2002 BMW 325ci Coupe e46

[IndyCarSerious]

Question-I need to replace my leaky valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket. What brand to you recommend besides OEM? Should I use a sealant on the gasket, to make sure the gasket stays seated, and hopefully last longer? And what do you think a reasonable price is to have this done? Thank you

[watuszak]

Question-I need to replace my leaky valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket. What brand to you recommend besides OEM? Should I use a sealant on the gasket, to make sure the gasket stays seated, and hopefully last longer? And what do you think a reasonable price is to have this done? Thank you

Victor reinz is a good brand, I’ve never done the oil pan gasket but I know for the valve cover gaskets you’ll hear both yes and no depending on who you ask about rtv sealant or not, I did not use any on my valve cover and torque to correct specs and don’t have any leaks. If it was me I would do it myself as taking a bmw to any shop is going to cost and arm or leg in labor, so maybe buy a few tools and expand your mechanical skills and learn your car a little bit better, but that’s just me.
Good luck!


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[curry]

If you don’t have a strut brace it’s an easy job. Bentley book says to use sealer on the places that have seams and on the rounded parts of the valve cover gasket.

[Jackson42]

Elring Klinger makes good gaskets. Factory workshop manual specifies sealant around the edges of the half-moon seals. I highly recommend Loctite 38364.

[randy72877]

Sealant on the half circles at the back and also where the vanos unit meets the head at the front. Also replace the 15 seals under the fasteners. They are needed for proper sealing of the new gasket and usually sold separately

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[legoman67]

make sure you rule out the oil filter housing gasket before you dive into the oil pan. Serious pan leaks are quite rare, and are frequently misdiagnosed when all it was was the oil filter housing.

[IndyCarSerious]

Thanks-I have both to replace both gaskets, plus spark plugs, and oil. Oh and new oil sensor. My mechanic is charging $975.00 cash.

[IndyCarSerious]

Thanks. I have to have the bottom steam cleaned first before taking it in. Because of oil on bits and pieces. I know for a fact the valve cover gasket is leaking

[IndyCarSerious]

Thank you

[IndyCarSerious]

Thank you everyone. Lots of great help- Interesting I will be taking my car into BMW for recall on Tuesday. This is prior to having this work done. So it will be interesting what they would charge me? I'm having both gaskets, plus spark plugs, and oil replaced. Oh and new oil pan sensor. My mechanic is charging $975.00 cash. Although I bought an aftermarket sensor for $12-locally.

[IndyCarSerious]

I was just at the BMW dealership for the recall they just had. And of course I got the 32 point inspection. I already knew things that needed done. Valve, and pan gaskets replaced. Spark plugs, and oil. I get the recommendation back, and it states "Replace valve cover gasket $2000.00" I asked the service vip WTF? he said it seemed a bit high. I asked, so what do your mechanics make now? $189.00 an hour he replied. I said my attorney cost that. With a straight face he replied "Well the BMW dealership in Beverly Hills charges $205.00 an hour. LMAO Good luck. My mechanic is changing both gaskets, oil of course, 6 new sparkplugs, and my oil level sender for $975.00. I got my own sender, so even that price will be going down. By the way peeps. If you have a leak under there. It needs to be cleaned ASAP. So the rubber bits don't get wrecked. So another $75.00 for a underneath engine carriage cleaning. Bugger me. But I have to! Hope that helps?