casting peeling around oil cap

[dpilat8588]

Anyone have any peeling on the casting around their oil cap? What is actually peeling off? Is this normal? My motor has about 81k on it.

[deansbimmer]

It's relatively normal for the coatings to peel in the front of the covers. The covers are made of magnesium, not a very stable metal so the coatings don't adhere to them terribly well. There have been dozens of threads on the hows and whys if you want to search them up.

[eroc0808]

Yep, have it too. Mine are actually starting to flake inside the valve cover too. My valve cover gaskets are starting to leak a tad as well. I'm doing my gaskets next week and new valve covers as well. Just have to wait for the covers to arrive. I'm at 60k miles. It's just par for the course.

[squartus]

Yea the same paint flakes off and causes the seals to leak, had to replace mine at 56k. Repainted the valve covers as well.

[dpilat8588]

Originally Posted by squartus

Yea the same paint flakes off and causes the seals to leak, had to replace mine at 56k. Repainted the valve covers as well.

so you had to replace the seals? Which seals are you referring to? Was it expensive, and is it a relatively easy DIY? How do you know when they are leaking? Is it easy to tell?

[pbonsalb]

This problem existed on 92-95 E36 as well, which also had magnesium valve covers. Some have powder coated them.

[squartus]

Originally Posted by dpilat8588

so you had to replace the seals? Which seals are you referring to? Was it expensive, and is it a relatively easy DIY? How do you know when they are leaking? Is it easy to tell?

The valve cover gaskets, they can start leaking BAD "lost 2 quarts in 90 miles". Only about 100bucks in gaskets and bolts, but labor is lil pricey if you don't DIY

[cclinard1]

This happened to me on the oil fill top. BMW actually sanded around the top of it to smooth it...towel inside to prevent flakes from getting in. My oil cap was not sealing correctly because of this.