Is my valve cover gasket leaking? Ignition coil change?

[Bimmersaurus]

I was about to change the spark plugs today when I noticed oil around the ignition coils. I took a spark plug out and didn't see any oil on the plug. Attached pictures in case I missed something.

Does oil around the ignition coils means that the valve cover gasket is leaking or is it something else?

Also, is there a way to tell if I need to change my ignition coils or not? With the exception of failing smog, car seems to run fine.

IMG_0965.jpgIMG_9553.jpgIMG_8020.jpgIMG_8542.jpg

[alang1990]

It is a good thing that you posted those pictures. Initially it sounded like a valve cover gasket issue.

If you had that there would be oil within the plug Wells, or out the sides of your valve cover flowing down the cylinder head. You don't have that.

What you have is a crack in the valve cover itself. As the engine runs, this crack expands slightly, oil thins down sligtky, and makes its way through the crack and into the areas that you show in your photos.

There are two ways to fix this. First, remove the coils when hot, clean the valve cover area where it leaks, then run the engine without the ground straps connected to the ignition coils. Look carefully to see if you can spot oil oozing out. If you can't, run the engine when hot for 14 minutes, then remove the coils and uae a bright flashlight ina dark place and eyeball. Try to find the crack. If that fails, do a smoke test with a some day YouTube kit that Costa ten pounds to make. See if the smoke escapes through the offending crack.

Once you find the crack, clean that area and coat with epoxy or flex seal paint (recommended because it stretches with heat). That's all you need and you're done.

The crack is likely close to a stud or a bolt hole - overtorquing can do this especially on a plastic valve cover.

The other solution is to get another valve cover. Check it thoroughly for crack from the inside before buying it.

[shogun]

Moved to M3 forum

[ross1]

It's more likely to be a leaking grommet, perhaps the one shown with the ground strap which looks wet.
I'd change the gasket and all the grommets, you can inspect for cracks then, either way you'll need the gasket.

[Bimmersaurus]

Thanks for the response. Can you clarify two things for me please?

What would be purpose of running the engine without the ground straps or do you mean running the engine without any of the ignition coils bolted? (to clarify, the ground straps is the wire for grounding right? Is it the red wire between the 2nd and 3rd ignition coil [counting from the front of the car and working backwards?).

Also, can you let me know what you mean by smoke test? I think you had an autocorrect and it just says some day Youtube kit.

[Bimmersaurus]

It's more likely to be a leaking grommet, perhaps the one shown with the ground strap which looks wet.
I'd change the gasket and all the grommets, you can inspect for cracks then, either way you'll need the gasket.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that.

[shogun]

usually the grommet/seal is the leaking problem, # 9 11121437395 Rubber seal http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...49#11120034108

google for smoke test E36 and you find a lot like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW9J3CmtiJg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np_duzsaZxI

[MauiM3Mania]

Moved to M3 forum

Moved from 1994 - 1999 Euro M3 (E36) to 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36).

[Bimmersaurus]

Thanks! Going to try to tackle this asap once the parts come.

[scooper]

cleaning out those holes is a pain in the ass. I just did this job last week. use some brake cleaner with plugs in place to de-grease. Finally I used some masking tape to remove the bigger particles...Not fun.

[TostitoBandito]

You know what the most fun part of the valve cover job is? When the gasket is so old that it's the consistency of glass and you have to pry/break pieces off from around the studs where it's stuck. Fishing wayward chunks of crystallized gasket out of the valvetrain is a fun way to spend an afternoon.