Is it VCG leak time?

Agentphish · 12-21-2013, 12:35 PM

Noticed this this morning when doing a quick under-hood cleaning. Hadn't really noticed this before, though last time I looked closely at that area at all was when I did my plugs about 9 months ago. Car is a 328 and only has 53,300 mi on it.

Thanks.

Agentphish · 12-21-2013, 02:59 PM

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is definitive based on my pics. Thought sure of the 100 or so people who looked at this might have said something by now for as common as this is supposed to be.

thanks guys

DouggyB · 12-21-2013, 03:35 PM

We can take care of this when we do your lifters/rockers :-)

stashtrey · 04-24-2014, 09:42 PM

Kinda odd how it is all up the side of the valve cover. Mine was back near the 5/6 cylinders and it would collect in that aluminum tray then drip down onto my exhaust/DPs.

Likely gasket but best to reolace them both and be done with it.

StereoSteve · 04-25-2014, 12:25 PM

check for oil in spark plugs. could be the valvetronic motor gasket...those pictures look like its in that area. replace both the valve cover gasket and the motor gasket, clean it up and see if it returns. could be the valve cover itself.

PINeely · 04-25-2014, 12:39 PM

You may wanna get your oil filter housing gasket done at the same time. That's not this leak, but those are a huge problem in these cars and a little preventative maintenance never hurt.

GarlicBread · 04-25-2014, 02:02 PM

Valve cover leak for sure and maybe the valvetronic motor. Definitely do both saves you another headache later

Blackhawk36 · 04-25-2014, 02:18 PM

Does pic #2 show a crack where the bolt goes through the plastic? That would cause the VCG to leak.

PhaseP · 04-25-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Kinda odd how it is all up the side of the valve cover.

I think it is capillary action of the dirt and dust on the cover that is making the oil creep up like that against gravity.

Agentphish · 04-25-2014, 07:59 PM

Guys... This is my thread someone brought back from the dead. I Posted about and had the work done in December 2013 under CPO.

My OFHG is still fine.

VCG, valvetronic and Eccentric shaft/gaskets were replaced during this repair. Along with some other stuff.

Team Lem at Stevens Creek BMW came through in the clutch.

12-21-2013, 12:35 PM	#1
Agentphish Major 129 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Is it VCG leak time? Noticed this this morning when doing a quick under-hood cleaning. Hadn't really noticed this before, though last time I looked closely at that area at all was when I did my plugs about 9 months ago. Car is a 328 and only has 53,300 mi on it. Thanks. __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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12-21-2013, 02:59 PM	#2
Agentphish Major 129 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Just wondering if anyone knows if this is definitive based on my pics. Thought sure of the 100 or so people who looked at this might have said something by now for as common as this is supposed to be. thanks guys __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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12-21-2013, 03:35 PM	#3
DouggyB Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	We can take care of this when we do your lifters/rockers :-)
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04-24-2014, 09:42 PM	#4
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Kinda odd how it is all up the side of the valve cover. Mine was back near the 5/6 cylinders and it would collect in that aluminum tray then drip down onto my exhaust/DPs. Likely gasket but best to reolace them both and be done with it.
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04-25-2014, 12:25 PM	#5
StereoSteve Private First Class 10 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 07 E92 / 86 K75 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	check for oil in spark plugs. could be the valvetronic motor gasket...those pictures look like its in that area. replace both the valve cover gasket and the motor gasket, clean it up and see if it returns. could be the valve cover itself.
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04-25-2014, 12:39 PM	#6
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1086 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	You may wanna get your oil filter housing gasket done at the same time. That's not this leak, but those are a huge problem in these cars and a little preventative maintenance never hurt.
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04-25-2014, 02:02 PM	#7
GarlicBread Brigadier General 165 Rep 560 Posts Drives: 17' M4 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (1)	Valve cover leak for sure and maybe the valvetronic motor. Definitely do both saves you another headache later
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04-25-2014, 02:18 PM	#8
Blackhawk36 Captain 30 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Does pic #2 show a crack where the bolt goes through the plastic? That would cause the VCG to leak.
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04-25-2014, 07:59 PM	#10
Agentphish Major 129 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Guys... This is my thread someone brought back from the dead. I Posted about and had the work done in December 2013 under CPO. My OFHG is still fine. VCG, valvetronic and Eccentric shaft/gaskets were replaced during this repair. Along with some other stuff. Team Lem at Stevens Creek BMW came through in the clutch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote