How to Replace the Valve Cover on a BMW N51/N52N Engine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- ► Valve covers are typically a lifetime component. The gaskets that seal the valve cover to the cylinder head are a common replacement item and a common source for oil leaks. If the valve cover is warped or damaged in any way it will need to be replaced. This Genuine BMW replacement is the ideal repair solution as it comes with a valve cover gasket set and mounting bolts. Follow along as Gareth Foley takes you through the steps needed to replace your valve cover.
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Thanks to this repair, I was able to teach my neighbors a few new curse words that I'm certain they'd never heard before. Appreciate the video help and guidance!
I'm from Germany and work on BMW for almost 40 years.
Best video I have seen for this job.👍
Thanks for watching Axel; happy wrenching!
Me trying to think back to the days I used to pull the safety pins off grenades 😂
Dude...."thank you" ...this video saved me 1600 bucks. was an excellent video on how to do it. cant say thank you enough
We are more than happy to help how111now , that's why we make these videos! Glad it saved you some serious coin!
How many hours did it take you to get this done?
Absolutely amazing, I can't thank you guys enogh for your videos. I'm tired of my BMW being treated like its some sort of spaceship you need a PHd to work on and getting charged up the ass for dumb repairs. Your business, pricing and parts are top notch!
Honestly 👌
I pulled the wipers and inner shield off. Then, removed two bulkhead panels which live over the back of the valve cover. Doing this allows the cover to basically lift straight off. Saved aggravation and a ton of time!
Nice work, John!
Seriously, CANNOT thank you enough for these vids!!!!! I had to rangle in my husbands help but we had to change the valve cover, spark plugs, oil filter housing gaskets, etc... but all thanks to your vids we ordered parts needed from your site and followed step by step each video we needed to get it all done ourselves, with a lot of crying and cussing 😂🤣
THANK YOU!
Excellent video. BUT for those who will crack the PCV valve hose which happens to the best of us- as I just cracked mine, you do NOT need to pull the intake to get to the other two connections off. Watch a video to pull the alternator and reach in cut the two tabs that hold the keeper rings on both connectors and simply pull off the connectors and replace the hose. The problem with these connectors is the heat over time makes them very stiff and not pliable and causes them to not release. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the video! I just did the valve cover on my wife's 2012 128i convertible with the N51 engine. It took two days but everything went smooth. Just like he said in the video, the hardest part is getting the valve cover off and the new one back on. The next hardest part was torquing the valve cover bolts in the back. My process wasn't exactly like in the video since the 128i has a different wiring harness and additional strut bars. I just took my time and was careful and patient when removing all of the plastic connectors. I certainly don't want to have to do this again for at least the next 80,000 miles. But I did save enough money doing it my self that I bought a new computer!
This video saved me $1,200 from the dealer. I spent $60 on gaskets and used the same valve cover. Thank you for the great tutorial!
You're very welcome, Austin! Happy to hear you liked our tutorial and saved a ton of money by doing this repair yourself!
Thanks for this video. It was very helpful. I did mine on a 128i, and space is tighter than on that X3. Two recommendations to add here. First, don't even think about trying to save the PCV hose. That sucker literally fell apart in my hands, so order a new one. You can install it without completely removing the intake manifold. just remove the bolts on the manifold and slide it out an inch or two. Second, remember that you will have to reset the window limits after disconnecting the battery. Hold the window switches down for at least five seconds after they are fully down, and the auto up function will work again.
The best vid there is!
Just follow his steps and you cant go wrong.
Get someone to help pull the PCV hose while you press the tabs, makes life a lot easier.
Another tip, on my 128i there is a plastic vent piece in the center at that joint below the windshield/above firewall where that rubber seal runs across THAT CAN BE REMOVED with a few bolts and gives so much more room for the back of the valve cover where the breather hose connection is. When I figured this out it made installing it SO much easier.
Late to the party as well. Helping a friend who picked up a 2007 328i. Has almost 100k on the engine and is idling rough. An independent shop wanted to charge him $1000 for plugs and coils packs. Had him order parts from FCP and we knocked it out. Didn't resolve the rough idle though. At least he didn't spend $1000.
I know he needs a valve cover gasket, and it is leaking around the valvetronic motor and the eccentric shaft sensor. Hoping that may resolve the idle. Probably check the injectors while they are out.
Thank you so much for the detailed video. You were a great help when I rebuilt an 03 525i for my wife. Thanks for taking the time to help the DIY crowd👍
I'm 2 years late, but just found this video, as I now need to do this on my E92; thank you for the best video on the subject! one more proof FCP is the best!
