128i n52 Valve cover removal trouble

JordN1 · 06-15-2018, 06:48 PM

So long story short I bought the cheapest 128i in the US with the plan to fix it all up myself. Valve cover was leaking according to dealer I bought it from and I’m to the point where all I have to do now is remove the valve cover from the car (checked 5x that all bolts loosened, everything out of the way, and it physically lifts up until a point). For the love of god it will not come off. It’s getting caught on a metal line in the back left corner I’m assuming is a brake line. It doesn’t look like I can move the line out of the way and I’ve tried every angle possible and forced it in every direction possible. The worst part is that the part of the vc that’s getting caught is for a bolt hole that’s only good for holding on the engine cover. I’m on hour 5 of trying to get this off and I tried for 4 hours yesterday with another person. Every diy video online makes it look so easy and they do it in like a few minutes of prying off the vc. Also what pisses me off is the line is in an L shape routed above the vc and if it were going below it I wouldn’t have this problem whatsoever. This is my last hope to do it myself anyone have anything?

Dackelone · 06-15-2018, 06:59 PM

Take a look at these threads...

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317

DIY N52 Valve Cover Gasket replacement
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=990348

and...

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/n51-n52n-va...et-replacement

N52 Valve Cover Gasket replacement (VCG) Tips & Tricks
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484438

Need help DIY replace valve cover gasket
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1350028

https://www.google.de/search?sa=X&rl...w=1093&bih=510

JordN1 · 06-15-2018, 08:08 PM

Finally got it! That L shaped line I just held forced down where it was blocking the vc and also at another point by the firewall. Wiggled it around and now it’s out finally. I was almost afraid to break the line bc I really had to force mine into a spot to get the vc out. Just gotta clean it off and reinstall with gaskets. Hope I don’t break anything else...

Uytre1234565 · 07-10-2018, 01:08 PM

Anyone know what is causing this noise in the video?

Posting here cause I can’t make threads thanks

NorthernDancer · 07-10-2018, 04:09 PM

Take a piece of vinyl hose, about 4 feet long and stick one end in your ear. Move the other end around the engine compartment to try and localize the noise. Be very careful around the fan.

juld0zer · 07-12-2018, 05:48 AM

The back corner is a bastard. Going back on is equally fun but just be careful of the stuff inside to the rocker cover in case anything breaks off accidentally.
Also go around with a small dentist mirror to make sure the seal did not drop out or get pinched anywhere, before you tighten the bolts

goorackerelite · 09-03-2022, 08:31 PM

I'm going through the same thing right now. That metal line in the back left corner is insane.

06-15-2018, 06:48 PM	#1
JordN1 Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i coupe Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	128i n52 Valve cover removal trouble So long story short I bought the cheapest 128i in the US with the plan to fix it all up myself. Valve cover was leaking according to dealer I bought it from and I’m to the point where all I have to do now is remove the valve cover from the car (checked 5x that all bolts loosened, everything out of the way, and it physically lifts up until a point). For the love of god it will not come off. It’s getting caught on a metal line in the back left corner I’m assuming is a brake line. It doesn’t look like I can move the line out of the way and I’ve tried every angle possible and forced it in every direction possible. The worst part is that the part of the vc that’s getting caught is for a bolt hole that’s only good for holding on the engine cover. I’m on hour 5 of trying to get this off and I tried for 4 hours yesterday with another person. Every diy video online makes it look so easy and they do it in like a few minutes of prying off the vc. Also what pisses me off is the line is in an L shape routed above the vc and if it were going below it I wouldn’t have this problem whatsoever. This is my last hope to do it myself anyone have anything?
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06-15-2018, 06:59 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Take a look at these threads... https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317 DIY N52 Valve Cover Gasket replacement http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=990348 and... https://blog.fcpeuro.com/n51-n52n-va...et-replacement N52 Valve Cover Gasket replacement (VCG) Tips & Tricks https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484438 Need help DIY replace valve cover gasket http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1350028 https://www.google.de/search?sa=X&rl...w=1093&bih=510 __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-15-2018, 08:08 PM	#3
JordN1 Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i coupe Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Finally got it! That L shaped line I just held forced down where it was blocking the vc and also at another point by the firewall. Wiggled it around and now it’s out finally. I was almost afraid to break the line bc I really had to force mine into a spot to get the vc out. Just gotta clean it off and reinstall with gaskets. Hope I don’t break anything else...
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07-10-2018, 01:08 PM	#4
Uytre1234565 New Member 7 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 1 series that never works Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Anyone know what is causing this noise in the video? Posting here cause I can’t make threads thanks
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07-10-2018, 04:09 PM	#5
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	Take a piece of vinyl hose, about 4 feet long and stick one end in your ear. Move the other end around the engine compartment to try and localize the noise. Be very careful around the fan.
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07-12-2018, 05:48 AM	#6
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	The back corner is a bastard. Going back on is equally fun but just be careful of the stuff inside to the rocker cover in case anything breaks off accidentally. Also go around with a small dentist mirror to make sure the seal did not drop out or get pinched anywhere, before you tighten the bolts
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09-03-2022, 08:31 PM	#7
goorackerelite New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Sedona, A iTrader: (0)	I'm going through the same thing right now. That metal line in the back left corner is insane.
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