
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