[///Mik3]

For those who've found an oil leak from the valve cover, how many have found that it was just the gasket failing and how many found they needed to replace the valve cover itself? (most specifically for the 328i N52 motor)

Recently when replacing my ignition coils I found traces of oil in the #4 spark plug well. I'm planning to repair it myself, but I'm wondering how likely it is to just be the gasket or is it more likely that the valve cover itself needs to be replaced. A gasket kit is around $100 and a valve cover kit is around $450, so if I don't really need to replace the cover I'd love to avoid spending the extra $350 bucks. Also planning to buy the parts online so I'm hoping to avoid the possible downtime or going through the trouble of returns.

[macheff03]

How many miles

[nsjames]

I put a uro valve cover on mine over 10K miles ago. It was $200ish dollars and came with all the gaskets.

no issues thus far.

[///Mik3]

Originally Posted by macheff03

How many miles

120k

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by ///Mik3

120k

you may as well do the ESS while you're there.

that's what prompted my valve cover replacement at 130ish.

[macheff03]

Well just from experience my e90 with 123k needs a VCG replacement and that's a pretty normal repair on older e90s so I wouldn't be surprised if it was needed anyway

[rocky25b]

When i had oil in the spark plug wells, replacing the the VCG solved it for me.

[RayLivingston]

A gasket can be had for about $30-40, a valve cover for as little as $100. I would replace the gasket, and see if the leak is fixed (most likely, it will be). If not, THEN replace the valve cover.

It's not a lot of work. I can R&R the valve cover on my 335i in no more than 90 minutes without breaking a sweat.

Regards,
Ray L.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

A gasket can be had for about $30-40, a valve cover for as little as $100. I would replace the gasket, and see if the leak is fixed (most likely, it will be). If not, THEN replace the valve cover.

It's not a lot of work. I can R&R the valve cover on my 335i in no more than 90 minutes without breaking a sweat.

Regards,
Ray L.

It was my understanding at 120k miles might as well get a whole new valve cover since the cyclone ports would be kinda clogged and dirty? Also you get 2 new PCV valves internal.

And I also thought a quality valve cover was like 300 to 450 since only one good was the genuine one.

[///Mik3]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

A gasket can be had for about $30-40, a valve cover for as little as $100. I would replace the gasket, and see if the leak is fixed (most likely, it will be). If not, THEN replace the valve cover.

It's not a lot of work. I can R&R the valve cover on my 335i in no more than 90 minutes without breaking a sweat.

Regards,
Ray L.

OEM? Where are you finding them for that cheap?

[///Mik3]

Originally Posted by macheff03

Well just from experience my e90 with 123k needs a VCG replacement and that's a pretty normal repair on older e90s so I wouldn't be surprised if it was needed anyway

Right, i mean either way I'll be replacing the gasket, but whether or not I need to spend the additional money to replace the cover itself as well is what I'm wondering.

[///Mik3]

Originally Posted by rocky25b

When i had oil in the spark plug wells, replacing the the VCG solved it for me.

cool, did you DIY?

[BluAnimal]

I originally planned on preforming just a valve cover gasket. Once I took off the valve cover I realized it was cracking along the base where the bolts are attached. Ended up buying a whole cover.

[macheff03]

Originally Posted by BluAnimal

I originally planned on preforming just a valve cover gasket. Once I took off the valve cover I realized it was cracking along the base where the bolts are attached. Ended up buying a whole cover.

This is what I would do, start with gasket, it needs replacing either way... and if cover is bad get that too

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by ///Mik3

OEM? Where are you finding them for that cheap?

He is finding them that cheap the same way he does it in 90mins

[PARANOlD]

Was just going to do the gasket and broke mine taking it off. Ordered this and used an OEM gasket with it. Figured I'd try this first and I no leaks or issues after about 1000 mi.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by RayLivingston

A gasket can be had for about $30-40, a valve cover for as little as $100. I would replace the gasket, and see if the leak is fixed (most likely, it will be). If not, THEN replace the valve cover.

It's not a lot of work. I can R&R the valve cover on my 335i in no more than 90 minutes without breaking a sweat.

Regards,
Ray L.

Impressive...if true.

Originally Posted by macheff03

This is what I would do, start with gasket, it needs replacing either way... and if cover is bad get that too

Originally Posted by Sgop335

He is finding them that cheap the same way he does it in 90mins

Originally Posted by PARANOlD

Was just going to do the gasket and broke mine taking it off. Ordered this and used an OEM gasket with it. Figured I'd try this first and I no leaks or issues after about 1000 mi.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Valve cover (esp oem) comes with a gasket. If the price is reasonable, I'd go for the whole thing as it comes preassembled and ready to drop on top. I'd do the ESS at the same time for the same reason I did the whole valve cover -- I don't want to do the job any more times than I have to. Walk away confident.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by macheff03

This is what I would do, start with gasket, it needs replacing either way... and if cover is bad get that too

a new cover comes with new gaskets.

https://www.amazon.com/URO-Parts-11-.../dp/B073YYGZWM
$268
seriously this one is fine. It looked and felt just like OEM, made of the same material, same stickers on it.

just didn't have a BMW logo in it.

sample size of two, because the first one had shipping damage and I discovered it's crack in a corner after I installed it.
second one has been on my car for almost 20K miles now without issue.
and I did it the second time a week later in under three hours start to finish.

[CTinline-six]

My 2009 328i had a cracked cover at 39k miles. Luckily it is an N51 and both the cover and gaskets were replaced under the SULEV warranty. Since the cover is plastic, and it is basically the same labor, if I were doing it I would buy the cover also and do it all at once.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

My 2009 328i had a cracked cover at 39k miles. Luckily it is an N51 and both the cover and gaskets were replaced under the SULEV warranty. Since the cover is plastic, and it is basically the same labor, if I were doing it I would buy the cover also and do it all at once.

people I know and trust, that are professional BMW mechanics, told me that it's 50/50 that the cover breaks upon removal and reinstallation.

now, they also told me to only buy a BMW cover, but I couldn't stomach the price so I went with the uro piece.

so far it has not bitten me in the ass.

if I were paying shop labor rates for the work I would probably spend the extra 2 bills on the OE part, because the labor costs to do it over again would be substantially more.

for the DIY'er, the URO piece seems to be fine.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by nsjames

people I know and trust, that are professional BMW mechanics, told me that it's 50/50 that the cover breaks upon removal and reinstallation.

now, they also told me to only buy a BMW cover, but I couldn't stomach the price so I went with the uro piece.

so far it has not bitten me in the ass.

if I were paying shop labor rates for the work I would probably spend the extra 2 bills on the OE part, because the labor costs to do it over again would be substantially more.

for the DIY'er, the URO piece seems to be fine.

Yeah I don't think you need the OEM cover anyway. The one you linked has great reviews.

[///Mik3]

thanks guys, I think I'm convinced I'll just spring for the cover itself. Sounds like it's worth the piece of mind.