Get this man a bigger hat FCP euro.
Big head problems..
Gareth does, in fact, have a large head. How else do you think he knows how to do all these DIYs? ;)
I did this job, thanks to this and other youtube vids, it went really well. The one thing I would add with my experience since doing it a year and a half ago is to caution people when installing the new seal for the valvetronic motor to be very careful not to overdrive or otherwise strip out the plastic when driving the two screws for that football shaped gasket. I managed to do that on one of the screws without really trying and in short order I had a small oil leak (again!) but worse, I developed a vacuum leak and eventually started getting mixture codes (running lean), misfire codes, mass air code, etc. There isnt a lot of spare material to work with and the hole is only so deep so I had to be super careful, but I was able to use only a 5/16-18 tap and get a decent grip for a short bolt to secure the gasket. vacuum loss solved. I dont know if it was low grade plastic used to make the valve cover or what (I bought aftermarket - not ebay $100 knockoff cheap but from a discount vendor online) so maybe that was the problem.
Very good advice. I too did the same thing, heard a crack but it was the old valve cover and had plans to replace it anyway.
How many hours took you?
@@samoo8933 probably 4-5 hrs
Glad I didn't have to do this. I went in to the dealership for the regular 2 year inspection and they found that the gasket was leaking oil so curiously enough it fell under the SULEV warranty which I thought had expired since the car is 10 years old, talk about a win!
Great video. My e92 ran really rough on startup but no codes. I went back in and found that the coil shields were not pressed all the way into the recesses. Be sure they are pressed past the little tabs you see on the inside of the cover.
Glad it was a simple fix, Sweeper!
The only video you need to watch if you have an x3 with n52. Done mine and it feels good.
This is a lot less of a headache than I had anticipated. Think I'll be more than able to swap the coil packs and plugs while im in there! God help me if the starter fails, that's the one job im dreading.
Thanks for this!
Currently doing this job and the rear left bolt has me screaming. Absolutely aggravating lol this is a great video though
Thank you for this great video! This is a very well explained step-by-step process. Gareth Foley is one of the best I've seen so far (have watched a lot of mechanic videos). Explaining details of what's critical and what's not is super helpful. Just ordered my first part from FCP Euro. Going to be doing this particular job on my car soon plus other repairs on my car. Looking forward to ordering more from FCP Euro and learning more from you guys. I was going to get rid of my BMW, but thanks to you guys and a few others who post to TH-cam helpful videos, I decided to hang onto my car and invest in working on it myself.
This is at a perfect level for someone like me who grew up working on American cars taught by my late father who used to be a mechanic for Yellow Cab and Coca-Cola. The basic concepts I learned growing up apply here. Videos like this completely close the learning gap for someone at my level of understanding auto mechanics.
Great video. I did this procedure on a 2011 328i E93 N51 version. I broke the PCV breather hose even though I was warned so I had to also remove the intake manifold. I cut out the PCV valve rather than replace the whole valve cover because I didn't want to risk an ill fitting aftermarket cover. Changed all the gaskets in the process and things look and work great. It was very tight getting the valve cover back on the head though. I think it was the riskiest part of the job getting the cover with the new gasket past the valve springs and the firewall/chassis at the base of the windshield. Thanks again for the video.
Awesome video Gareth! Just finished the job without a hitch and you made it a whole lot easier! Well done!
Thanks, Mike! Really happy to hear that!
I want thank for saving me over 1800. Your Vedic is great I followed it to the T. I HAVE BEEN having the oil leak for months. Not many regular mechanics like working on BMW. THX!
On the e90 n51, you have a lot less room for removing/placing the valve cover and it is easy to have a second person with you. This video was a massive help, I ended up breaking the old valve cover when trying to put it back on and had to buy a new one. I was installing Milvs which lead to a new valve cover and coolant return line😅, All & all just stuff that needed to be replaced.
Good video, anyone doing this job just have patience and be careful these engines are brittle and a lot of things can break.
Patience is key!
Just a heads up for all the N51 owners in CA. If you’re still under 150k and 15 years, this service is 100% covered by BMW. Just had mine done at 100k May of ‘23.
more info? please
do i need a code or can i just take it?
What if its at 15 years
Where did you get this information??
