Pealing / Cracking Valve Covers / Oil Cap Leak

RoyalFlushness · 10-11-2021, 06:47 PM

Hello Community,

I was wondering if anybody has attempted any sort of DIY on the cracking/pealing valve covers that cause the oil cap to leak due to the uneven surface. I can also note that the inside of the valve cover appears to be corroding as well and possibly going into the motor (I assume that is most likely not a huge issue as allot of it looks like burnt residue).

I was thinking of carefully sanding the area smooth to create a even surface. But, if the consensus is to just replace them with OEM on both sides and just be done with that isn't an issue for me.

Has anybody attempted anything like this or should I just pull the trigger on new valve covers / seals?

Thank you.

tbuck · 10-12-2021, 06:40 AM

Been covered many, many times. Yours look particularly bad, so likely time for new ones. They are not cheap but come with new gaskets and bolts/seals. They can be fixed by proper cleaning and reseal/paint/powder coat but will likely never look as good and/or almost be as much $$$ once you add the gaskets and bolts/seals you will need.

RoyalFlushness · 10-12-2021, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbuck

Been covered many, many times. Yours look particularly bad, so likely time for new ones. They are not cheap but come with new gaskets and bolts/seals. They can be fixed by proper cleaning and reseal/paint/powder coat but will likely never look as good and/or almost be as much $$$ once you add the gaskets and bolts/seals you will need.

Thank you. Yeah I figured I would just go OEM new ones in the event of replacing them. Was just wondering if anybody attempted sanding the flaking area to create a flush area for the oil cap seal to sit on.

tbuck · 10-12-2021, 07:53 AM

Well, that may work for the cap area. The usual issue is once they get as bad as yours are they will also begin to weep from around the gasket area as the bubbling and corrosion make paths for oil to leak out. You can see this on yours in the picture by the lower bolt. This is sadly a very common problem with the magnesium covers BMW used on the S65. Long term fix is to replace them as a unit.

Redd · 10-12-2021, 08:35 AM

Not a long term fix unfortunately. After about 30+k kms, the first pimple has appeared on my otherwise spotless valve covers. Sigh.

tbuck · 10-12-2021, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Not a long term fix unfortunately. After about 30+k kms, the first pimple has appeared on my otherwise spotless valve covers. Sigh.

Yeah, it seems these are just destined to be replaced several times during the life of the car. I also think location plays a part in how fast they corrode. Mine have never seen salt spray and such, and, since I looked very carefully when I last did plugs, are still perfect (on the outside, not going to pull them off to look inside, lol).

Vedubin01 · 10-12-2021, 10:45 AM

If you are looking to replace with new factory covers. You will at some point face this same problem. There was someone selling a set of new covers with gaskets for a great price here. 911r or something user name like that. To take it to a shop to do with new covers you are going to be in the price range of $2-3k to do it correctly.

I did do a write up that walks you though the steps if you want to do it yourself. I list all the part numbers needed to. Hope it helps ya. It sad this is a common issue with our cars.

Tommysalami · 10-12-2021, 11:09 AM

Tried to fix mine and failed. Got new covers from FCP Euro. When they inevitably leak in the future, replacement will be free. And the new covers look super clean and nice now.

10-11-2021, 06:47 PM	#1
RoyalFlushness Lieutenant 354 Rep 414 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	Pealing / Cracking Valve Covers / Oil Cap Leak Hello Community, I was wondering if anybody has attempted any sort of DIY on the cracking/pealing valve covers that cause the oil cap to leak due to the uneven surface. I can also note that the inside of the valve cover appears to be corroding as well and possibly going into the motor (I assume that is most likely not a huge issue as allot of it looks like burnt residue). I was thinking of carefully sanding the area smooth to create a even surface. But, if the consensus is to just replace them with OEM on both sides and just be done with that isn't an issue for me. Has anybody attempted anything like this or should I just pull the trigger on new valve covers / seals? Thank you. __________________ 2008 E90 M3 Build Thread 2001 E46 M3 Build Thread
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10-12-2021, 06:40 AM	#2
tbuck Major 1306 Rep 1,023 Posts Drives: 2016 F23 M235i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Huntsville iTrader: (5)	Been covered many, many times. Yours look particularly bad, so likely time for new ones. They are not cheap but come with new gaskets and bolts/seals. They can be fixed by proper cleaning and reseal/paint/powder coat but will likely never look as good and/or almost be as much $$$ once you add the gaskets and bolts/seals you will need. __________________
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10-12-2021, 07:53 AM	#4
tbuck Major 1306 Rep 1,023 Posts Drives: 2016 F23 M235i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Huntsville iTrader: (5)	Well, that may work for the cap area. The usual issue is once they get as bad as yours are they will also begin to weep from around the gasket area as the bubbling and corrosion make paths for oil to leak out. You can see this on yours in the picture by the lower bolt. This is sadly a very common problem with the magnesium covers BMW used on the S65. Long term fix is to replace them as a unit. __________________
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10-12-2021, 08:35 AM	#5
Redd Brigadier General 5039 Rep 4,842 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Not a long term fix unfortunately. After about 30+k kms, the first pimple has appeared on my otherwise spotless valve covers. Sigh.
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10-12-2021, 10:45 AM	#7
Vedubin01 Banned 974 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	If you are looking to replace with new factory covers. You will at some point face this same problem. There was someone selling a set of new covers with gaskets for a great price here. 911r or something user name like that. To take it to a shop to do with new covers you are going to be in the price range of $2-3k to do it correctly. I did do a write up that walks you though the steps if you want to do it yourself. I list all the part numbers needed to. Hope it helps ya. It sad this is a common issue with our cars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2021, 11:09 AM	#8
Tommysalami Lieutenant 573 Rep 464 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	Tried to fix mine and failed. Got new covers from FCP Euro. When they inevitably leak in the future, replacement will be free. And the new covers look super clean and nice now.
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry10035.50 Quote