'01 740i shorty new valve cover

[daveycrocket]

I started smelling raw fuel last week and found the leak just above passenger side catalytic converter toward the rear of the engine bay.

I sent the car to my Indy since I have no time to deal with car repair on my own now.

This is a very reputable Indy that I trust.

I was surprised be advised my valve covers were cracked and not making good seal this causing oil to leak and land in the cats.

I approved ordering new valve covers just to get the work done and get me out of the rental car.

The car can be picked up tomorrow but curious if anyone has had their valve covers crack?

I was told they'll cover the labor but I'll cover parts costs.

This is the Indy who performed my timing guide replacement and I've been incredibly happy with their work.


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[psjr]

Just a couple weeks ago I sold someone a valve cover because they had one crack, but they said it was because they accidentally hit it really hard while doing some other work.

That said, I would be fairly surprised to hear of them cracking on their own.

[luauboy]

Just a couple weeks ago I sold someone a valve cover because they had one crack, but they said it was because they accidentally hit it really hard while doing some other work.

That said, I would be fairly surprised to hear of them cracking on their own.

Often times the valve covers will crack around the lip (contact edge with the head)

The usual cause is over torquing the bolts.

Another cause can be mishandling of the covers by a shop - if you've elected to have them powder coated and/or painted.

"Experience is the mother of invention"




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[daveycrocket]

So brand new valve cover from BMW are silver? I thought they were gold?


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[daveycrocket]

So brand new valve cover from BMW are silver? I thought they were gold?


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I know, I know....it's dirty under there.

Good detail coming up soon.



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[psjr]

Yep, they just turn gold from heat and whatnot.

[BillConn]

Yep,
Silver, and also no longer made out of magnesium anymore. They are now made from cast aluminum. Expensive as all hell too. My wallet is not deep enough so I will have to simply refinish a used pair.
The magnesium base material is what causes the coating to fail on all of them. I also suspect the heavy pitting that occurs due to the failed coating and/or corrosion as a result of the failed coating, is what leads to the high leakage rate of the valve covers.

[daveycrocket]

Im glad the material was changed. I joking said to my Indy " I'll see you in six months when they leak again"!

However I've re coated a pair before in my 540i and the coat wasn't too far off what I paid for these at $438 each.

Dunno if it will keep oil where it supposed to stay I'll feel good about spending the money.

I love this car and hole to keep it in top condition.


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[BillConn]

Im glad the material was changed. I joking said to my Indy " I'll see you in six months when they leak again"!

However I've re coated a pair before in my 540i and the coat wasn't too far off what I paid for these at $438 each.

Dunno if it will keep oil where it supposed to stay I'll feel good about spending the money.

I love this car and hole to keep it in top condition.

I have yet to call around the Portland area to find a powder coater willing to properly handle the magnesium valve covers. The appropriate process involves a long heat soak before the actual coating to precipitate all oils out of the base material.

I suspect your fresh aluminum valve covers should last quite some time before leaking. I, personally picked up some used VC's at the Pick-N-Pull for $20 and will get them re-coated.... The new BMW parts for the non-vanos M62 are several hundred dollars MORE EACH than the M62TU versions these days.... Something like $750/per... so $1500 for new VC's... no way ;-)

[daveycrocket]

I have yet to call around the Portland area to find a powder coater willing to properly handle the magnesium valve covers. The appropriate process involves a long heat soak before the actual coating to precipitate all oils out of the base material.

I suspect your fresh aluminum valve covers should last quite some time before leaking. I, personally picked up some used VC's at the Pick-N-Pull for $20 and will get them re-coated.... The new BMW parts for the non-vanos M62 are several hundred dollars MORE EACH than the M62TU versions these days.... Something like $750/per... so $1500 for new VC's... no way ;-)

If I recall correctly I took my 540 covers to Top Coat Pro in Tigard. They knew exactly what I had and wanted them longer than expected to keep heat lower but longer.

Those covers didn't even fade for the three years I had the car after that.

I'd love to see them now and how they're holding up.


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[tjsven]

Used spray paint stripper to clean the old finish off & flat black engine paint all available from the Home Depot for pocket change in 2014. Still looking good today.


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[ColtonBH]

I know, I know....it's dirty under there.

Good detail coming up soon.



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That is the only picture of a new valve cover I think I've ever seen. It's beautiful

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[luauboy]

That is the only picture of a new valve cover I think I've ever seen. It's beautiful

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Yeah - I replaced my factory magnesium covers with the new aluminum covers a couple years ago - and they are nice !!


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[Frankie]

Good to hear that the new covers are not magnesium anymore. My covers are slowly disintegrating and need to be replaced soon.

[luauboy]

Good to hear that the new covers are not magnesium anymore. My covers are slowly disintegrating and need to be replaced soon.

You can expect to pay around $600/cover incl the gasket kit ... I replaced all the nuts / bolts at the same time - and checked the quality of all threads - cleaning / retapping as needed ... check the studs to make sure they’re tight - replace the coil covers if they are original - and check the galley for oil ... good idea to check the plugs / coils while you’re in there ...


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[joshhas99probs]

If I recall correctly I took my 540 covers to Top Coat Pro in Tigard. They knew exactly what I had and wanted them longer than expected to keep heat lower but longer.

Those covers didn't even fade for the three years I had the car after that.

I'd love to see them now and how they're holding up.


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I've used them for powder coating as well with good results

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