N54 Valve Cover Gasket Nightmare!

vincentimes.69 · 01-11-2018, 03:19 PM

I recently detected some oil leaking from the top of the engine and dripping on the exhaust manifold. Resulting in that nasty burnt oil smell.

Quickly concluded that it was due to a bad Valve Cover Gasket. Got the gasket online, followed the awesome tutorial on this forum and had it replaced. Still leaking

After talking to a mechanic, I suspected the cover itself to be bad (cracked?). I order a valve cover assembly from eBay, removed everything again (fuel lines, tons of wires, etc.) to finally realize, after the brand new Valve Cover was installed, that the PCV valve was missing. Apparently a mistake from the seller.

I'm good for a THIRD try!!!! I'll know the procedure by heart by then.
I'm tired. Please send encouragements my way.

#donttouchitnexttime #thatswhatyouget #ideservebetter

Mybimmer · 01-12-2018, 02:15 AM

You don't need to remove valve cover to get to the PCV.

makethiscardriveable · 01-12-2018, 03:47 PM

That valve cover isnt cheap, damn that sucks.

Havocsteve · 01-13-2018, 11:54 AM

The PCV valve is built into the valve cover. If you bought one without the PCV valve attached, I don't know what to tell you. The valve cover costs around $800 CAD here. So I would be livid if it showed up without one build into the valve cover.

Mybimmer · 01-13-2018, 09:01 PM

The PCV is removable. Unscrew the cap pull out the PCV in the old cover and install into the new cover. I'd recommend you buy a replacement PCV valve from RB turbos.

Havocsteve · 01-15-2018, 06:45 PM

Is this a N54 or N55? As per the N55 valve cover, in order to replace the PCV valve, you must cut the valve cover in certain sections, or just buy a new valve cover. Maybe the N54 is different. I've already looked into the PCV valve replacement for my N55, so unless BMW themselves along with other retailers are all lying and the part manufacture that sells the kit to replace the seals is lying, not sure where this magical PCV valve is then.

Mybimmer · 01-17-2018, 05:14 AM

The thread is titled N54 valve cover nightmare. N54 PCV is 100% replaceable. BMW does not sell the new part, but other vendors do.

Video of how it's done

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK-t4dsvAow&t=156s

01-11-2018, 03:19 PM	#1
vincentimes.69 New Member 7 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2008 135i - convertible Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	N54 Valve Cover Gasket Nightmare! I recently detected some oil leaking from the top of the engine and dripping on the exhaust manifold. Resulting in that nasty burnt oil smell. Quickly concluded that it was due to a bad Valve Cover Gasket. Got the gasket online, followed the awesome tutorial on this forum and had it replaced. Still leaking After talking to a mechanic, I suspected the cover itself to be bad (cracked?). I order a valve cover assembly from eBay, removed everything again (fuel lines, tons of wires, etc.) to finally realize, after the brand new Valve Cover was installed, that the PCV valve was missing. Apparently a mistake from the seller. I'm good for a THIRD try!!!! I'll know the procedure by heart by then. I'm tired. Please send encouragements my way. #donttouchitnexttime #thatswhatyouget #ideservebetter
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01-12-2018, 02:15 AM	#2
Mybimmer Private 20 Rep 85 Posts Drives: F20 118d & E82 135i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Emerald VIC, Australia iTrader: (0)	You don't need to remove valve cover to get to the PCV.
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01-12-2018, 03:47 PM	#3
makethiscardriveable Private 39 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: boston iTrader: (0)	That valve cover isnt cheap, damn that sucks.
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01-13-2018, 11:54 AM	#4
Havocsteve Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	The PCV valve is built into the valve cover. If you bought one without the PCV valve attached, I don't know what to tell you. The valve cover costs around $800 CAD here. So I would be livid if it showed up without one build into the valve cover.
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01-13-2018, 09:01 PM	#5
Mybimmer Private 20 Rep 85 Posts Drives: F20 118d & E82 135i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Emerald VIC, Australia iTrader: (0)	The PCV is removable. Unscrew the cap pull out the PCV in the old cover and install into the new cover. I'd recommend you buy a replacement PCV valve from RB turbos.
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01-15-2018, 06:45 PM	#6
Havocsteve Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Is this a N54 or N55? As per the N55 valve cover, in order to replace the PCV valve, you must cut the valve cover in certain sections, or just buy a new valve cover. Maybe the N54 is different. I've already looked into the PCV valve replacement for my N55, so unless BMW themselves along with other retailers are all lying and the part manufacture that sells the kit to replace the seals is lying, not sure where this magical PCV valve is then.
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01-17-2018, 05:14 AM	#7
Mybimmer Private 20 Rep 85 Posts Drives: F20 118d & E82 135i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Emerald VIC, Australia iTrader: (0)	The thread is titled N54 valve cover nightmare. N54 PCV is 100% replaceable. BMW does not sell the new part, but other vendors do. Video of how it's done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK-t4dsvAow&t=156s
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