BMW E46 3-Series DIY: Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

Thanks for a great write up with pictures. I did this on Monday evening. The VCG was stiff but the spark plug seats were brittle and just broke into pieces when I touched them.

130 miles post replacement and no more leaks.

Great DIY write up!

I put rtv in the seams but forgot to put it in the half moons....Doh! Debating on tearing it all apart again to do the half moons.

Originally Posted by dvast8n

Great DIY write up!

I put rtv in the seams but forgot to put it in the half moons....Doh! Debating on tearing it all apart again to do the half moons.

I forgot to put the rtv sealant in the half moons in the back. and I teared it all apart a second time to get them. I would definitely suggest doing it. Don't wan't that baby leaking again.

Originally Posted by dylan.

I forgot to put the rtv sealant in the half moons in the back. and I teared it all apart a second time to get them. I would definitely suggest doing it. Don't wan't that baby leaking again.

I just got finished....again. I was thinking about it last night and decided I didn't want to deal with it leaking again when I could have prevented it in the first place.

Originally Posted by dvast8n

I just got finished....again. I was thinking about it last night and decided I didn't want to deal with it leaking again when I could have prevented it in the first place.

Ounce of prevention. good plan.

Did the VCG replacement tis weekend. All went well thanks to the DIY for the VCG replacement, no surprises.
However the inside of the valve cover has rust and grease on it. We clean it the best we could. Is this a common condition?

Originally Posted by DRE97

Did the VCG replacement tis weekend. All went well thanks to the DIY for the VCG replacement, no surprises.
However the inside of the valve cover has rust and grease on it. We clean it the best we could. Is this a common condition?

Sludge is common, but rust-I've never seen that before.

Originally Posted by Rickna

Sludge is common, but rust-I've never seen that before.

The sludge as minimal. Now that I think about it, the rust might be dried out sludge. But I cannot seems to remove it all. Tried heavy duty degreasers and rust removers, got most of it off.
Put it all back together.
No leaks. So I'm just going to leave things along.

Originally Posted by Rickna

Ounce of prevention. good plan.

Drove it the last couple of days with no issues.

what is the expected life span after this fix with the application of the RTV? and was this someting bmw came up with after issues?

Originally Posted by DRE97

The sludge as minimal. Now that I think about it, the rust might be dried out sludge. But I cannot seems to remove it all. Tried heavy duty degreasers and rust removers, got most of it off.
Put it all back together.
No leaks. So I'm just going to leave things along.

Update regarding the sludge/rust stuff inside my valve cover.
Looking at post #1 pictures the inside of my valve cover looks similar but the bluish color is more redish. What is that stuff on the inside of the valve cover?

I attempted this today. Everything went smoothly until it was time to remove the valve cover. It will not not come off. Tried some light wacks with a rubber mallet but no luck. Given its made of plastic, I'm not too sure I want to start prying at it with a screw driver...

Originally Posted by klikster

I attempted this today. Everything went smoothly until it was time to remove the valve cover. It will not not come off. Tried some light wacks with a rubber mallet but no luck. Given its made of plastic, I'm not too sure I want to start prying at it with a screw driver...

Plastic putty knife will do the job

+10

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Got my oil changed at the dealership today and they do a 27 point checkover also. I saw someone asked how much they charged for the VCG job. Mine is leaking and they quoted me about $460 parts and labor. Nooo thanks, i'll do it myself for about $50.

Originally Posted by Yodielon

Got my oil changed at the dealership today and they do a 27 point checkover also. I saw someone asked how much they charged for the VCG job. Mine is leaking and they quoted me about $460 parts and labor. Nooo thanks, i'll do it myself for about $50.

$460? (not suprised) Damn, I'm in the wrong business!

I am assuming no oil change has to be done in the process correct?

Does anyone have a pic or diagram showing the torque pattern when putting the VC back on? I just don't want to have to tear it apart again.

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Just signed up to say a big thank you. Job do at a leisurely pace in about 3 hours.

Great write up.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Jperry666

Does anyone have a pic or diagram showing the torque pattern when putting the VC back on? I just don't want to have to tear it apart again.

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There is a torque pattern. I do not have it handy. You start from the middle working crisscross towards both ends. Similar to tightening an intake manifold on a V8 of a 40 year old car.