Just goes to show these great vids never get old, I'm stripping my Bro's 2006 E90 323i down this morning, spent a couple of weeks to make sure we've got all our parts and tools ready, wish me luck 😉👍
Thanks for the video. I had an exclusive local BMW shop perform this job around 3 years, thank you Covid and 4,000 miles ago on my '08 328i that I bought new and has 78,000 miles. It was in for an annual service when they suggested the valve needed replacing...$1,400. Recently it had a miss fire for the first time. I bought a code reader and that listed #1 coil pack failure. I tore into this repair and found oil in 4 of the spark plug recesses and also found the original spark plugs to be toast. They charged me for a new valve cover and it seems they only replaced the gasket. I found the top front corner cover bolt sitting proud and the two center fastener studs not torqued. At all three of these bolt locations there is an alignment dowel sleeve. It seems that the cover had not been seated correctly.
The cover also has date codes that indicated the cover was made in '07. Although I just ordered a bunch of parts from FCP to complete this job, I didn't order a new cover, just the gasket set. I'm going to check the closely cover for damage and warpage. I vacuum tested the PCV valve and it is holding vacuum. When I held the cover up, a fair amount of oil did drip out of the PCV tube on the back of the cover. Would this be normal?
I will tackle my E90/n52, I will take my time and do things safely. thx for the video
Just thought I'd point out for stubborn plastic pieces like that PCV hose, a heat gun can help to make those parts a little more pliable and save a ton of headaches.
I've done this before, it involves a lot of crying
This job can be pretty involved depending on the car. E9X vehicles seem to be the most difficult because of the DME box in the back right corner of the engine bay.
E92 is a pain; I was so glad when I finished. I did it at the 103k mark, still running strong at 185k!
@@PleasherP same, every one wants to claim that these cars are not reliable, but every car requires some level of maintenance. My goal is to drive mine until I graduate and move on to a 4 series car
@bmwvenire92 you do know the Subaru engines are even a bigger hassle to change out valve covers
I did this job and it was so bad, kinda of easy in fact. The water pump was so much more difficult and not my favorite.
One question, so I don’t have to scan my car and relearnd the valvetronic motor , I only turn on the ignition couple of time ?
Thank you so much. This is an awesome step by step video. I took my time and followed your instructions to complete this repair myself. Never would have been able to do it without your video. 😀
Way to go!! Always happy to be of help😎
I get it, I "can" do this lol but I also fully understand why it takes over a grand to have a good shop do this. Great video and very informative 👍 Gonna have my shop go ahead and handle this one lol
Great video. I could not get the hose loose in the back. I was able to get all the bolts out of the valve cover. For the one under the hose, I had to use a gear wrench, After I removed the valve cover, I was able to get the hose loose.
Great video I forgot to plug the valvetronic plug and the car had a rough idle but after turning it back to position manually and then turn The car on it work fine now
Just did this job on my 2011 X3 F25/N52N using this video as a guide. Worked great. Thanks so much!
You're welcome, Bill! Glad it worked out!
Great video! I have a 2010 X5 and I had to reinstall the air box and MAF sensor prior to the first start. It would start but not continue to run until I took those steps.
For E70 X5, you have to remove one of the brackets thats used to hold down trim cover. Or else it hits the a/c lines. Get it in the far left corner on an angle and push back and level out straight. Once it's down into position, check for seal in place.
I pulled that bracket off too for my 128i. Hell there was no bolt in the beauty cover there anyways. Made installation MUCH easier.
I replaced my cover and removed the bracket as well... the cover went in so much easier. Thankful
I really like to know why 56 perfect people gave you a thumbs down. This is by gay the most detailed video to remove the valve cove on TH-cam...And in English SMDH
This process is slightly different on my 06 325i (E90) but this video made it 75% easier. Thank you very much. Yeah, the torque specs are very loose for a valve cover, I could take off the old valve cover bolts with one hand and a 1/4 drive ratchet. Ridiculous.
I did this same thing.no more rude noise.no more engine shaking no more rpm up nd down.now feel power nd engine running smooth.thanks for the video...
You're welcome! Glad you got your car running smoothly!
Hey bud rough idle issu still same up and down.how to fix this
lucky gill 🤣😂🤣😂😂😂
Just a tip for removing the valve cover once bolts are off: I've learned opening the oil cap in combination with bear hugging the damn thing and twisting worked pretty well.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks! Got my wife's '09 Z4 done and purring w/out that leak! Next up? Bilstiens and bushings. :)
First off, that random sensor beep was funny as hell. Second, that high pitched “wtf?” 🤣
Nice walkthrough. It's just the camera moving and focusing make one dizzy.
Gareth great job and you have a nice way about yourself too. Really enjoy all your videos!
