So I replaced my leaking vcg before doing an autocross...during the event I see smoke from oil dripping on the headers. The leak seems to be around the back. RTV was placed on the half moon sections and vanos area of the head.
Are the S52 valve covers known to fail or develop cracks?
Would excessive blow-by cause this?
Setup:
VF supercharger 6-7psi
OEM CCV has been deleted with the port for the dipstick is plugged
Crankcase vented to atmosphere
-Phil
They can warp. See if its flat.
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1989 535i - sold
1999 M3 Tiag/Dove - sold
1998 M3 Turbo Arctic/black - current
2004 Built motor TiAg/Black - Sold
2008 E61 19T Turbo-Wagon - current
2011 E82 135i - S85 Swap - current
1998 M3 Cosmos S54 swapped Sedan - current
1998 Turbo: PTE6870 | 1.15 ar | Hp Cover, Custom Divided T4 bottom-mount, 3.5" SS exhaust, Dual Turbosmart Compgates, Turbosmart Raceport BOV, 3.5" Treadstone Intercooler, 3.5" Vibrant resonator and muffler, Arp 2k Headstuds | Arp 2k Main studs | 87mm Je pistons | Eagle rods | 9.2:1 static compression, Ces 87mm cutring, Custom solid rear subframe bushings, Akg 85d diff bushings, 4 clutch 3.15 diff, , Poly engine mounts, UUC trans mounts W/ enforcers, 22RPD OBD2 Stock ECU id1700 E85 tune, 22RPD Big power Transmission swap w/ GS6-53
I've basically come to the conclusion that they just all leak.
Last year I swapped to an OBD 1 cover in the attempt to avoid VC leaks. Doesn't help, it leaks in the same spot which for me is between the last 3 VC nuts on the bottom from the back.
Not sure why, maybe it's the proximity of the runner/wg in my case but nothing I've tried works... New gaskets, rubber doughnuts, different VC, gasket maker, even a different head (not due to the leaks). It seems like a new gasket holds for about 2-3 months before it starts to seep.
Very annoying...
That case, more than likely it's warped.
I'll look to swapping it out for a new one. Are there any aftermarket, or should I stick to OEM.
Good to know. I can live with a little oil burning. Though, I'm getting tired of venting to atmosphere. I'm planning to run the pipe directly to the exhaust.
Last edited by Z-Thrizzle; 04-09-2018 at 02:47 PM.
-Phil
Probably got a nice ticking noise from exhaust leaks.
Probably is warped. I had an S52 VC and set it on the cylinder head with no seal, and realized that there was 3/8" gap if I held one corner flat!!! Grabbed one from the local yard, wallah perfectly flat. Sometimes I wish it was an alloy...
like IR M5 said, exhaust leak.
Since then I've cleaned and replaced the nuts I could remove with new ones (again) and it's been ok... I rechecked some of them and they seem to be remaining tight for now but I certainly don't let it leak for as long as I did originally when I too thought "ahh it's just a little oil burning smell"
My last one came loose same place and it turned out that the bolt wouldn't catch into the head itself, which required a timesert. If you just replaced the gasket (not Victor Reinz, right?) and applied RTV at the half moons, AND torque the bolts to gutentight, it shouldn't leak. That leaves the valve cover itself or your head.
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
Ive had no vcg issues with obd1 cover and elring gaskets, victor reinz horrible tho.
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