Just DYI my leaky valve cover gasket on my 2000 528i. Also changed plugs while it was apart. Got the gasket from BMW $55 - aftermarket it cheaper but i like the real thing - Wasn't that hard - I used the instuctions from Pelican parts / DYI help - the car was a 3 series but was close enough for me. I guess this is common problem and the gasket gets hard and brittle over time - then leaks ----
There is a another computer DYI sight out there that has a 5 series instructions - but i could find it when i went to do the work..
yeah the I6 engines are so easy to do a valve cover gasket change on. The parts you get online on reputable vendors are the same thing you're getting at the dealership - just without their markup.
Not sure if it being my first time doing the gasket on the bimmer but it took me approx. 3 hrs. A lot of grommets and nuts. I'm sure it can be completed much quicker than that. Oh yeah, a whole lot of back stretching.
I did valve gasket on previous cars and on my bike, but never on the 528i. I was curious how long for someone who did the 528i for the first time, as it will be my first 528.
not sure about the 528's and the 530's, but on the 540 the most tedious and time consuming thing I found was slipping a long thin screwdriver in between the injectors to unclip them from the electrical box. Not a difficult task, just tedious. But a few beers and a lot of curse words later I had them all unclipped. As for getting them back on upon reasembly, that was a little easier.
Rolling Rock or Blue Moon for the beer. As for the curse words, I like to change it up. It feels better if you vary it rather than saying the same one over and over:rofl:
Back again - It took me about 3 hours - moving slowly - step by step - Didn't know how to remove the Air filter box that runs into the firewall -- just released the round clip and turned the whole unit up-wards clockwise and it came off - just easier to get cover off with that thing out of the way ----- WISH I HAD BOUGHT NEW RUBBER GROMMETS UNDER THE BOLTS - MINE WERE STILL OK BUT WHY NOT CHANGE THEM --- be carefully and remove them and the washers before you take off the cove or they could drop down your engine.
i did my 528i, in 30 mins. while i was painting a car. just replaced the gasket and spark plug gaskets, use the same rubber nut grommets, broke one stud.
I was talking about a 540... should have mentioned that... Those pesky electronics housings above each bank that have the coil boots sticking out get in the way of removing the valve covers...
Probably don't need to remove the rails all together unless you get into the manifold stuff more like I did -- I was getting in there anyway though and found it was easier to remove the fuel rail. The housings, injectors, etc, all pop right out of the manifold very easy.
Hi Guys. I am doing my valve gasket and had a hard time getting the valve cover back on. Than I tighened the bolts and had some popping noise. I put a crack where one of the bolts, washer, and grommet goes in. The crack is from the hole outwards away from the engine. Dunb question but how bad is this? Thanks. I am new to working on my car but you can only learn from doing it or making mistakes. Thanks>
Hey guys I appreciate this post very much. I want to add for those who are doing this for the first time (like me). The old gasket may be so baked that you think you are breaking part of the valve cover itself when you pry it loose. Definitely use a heat gun to loosen up the old gasket from the valve cover. Make sure you remove all parts of the old gasket from below the cover. I had a chunk of the gasket loose under the valve cover for God knows how long.
Again I greatly appreciate these suggestions and step by step instructions you guys linked. The Pelican link was very helpful as well.
Rule #1 when dealing with any engine seal, gasket:
Stick to OEM whether it is Honda or BMW.
This is because OEM gasket only costs a few dollars more, and the labor involved is quite extensive, so you don't want to take the chance.
I dread replacing mine ... but it leaks on the passenger side, and makes an awful 'what-died?' smell when I'm stopped, idling, uphill (in San Francisco).
It must not be leaking much because the oil level doesn't seem to change but there is grunge on the VANOS solenoid below the valve covers that I clean off every few months.
I am going to change my valve cover gasket and about to order the parts on pelicanparts.com but it says $26 each. How many items do I need for my 2002 BMW 530i??
i just did mine today on my 2002 540i. I did not remove the clips from the injectors. You just pull on them and the snap off and the clips stay on the connector. I did this like 3 times and never had any problem with it. They snap back in perfectly. Just align the injectors.
Hi guys
Does anyone know where to get a DIY for doing this on a 540, well mine is a 535I M62TU and I am sure it's the same as the 540 M62TU.
My seals fine and was replaced but my grommets are leaking so I thought what the he'll I will do it all together
Thanks
Addam
You need one VC set but you need to know the car's production date. Things changed between Aug & Sep 02 production. Look on your B-pillar. There is a plate with an engraved date xx/02. That is your production month. Then get the appropriate gasket.
You also need 15 of the following grommets, 11-12-1-437-395-M17.
Did mine as part of the Vanos and Cooling overhaul. I think it took about 20 mins and like some others, the hardest part for me was making sure all the washers and grommets were in place.
On the 540i, the front four grommets are thicker than the remainder. Make sure you get the right ones.
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