New OEM valve cover finish failing?

[Bubbles]

I need some input on this. Current valve covers have significant bubbling and I ordered a new set of OEM valve covers. I noticed some strange bubbling or debris embedded on one of the covers. For those of you who have swapped in new covers does this appear off? The other side is pristine and what I would expect given the price.

[SAMM3Y]

Trash from the paint shop by the look of it.
You could reject it and ask for another but I'm sure if you scrutinized every cover you'll find imperfections.

To clarify the shadowing is from the cast of the magnesium. The top rough stuff is paint trash.

[Bartledoo]

For some reason, this reminds me of all of the people destroying engines with powder coated covers when the sand infiltrates the engine. Makes rod bearings look like a joke when they're done.

[Epoustouflant]

Looks like shoddy paint work.

[RE36TRO]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

For some reason, this reminds me of all of the people destroying engines with powder coated covers when the sand infiltrates the engine. Makes rod bearings look like a joke when they're done.

No issues powder coating given you avoid the underside.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by RE36TRO

No issues powder coating given you avoid the underside.

Yea lots of people do the bottom too and f their engine.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

For some reason, this reminds me of all of the people destroying engines with powder coated covers when the sand infiltrates the engine. Makes rod bearings look like a joke when they're done.

When I was young I had a fresh rebuild on my dirt bike and upon reassembly I hadn't seated the back side of the air box properly and my first lap out on the track behind a sandy roost it sucked up a bunch of sand through the carburetor. By the time I left the corner the motor had lost all compression... to this day we still refer to it as the "thousand dollar lap" 😂 a lesson which seemed expensive at the time but it taught me a lot and these days I almost think it was worth it.

[RE36TRO]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Yea lots of people do the bottom too and f their engine.

Agree, no bueno

[Scrippy]

Looks like contamination under the paint. That does not look like cast imperfection to me.

[Bubbles]

I took a closer look this morning and it looks like the entire side has embedded material as if it was dropped on the floor during paint. The underside that holds the valve cover seal has debris as well. This is going back.

[Helmsman]

OEM delivery? Bad to the bone.

[TechE]

Don't get me wrong here, I'm a stickler for imperfections and detail, but IMO this isn't all too concerning. My set also had a bit of the same, so I don't think there's any escape with the OEM route.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

OEM delivery? Bad to the bone.

Purchased from a dealer.

Originally Posted by E.Usaf

Don't get me wrong here, I'm a stickler for imperfections and detail, but IMO this isn't all too concerning. My set also had a bit of the same, so I don't think there's any escape with the OEM route.

This makes me feel a bit better, but the driver’s side finish is perfect.

[amrazM]

I dunno why you guys buy new valve covers, the same shit is gonna happen to it. you cant paint magnesium, in the past when bmw used magnesium valve covers, SULEV cars, the cover itself was unpainted cause paint doesnt adhere to it properly.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by amrazM

I dunno why you guys buy new valve covers, the same shit is gonna happen to it. you cant paint magnesium, in the past when bmw used magnesium valve covers, SULEV cars, the cover itself was unpainted cause paint doesnt adhere to it properly.

Maybe. After costing out new bolts, seals, spark plug tubes and oil pickups it comes down to convenience for replacement. In some cases, you won’t know if the seal is failing or the cover is warped until after the swap. I’m not interested in that possibility.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Maybe. After costing out new bolts, seals, oil pickups it comes down to convenience for replacement. In some cases, you won’t know if the seal is failing or the cover is warped until after the swap. I’m not interested in that possibility.

Plus with Fcp euro warranty why not?

[drrust]

Personally I would pressure the dealer to replace. My understanding is that the coating isn't a 'paint' rather a ceramic coating. Agree that when one takes into account replacement of all the fasteners and spark plug tubes the new ones begin to make sense.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by drrust

Personally I would pressure the dealer to replace. My understanding is that the coating isn't a 'paint' rather a ceramic coating. Agree that when one takes into account replacement of all the fasteners and spark plug tubes the new ones begin to make sense.

Seller understood the concern and ordered a new valve cover. Here are some interior pics for posterity.

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by drrust

Personally I would pressure the dealer to replace. My understanding is that the coating isn't a 'paint' rather a ceramic coating. Agree that when one takes into account replacement of all the fasteners and spark plug tubes the new ones begin to make sense.

it costs about $500 in parts to replace all gaskets, bolts, spark plug tube seals, os with oem, powercoating is about $250. OEM valve cover is $630 per side from FCP, please tell me where it begins to make sense to spend $1260 plus tax and the cost of installation to have the paint flake again?

[drrust]

Originally Posted by amrazM

it costs about $500 in parts to replace all gaskets, bolts, spark plug tube seals, os with oem, powercoating is about $250. OEM valve cover is $630 per side from FCP, please tell me where it begins to make sense to spend $1260 plus tax and the cost of installation to have the paint flake again?

The magnesium degrades. I replaced the passenger side valve cover with a low mileage unit. The old unit had issues with the oil cap getting a good seal. Replacement was noticeably tighter. If magnesium has warped on would spend significant amounts to powder coat just to find out it is bad. Also the OEM sets include the oil separators. The parts one buys is a personal decision some might consider the cost differential acceptable to know that it will work the first time, especially if they are paying for labor.

One other aspect is the time required for powder coating when the vehicle is a daily driver. Some powder coating shops have long turn around times others are quick. One could buy a used set but that would definitely put the price closer to a new OEM set.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by amrazM

it costs about $500 in parts to replace all gaskets, bolts, spark plug tube seals, os with oem, powercoating is about $250. OEM valve cover is $630 per side from FCP, please tell me where it begins to make sense to spend $1260 plus tax and the cost of installation to have the paint flake again?

It can be found for $580 per side so the cost is closer than your figures. I’ll unload the old covers when the remaining supply of new covers are sold out in the near future.

The time it would take me to find a reliable powder coating shop and check the work isn’t worth the effort for me at the moment.

[TX]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

It can be found for $580 per side so the cost is closer than your figures. I’ll unload the old covers when the remaining supply of new covers are sold out in the near future.

The time it would take me to find a reliable powder coating shop and check the work isn’t worth the effort for me at the moment.

I'll second that. I found them for $550 a side. I was adding up parts and refinishing, plus down time along with hunting down a local shop to refinish 10 year old covers and decided it wasn't worth it. Also, I wanted to stay with the clean OEM look.