Cam Photos During VCG Replacement

[B320i]

As promised so long ago, here are some shots of the cams in my 1993 320i (M50 with VANOS).
The car has 200,400km (124,522 miles) and was always serviced per the BMW interval of the time, which was about 12,000km (7,500 miles) before BMW introduced fully-synthetic engine oils in 1998. BMW "Special Oil" was typically Semi-Synth and came around 94-96 from what I've read.

Yes, I know I should've moved the wiring harness better - but that wasn't dirty.

Also discovered more foibles from the P.O.'s mechanic... All coil boots are cracked, oil wells FULL of oil (Spark plugs done about 30K km or 15K miles ago). I'm surprised this wasn't noticeable at that point, as the VCG itself was beginning to visibly weep when I got the vehicle in late-2013.
Boots and plugs will be replaced next. I'm surprised the engine didn't have a misfire - and even ran so nice at all!

Some minor flaky sludge stuff in the valve cover around the oil filler (above where the covered cam is), which I will clean off so as it doesn't get in the engine. Will post photos of that tomorrow when I finish off.

Only snafu has been a washer falling into a spark plug well atop the spark plug, so will need some careful work with a magnet to get it out again.

[ben4bama]

How did gasket not come off in the VC?
Did they glue it to the head?

[B320i]

How did gasket not come off in the VC?
Did they glue it to the head?

I think the VCG for the earlier M50 engines is not plastic. It felt and sounded like a metal of some sort to me. There is not a rut along the seams of the cover where you put the VCG like on the later M52 engines.

Gasket was not glued on, but BMW specifies the use of RTV on the half-moon seals at the rear, and at the front of the head to prevent seepage. The gasket doesn't fit perfectly, it is just a tad loose.

Once I found a loose spot on the gasket - it came off very easily, although it was very brittle.

[spyderg0d]

Those gaskets harden up with time. Also.. Some valve covers mistakenly got painted on the mating surface. Over time the gasket seeps into the paint making a great seal until the paint flakes, causing a failure. But the hardness over time is what eventually will claim all vcg. Sad life of a rubber gasket.

[B320i]

Those gaskets harden up with time. Also.. Some valve covers mistakenly got painted on the mating surface. Over time the gasket seeps into the paint making a great seal until the paint flakes, causing a failure. But the hardness over time is what eventually will claim all vcg. Sad life of a rubber gasket.

I almost thought the mating surface was painted with that stupid "shiny metal" paint. Thankfully it was just the dull grey colour inside with no signs of damage or paint.

Will perhaps consider getting rid of the paint, although I assume it may just come off if and when I degrease the valve cover.