Just replaced the valve cover gasket.. OMG!

[alsteel]

Noticed a slight oil burning smell when I first picked up my car a few weeks ago. Pulled the engine cover and noticed a little oil pooling on the exhaust manifold heat shield = valve cover gasket.

So I went about replacing it today. Everything went fine but DAMN that old gasket was brittle and practically turned to plastic. It didn't just pull out, it broke out of the cover. I expected it to be a little brittle around the edges but this thing was almost completely hardened. I couldn't believe it wasn't leaking worse than it was. All the grommets were hard as bricks and the interior seals were so hard I had to snap them off. Anyone else have this experience with a VC gasket repair? My car has just over 100K.

Anywho, smell and leak is gone. Plus I got to do the oil/filter, plugs, and coil boots so the car is a lot happier now. :buttrock

[82bmw633]

Pretty common. Vanos seals are probably made out of the same material.:D

I've got the oil leak at the rear dripping onto the exhaust as well. Have all the parts but waiting to do the Vanos seal repair to r&r the valve cover gasket.

[Wagoooon]

The people I just bought mine from had the same deal. She complained of a burning oil smell,and they ended up replacing the valve cover gasket.