About a 3 hours job that most mecanics charge about 2k$ for. Thanks for showing how to everyone.
Happy to help you save money, Jonathan!
I did mine using this video thanks a lot I did order my parts fro FCP; a couple of hints that helped me,
I struggled with the breather hose, for at least 2 hours, then thought about it some more.. I just couldn't get my fingers to press it in effectively and it just wouldn't come off..
Use a hose clamp around the breather hose bit that you squeeze, not too tight - and use a small flathead screwdriver under one of the plastic bits that links to the bit you squeeze, it came off pretty easily when I did this
2nd, I snapped a couple of the ALU bolts using a cheap torque wrench. got new bolts took the cover off again and did it by feel this time. Unless you have a quality accurate wrench I would suggest this approach.
As a side note the snapped off bolts came out easily by hand, so if you do snap one don't think the world has ended..!
Thanks for the support, Murray! And thank you for the tips!
Best video I found for this job, and I watched a lot..best regard from Germany...
Love fcp. I’ve done so many how to videos on my TH-cam using your parts. Thanks!
Thank you for the support!
i feel like Gareth is the only Tech that works on car in this company 😂
You're kinda not wrong! 😂
Nicely presented. A big job made obvious, if still not easy! Would enjoy a little more instruction on the breather hose disconnection and how to become zen with that move. Thanks!
I just did this job, thorough and excellent video! On the breather hose disconnect, I chose to use a pick to gently lift up on the retaining ring as I couldn’t get fingers on both the appropriate areas for applying pressure. Gentle upward pressure had same effect as pinching both sides of clip - retainer released without damage.
I just bought a kit last from you guys last week for my 128i that came with the eccentric crank sensor.Cant wait to install it in the morning.Its the second time I've done it on an n52
Good Job! Fav Video on this job! working on my 6th VCG, but always good to relive the pain before hand.
Thanks, Karl! Glad you like the video!
You on the west coast?
Did my e90 and of course used FCP Euro to supply the parts! Good tip on the O2 sensors, I goofed and had them installed backwards, car did run too that way albeit poorly
13:10 breather hose removal timestamp
Gareth thanks you excellent diy... step to step. I have mine to do on my N52 ... YOU ARE AWESOME ! 😊
You can do it!
Great video....Did this job about 6 months about on my E91. Ordered parts from you guys of course.
I just did this, and it was pure hell
Ich schaue deine Videos aus der Schweiz und danke dir für deine tollen Videos, du hast mir damit schon oft weitergeholfen 😊👍
My eccentric shaft motor didn't have any spring tension movement at all when I pulled the e8 torx bolts out. When I turned the 4mm hex clockwise it didn't get tension on it it just went until it stopped. And then just like you're doing I pulled the e8s and it didn't move at all
So I did the valve cover replacement and everything and now it's wanting to stall at idle, the rpm's drop but then pick back up every so often. Please help. 09 bmw 328i xdrive N51.
Did you end up finding a fix for this one? I’m having a similar problem after changing the valve cover and spark plugs.
I’m also getting a squealing noise on acceleration
so the eccentric shaft motor position auto learn it self if you cycle the ignition key from off to acc couple of times ??
Awesome video brother very self-explanatory couldn't have done it without you thank you so much
Thanks so much for making this video! Just changed the entire valve cover and all gaskets on my 2010 E90 and this video was super helpful!
Glad it helped!
Great video - How long would you estimate it should take a trained BMW technician do remove the valve cover?
5 hour job. some cars have different harness you have to remove, but some what the same. Over all 5 hour job I’d say
Excellent information. i appreciate guys like you who share info like this.
Our pleasure, TVC Raider! Glad it was helpful!
The camera guy movement is making me dizzy...would have been useful if the camera was stationary...still a very useful video.
Help, please!
Your video is so well done!! I really appreciate you!
Question, can you clarify the direction to crank the Valvetronic motor to get it in?
Im having a hard time
Clockwise to get it in
Definitely use a Torque wrench. I've done this job like like 3 times now cuz I damaged either the Valve cover gasket, or the Valvetronic seal from over-torquing casukng vacuum leaks. It's a very small torque
100%
Great video just replaced my gasket!
Replaced it and car ran sluggish afterwards and shut off checked the codes it has to do with valvetronic motor any ideas
Thanks for the video.
But i have a question…
I take the valvetronicmotor off without the service-stand. I took it off and i hear a klick.
How can i take it in service and how to put it back and reset it,or does reset it at his self?
