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01-27-2020, 03:26 PM | #1 |
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How concerned should I be about this valve cover gasket leak?
This is my first M3, and first BMW for that matter, and I have been monitoring a slight valve cover gasket leak over the past few months that I have owned the car. My indy mechanic told me to do that, and I do understand that S65's tend to weep a little oil especially at 66k miles. Should this require immediate attention or should I continue to monitor it until changing the gasket is more convenient? Any additional opinions would be great!
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01-27-2020, 03:37 PM | #2 |
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I would keep monitoring it. If you're OCD about a clean engine, you may want to do it sooner. Is your oil consumption high?
Definitely price out the difference options for replacement. One can get the new valve covers with all the associated hardware to just replacing the gasket and spark plug tubes. |
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01-27-2020, 03:59 PM | #3 | |
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While I like a clean car, the main concern is mechanical condition. |
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01-27-2020, 05:07 PM | #4 |
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Sell car immediately.
Just kidding. Mine sweats more than that but doesn't leave any on the ground and I don't have any oil consumption issues. Just wipe it and monitor it as others suggested. Save up for the service but nothing immediately concerning.
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01-27-2020, 06:27 PM | #5 |
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For planning purposes a shop will charge about 3 hours per side. Below are relevant threads.
Advice for powder coating the valve covers https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1679580 Valve Cover Leak? https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1515340 |
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01-27-2020, 06:31 PM | #7 |
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Part out?
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01-29-2020, 10:10 PM | #9 |
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Drives: 2010 E92 M3
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Mine have been weeping for 16k miles, including 3,000 miles in 3 days (cross country). I'm at about 4,500 miles since my last oil change, I've only had to add a half quart since.
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01-30-2020, 09:17 PM | #10 |
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It's already seeping down to the header area. If you don't smell the oil in stoplights yet you will.
I'd replace |
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01-31-2020, 01:11 PM | #11 |
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I plan on getting in done when I get the chance, I don't want to let things get out of hand. You seem more mechanically inclined than me, how would you suggest doing the job? Just replace the gasket or should I also repaint the valve covers while I'm at it?
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01-31-2020, 01:31 PM | #12 | |
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Lots of people have been successful powdercoating the valve covers and then using new gaskets. Personally I just got new valve covers and gaskets vs powdercoating It's not complicated to do, just take your time. Remove the intake plenum and the valve covers are easy to remove after that |
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01-31-2020, 02:28 PM | #14 |
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Eh, if so it a really slow leak. I wiped it clean in an area and it hasn't come back much at all, and like I said I've been driving it a couple months for about 1.5k miles. I bought it with the leak, I guess its what I get for looking at a car at dusk. The car is at 66k, is it normal for the covers to go bad this early?
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02-03-2020, 05:40 AM | #15 | |
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02-03-2020, 07:58 PM | #16 |
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Yeah I'm aware of that one, I'm pretty sure that my cap is the updated version and my valve covers look to be in pretty good condition compared to others I've seen. It's almost certainly coming from the gasket itself.
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03-06-2020, 02:17 PM | #17 | |
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How much are replacement valve covers? Thanks! .
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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03-06-2020, 02:52 PM | #18 | |
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Make sure you replace the gaskets and the spark plug gaskets/tubes while you're in there The powdercoated ones I have sitting around are powdercoated on the outside. I'm not sure if the inside and the mating surfaces are just sandblaster or what. |
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03-06-2020, 03:26 PM | #19 | ||
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03-16-2020, 04:02 PM | #20 |
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What about dirt coming into the valve area?
Because when it gets hot, it expands gases, which forces oil to go out by the gasket. On the other hand, when it gets cold, it compresses, sucking air through the gasket, which may arrest some dirt, right? |
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04-06-2020, 02:24 PM | #21 |
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Mine was like that. I kept an eye on it and planning to replace now that it's leaking onto the exhaust and you can smell it coming through the air vents. No oil dripping yet though.
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08-10-2020, 08:43 PM | #22 |
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Similar question from me - the car had a PPI from a BMW shop (but not one I'm intimately familiar with in terms of reputation) and they did not mention anything, but I just took the car to a dealership and they said it was the valve gaskets and $1200 to replace.
I had inspected this pretty closely when I bought the car, the driver side seems perfect but the very back bolt shown below is crusty, and some oil definitely dripped onto the header, but I can't say I've ever noticed a smell? (Maybe I just am still getting used to the new car smell and I think oil smells nice?) The thing that I'm not clear of, if the gasket was the culprit, wouldn't a lot more oil be spraying out on the surrounding pipe? Would the bolt head be that likely to collect crap? The finish on the valve covers themselves seems to be perfectly fine compared to some of the horror shows I've seen in other threads with everything bubbling off. Car only has 52k miles.
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