N54 Valve Cover Gasket

[TDWray]

I'll start by saying that I don't know a lot about BMWs, but I want to. I have always done most my own work on previous cars, though never anything major. I am a proud owner of a 2013 335is that I've always been too scared to work on myself, but I have a new confidence.

Long story short, I remember having a walnut blast and valve cover gasket replacement around 47k, done by dealer. I am now at 77k, and a shop told me that they noticed my valve cover gasket is leaking. I have always lost oil, before and after the 1st valve cover gasket replacement. I just add it when I need to and it's never giving me a problem. I've been told that n54s are known for consuming oil so didn't think much of it. Is this normal to have 2 VCG replacements before 80k though? How can i verify that what the shop said is true? I think I will tackle the job myself, it's not worth the 1100 they wanted to do it. But I also don't want to do it if that isn't the cause of the issue, after only 30k miles since the last one. Wanted to get some opinions from BMW owners that might have gone thru this before.. appreciate in advance.

[marvinstockman]

Two things:

1. If the valve cover is plastic, it may be cracked.

2. If you don't smell oil burning and oil isn't dripping on the ground, you don't have to fix it. Look on the passenger rear of the valve cover, which is where the oil will pool and drip on the exhaust. Sometimes dealers like to make work.