valve cover gasket replace FAIL? 01 e39 525i (ya 525, I know)

[1gr8e39]

I bought a 2001 525 as of recent, I needed a good DD to keep miles off the e60. Anyways I went through the car last week to get it up to par and there was a decent amount of oil in the RF (pass side) of the engine comp. I assumed it was the valve cover gasket and got to work. Its no quick job but its a valve cover gasket. I swapped out the gasket and spark plug ring gaskets and re-assembled the car. I looked and saw it didnt call for any rtv, so I didnt use any. I put an extra 5psi torque on the bolts even. The car still has a small amount of oil seeping and the fan blows it all over the passenger side of the comp. Before I lost a lot more oil, so its better, my question is do these valve covers warp? Should I have used RTV? I hate any oil seepage whatsoever. What do I do? Anybody experienced this with the M54? Never had a VCG not fix the issue. Thanks?

Chad (awesome signature) I dont know how to create a signature

[bmwdirtracer]

The directions call for a small amount of high-quality silicone (I like Permatex UltraGrey) at the seams of the timing cover, and on the rear half-moons. It is also crucial that you replace the 15 rubber grommets . Do not overtorque the nuts - when they go tight, you're done, they are hitting the cylinder head.

Yes, the valvecovers warp, and they also crack, if the wrong nuts are used. However, you've said you "assumed" the problem was the VCG. You should clean the engine, and make sure that's where the oil's coming from. It might be the timing chain tensioner, or....?

[marcva]

Also it pays to use the factory gasket. I Put in an aftermarket part that was terrible...too thin to be effective.

[Rudolph320i]

Remember, that wonderful crankcase vent system can clog up and force oil out of the valve cover gasket.

[1gr8e39]

What is recommended to check the crankcase vent system? I did use the factory replacement. Its definitely not coming from either of the timing cover or the rear half moons. its within a few inches from the front of the pass. side front of the cover. Your talking about the 15 rubber grommets on the bolts? Im sure your right, either its the valve cover itself and it has warped OR its leaking elsewhere. Basically its dripping onto the lower radiator hose. i can get pics

[Rudolph320i]

As far as I know you cant really check the crankcase vent, but at a certain age/mileage they need to be done because the hoses get brittle from all the hot oil.

[bmwdirtracer]

Well, actually, you can test the crankcase vent system. It requires a Slack tube Manometer, and a modified oil filler cap. I have this tool; it only cost about $65; one of my cheapest tools. The crankcase vent system should have a vacuum of 3-5 inches of WATER. Note that ordinary vacuum gauges read in inches of MERCURY, and will therefore be useless for this test.

If you lift the oil fill cap off while the engine is running at idle, and you have pressure, instead of a very minor vacuum, then you have a serious problem. If this is the case, step 1 will be to replace the crankcase vent valve (cyclone separator), and the 4 associated hoses....and you should also clean the oil dipstick tube.

The timing cover seams are 2" back from the front of the engine. The issue could be there - especially if the cylinder head has ever been milled. However, again...you must clean the area, and find out where the highest wet point is. The timing chain tensioner is a couple inches below the VCG, and pretty much exactly where you're describing.

[dworthy]

+1 I made one for about 10 bucks:

[1gr8e39]

Great! Ill get into it and post if I have any questions or an answer. Thanks dirtracer.

[marcva]

Thanks for the ccv test. As the owner of an aging e36, I've always wondered when it was time to go after it.

[bmwdirtracer]

For everyone's benefit, maybe dworthy and O2 pilot will post pictures of the slack-tube manometers they made at home?

[1gr8e39]

Yeah lets see them if you would

[bmwdirtracer]

See O2 pilot's epic thread:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...lacement/page8

Page 1, post 3, gives a description of the tool, and how to make it.
Page 8, post 183, shows dworthy's tool, made at home.

[dworthy]

Funny, I posted them inline, but I guess the forum didn't like it or something....