Seriously, thank you for this vid. I was able to get the job done because of this guide.
You're welcome, Jeffery! Great to hear you got the job done!
Awesome tutorial mate!! Appreciate your help! Thanks a lot
This is a great video for this job, thank you very much for posting it and taking the time on the details. My only difficulty was taking the breather hose off the rear of the valve cover, but eventually got it. I have a 2011 so I lifted the wiring loom out of the computer box which really helped.
I have a question. My 2011 has 107,000mi, runs perfectly. Should I change out the eccentric shaft sensor or not? It looks ok, is original to the car. What is the lifespan of that sensor? Would you buy a BMW part of VDO at half the price.
Again, thanks so much for posting this. It really saved me a bunch of time.
Glad you like the video Martin and I'm happy we were able to help! If you car is running perfectly there is no need to change the essentric shaft sensor out, however, if you wanted to do it as preventative maintenance, you can certainty save a lot of money buying the VDO sensor and should not have any issues!
Thanks for the great video, as well as awesome parts along with fast delivery.
You are very welcome, Cleon. Thank you for the support!
Just did my seal and great Video helped a lot.
Hey man just finished up on my 2010 528xi but got back in to start and it turned over and turned back off , I then took a look at my vvt and rechecked all my wiring I tried it again then it wouldn’t even turn over . I’m thinking i could’ve made a mistake with the VVT but I’m not sure . PLEASE HELP !
Have you thought about wearing a LED light on your head so it points to wherever you're looking at and started instead of trying to manhandle and external LED light?
Brilliantly shot video
Thanks, Sirjit!
Brave guy who knows so much about a car which has most things which will fail around 80k to 100k mark. I had one, these are shit boxes.
FCP... wonderful place for products as well as diy videos! Cant find torx specs for the center bolts in the cover.
Thanks so much for this video. @27.50, is it possible pressurize diaphragm chamber instead of vacuum through the niipple ? if so can it done without removing vacuum hose to do this test without removing valve cover from engine head. and also how pressure/ vacuum we can apply in terms of unit?
In my n52,there's a lot of wiring that goes across the rocker cover and I can't seem to get them out of the way,as well as a hard oil line
When you disconnect the battery do you have to re register when reconnecting?
Just AMAZINGLY detailed, thank you very much!
Hello friends of FCP Euro, watching the video of how to change the gasket of the Valve Cap of the BMW N52; I see you did a procedure that maybe I didn't do :( when removing the Valvetronic! I removed it but not correctly (loosen all the screws that hold it and turn the torx #4 the valvetronic but forget to loosen the torx #8 before doing so) and I want to know now that I change the gasket as I should place it to avoid an engine failure. Thank you
If you break the breather hose, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE INTAKE. I got access to it by just removing the alternator. Had to break off the tabs on the furthest connector to get it off, but that's okay if it's being replaced.
A little late for this but i Have some input. This method would only work on the later engines. If you have the n52 with the magnesium VC, then the oil separator is bolted to the intake and it’s gets in the way
What could have gone wrong? see white smoke from behind the engine when I start the car. Turned off and started again still starts smoking from behind the engine.
same is happening with me...doesnt seem like fcp look at this or reply to anything
I replaced my valve cover with a plastic one and I used to have an aluminum one and the crankcase breather hose is t fitting on the valve cover. It’s like the two hoses are the same size so idk what hose to get that will fit on the plastic valve cover.
I just did this the other weekend on my 2009 328i xdrive, when I started it up it ran rough checked the codes and p00bc came up. I didn't mess with the mass air flow sensor at all and now I'm stumped as to what it could be. Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏
That breather hose disconnect in the back, don't even bother with squeezing the squeeze ring. Instead just use dental pick to pick the two latches. Easy peasy.
It's a good practice to use masking tape or plastic bag and zip tie to seal the connector after disconnecting to keep moisture out. It will also prevent it getting contaminated by silicon causing intermittent problem.
Good tip!
@FCP Euro I would also recommend to spend a little more money to buy surface prep and good quality anaerobic sealing compound to get rid off small surface imperfection and to make it seal 99.9% like factory installed. On VAG vehicles they use part # D154103A1 to seal the valve cover. I'm not sure on BMW
Yea l tried using two picks to finagle the clips off the injector rail. That's too damn hard times12! Instead, I use a 1-inch nylon strap, put it around the rail next to last injector and lift the strap straight up. That releases 3 connectors like it's meant to be. Repeat the same step next to the front injector to release the other 3 connectors. The best part of this procedure is the metal clips stay on the connectors.