Replacing valve cover gaskets

[sibhusz06]

my 2011 E90 has a slight weep, and as I have to replace the thermostat due to a fault code, I figured id do both at the same time.

Is there a special sealant that has to be placed at the shelf on the casting of the head towards the front, or is it required at the 4 corners of each valve cover as I can see the factory has used something. I was hoping to just use the Permatex black silicon as a substitute?

[Richbot]

It's called drei-bond, just has to be put on where the "front cover" meets the head casting in 4 spots at the front, the gasket is seamless and so is the mating surface at the abck of the head

There was no factory sealant at the back of the heads on mine when I changed the valvecovers, only at the two seams on each head/timing cover interface up front

[sibhusz06]

thanks for that...

[MPower7]

I've heard a lot of conflicting reports on whether to change the valve covers themselves or just the gaskets? It would be nice to know instead of getting the covers off and realizing then that the are warped. It is as simple as placing them on a flat surface to check if they are warped or not?

[sibhusz06]

I also feared this issue as you pointed out. I decided that ill take the chance with spending 120 on VC gaskets rather than 1200 on new covers and see if it holds up. When I disassembled mine, I realized a lot of the magnesium coating had worn off in areas where the gaskets seat into which could cause a leak. I did set mine down on a table and couldn't see much warpage. Ended up cleaning the valve covers with a Dremel wire wheel all through the gasket passage and so far its good. The gasket itself appears to be about 0.175 thick and I figure should compensate for minor warpage.