Timing Cover Gasket Replacement

[cjm41]

Alright- so I'm not finding any threads covering replacing the timing cover gasket, nor have I found any DIYs on the web. Local shop recently told me I need to do this along with valve cover gaskets as they're all leaking.

Couple of questions... on FCP Euro I'm only seeing "Timing Cover Gasket - Position: Upper" which would lead me to believe there would be another gasket for another position, such as "lower" but this is the only gasket I'm finding:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ng-11127838162

To make matters more confusing, when the shop quoted the work, they put that part on the quote with QTY x2.

Do I need to uppers? Is there even a lower? Do I just need one?

Has anyone done this project and have an idea of what it entails, labor-wise? Anything else I should be doing in conjunction with this project?

[Iyzmi]

The gasket you linked and the valve cover gasket are all you need. They quoted you for 2 because I'm assuming they want to replace both cylinder banks. It's not a tough job, I'd say 3-4 hours total for a DIY. You could also replace spark plugs and coils if you're due for those while you're in there.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

The gasket you linked and the valve cover gasket is all you need. They quoted you for 2 because I'm assuming they want to replace both cylinder banks. It's not a tough job, I'd say 3-4 hours total for a DIY. You could also replace spark plugs and coils if you're due for those while you're in there.

Okay cool. Planning on doing valve cover gaskets, Spark plugs, and spark plug tubes at the same time. Car was just purchased and while i know the car has solid service records I don't know the specifics of each service, I'm at 75k miles, if it's inexpensive I'll just do it as preventative.

[Mvy]

You might want to consider the entire valve cover replacement vs just the gasket. Many have complained that the valve covers leak upon installing a new gasket. The only fix seems to be replacing the whole thing since the existing ones have been known to warp, crack and the inside coating flakes off into the motor.

[cjm41]

Originally Posted by Mvy

You might want to consider the entire valve cover replacement vs just the gasket. Many have complained that the valve covers leak upon installing a new gasket. The only fix seems to be replacing the whole thing since the existing ones have been known to warp, crack and the inside coating flakes off into the motor.

Good lord $1350 for the pair on FCP Euro?

May take my chances on that one. If they're still leaking in six months I'll go ahead and do it then.

[deansbimmer]

There are only the upper timing covers. No lowers on this engine.

The valve cover gaskets can be successfully replaced without replacing the covers themselves, but a leak free job requires exceptional prep. If the tech simply tears out the old gasket and slaps a new one in, it will leak soon after. He'll need to fully degrease the cover and clean up the gasket groove with a rotary tool and wire brush before installing the new gasket. Need to pick a shop with a reputation for attention to detail, or a warranty against leaks.

[Mvy]

Originally Posted by cjm41

Good lord $1350 for the pair on FCP Euro?

Yup. Thats showbiz for ya.

[nycplumber]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

There are only the upper timing covers. No lowers on this engine.

The valve cover gaskets can be successfully replaced without replacing the covers themselves, but a leak free job requires exceptional prep. If the tech simply tears out the old gasket and slaps a new one in, it will leak soon after. He'll need to fully degrease the cover and clean up the gasket groove with a rotary tool and wire brush before installing the new gasket. Need to pick a shop with a reputation for attention to detail, or a warranty against leaks.

Good info. Are the covers actually warping or are all the leaks (mostly) caused by bad prep?

[Richbot]

I replaced the entire cover because I’m a hack and I know my limitations

Figure next time a leak develops I will just get my old set refinished with no downtime other than the swap

New covers come with gaskets and new breathers and bolts. Just need drei bond and spark plug tubes

EDIT: Forgot you'll also want 4 new cam position sensor o-rings, which do NOT come with the new covers from BMW

[jcolley]

Originally Posted by nycplumber

Good info. Are the covers actually warping or are all the leaks (mostly) caused by bad prep?

Leaks are due to the flaking of the paint on the channel the gasket sits in, IME.

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

There are only the upper timing covers. No lowers on this engine.

The valve cover gaskets can be successfully replaced without replacing the covers themselves, but a leak free job requires exceptional prep. If the tech simply tears out the old gasket and slaps a new one in, it will leak soon after. He'll need to fully degrease the cover and clean up the gasket groove with a rotary tool and wire brush before installing the new gasket. Need to pick a shop with a reputation for attention to detail, or a warranty against leaks.

This. Dremel with a wire wheel narrow enough to run through the channel in the valve cover. Hit the entire area that makes contact with the gasket.

Or nuke it from orbit, sandblast the entire cover and powdercoat or send it to SwainTech.

[Richbot]

Oh I like the swaintech idea. white would look rad

[cjm41]

Great and helpful info. Wondering if I could get away with a same-day powdercoating, locally.

My main concern would be the heat from the powdercoating process... of these things are susceptible to warp at 200 degrees, wouldn't the powdercoating process be more problematic?

[Richbot]

There's also nothing theoretically wrong with just stripping and leaving magnesium bare with some marvel mystery oil or similar to keep air off of it. It'll look sorta terrible after a while, but oughtnt to have any flaking etc either

[MPower7]

With the Timing Chain cover Gaskets. What is the Torque to reinstall, are new bolts best practice? Are there any other gaskets required to replace before reinstalling? Thanks!

[KawBoy]

Tried to find it for you, but the closest I've got is here, https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...th-lid/5VFC6oU

[PhYrE]

Originally Posted by MPower7

With the Timing Chain cover Gaskets. What is the Torque to reinstall, are new bolts best practice? Are there any other gaskets required to replace before reinstalling? Thanks!

It’s a M6 (6mm thread, 10mm head). It’s 10nM torque for the four bolts for the upper timing cover. Use the gasket and reuse the four bolts. The blue sealant that comes on the gasket will come out the top, so I hand tightened all four, torqued them bottom two first and then the top two. Still uses dreibond when putting back on the valve cover gasket.