N54 335i- Valve cover- missing bolt causes oil gush/leak everywhere??

[jaxmemo]

Hello all,

Just replacement my valve cover gasket. In the process I broke a bolt. I removed the bolt and put everything back together. Additionally I replaced the oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket.

With the missing one missing valve cover bolt at the front of the engine, I started the engine to see if there was any oil leaking before washing the engine.

Not thinking what will happen next (considering there are over 30 screws), I heard a hissing noise, within the 30-45 secs I had the car running, I lost roughy a quart of oil gushing from front of the engine.

No oil anywhere around the valve cover except for where the bolt is missing. Is it normal for that much oil to leak within that short period of time or did I possibly damage some oil line between the valve and radiator?

[jclausen]

Well sure the bolt needs to be there, but look around the valve cover edge to make sure the gasket is not pinched, because when you put the valve cover on with the new gasket and don't check it the gasket could have come out of the groove it sits in

[jaxmemo]

I hope it's not pinched. The gasket seems lined up well against the valve cover. Doesn't look pinched. I wonder if there is high pressure within the valve that causes the gush/leak. I'll find out once I install the missing screw.

[cochise325]

There is a lot of oil pressure. So if there is an opening, that pressure will find its way out.

[jaxmemo]

Thanks for the respond. That's what I was hoping to hear. The dealer should have the screw in stock by noon, I'll update this post once I figure out if it was the missing bolt.

Looking at the post (see link below) if the cold start Oil pressure PSI is almost 70psi and considering the new gasket is not glued down or sealed, it makes sense. Keeping my fingers crossed.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581081

[jaxmemo]

Solved: it turned out that the oil cooler hose had a missing o-ring they must have fell during uninstall. New I-ring fixed the leaking issue.

[cochise325]

Excellent!