Problems with the valve cover cracking?

fun2drv · 02-17-2015, 07:47 PM

Took my '10 135i with 67K miles to the dealer today for an oil leak. They found a crack in the valve cover.

Anyone else having this issue? I think that it is pretty early in this engine life to have this issue...

Thanks!

e36addict · 02-17-2015, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fun2drv

Took my '10 135i with 67K miles to the dealer today for an oil leak. They found a crack in the valve cover.

Anyone else having this issue? I think that it is pretty early in this engine life to have this issue...

Thanks!

I've seen a few cracked N54 valve covers.. It's always very random and odd. I know it was also an issue on the old M54 motors.. plastic will be plastic..

DougiesGoinDeep · 02-17-2015, 08:59 PM

Happened on my 2010 with around 30k. If you look around the forum here you will find we are not alone.

MikesBMW · 02-17-2015, 09:13 PM

My N54 '07 335i had a cracked one at 107k miles

Dackelone · 02-18-2015, 08:36 AM

Cracked valve covers are common. Here are two pics from my 1er collection...

Name: valve cover cracked and leaking oilI800tLah.jpg
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Name: valve cover cracked and leaking oilI800tLah.jpg
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Name: valve cover with crack.jpg
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mr.fabulous · 02-18-2015, 08:51 AM

Is that warranty-able?

fun2drv · 02-19-2015, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Is that warranty-able?

Car is way past the warranty period.

Dealer wants $1600 for the repair. Quoting 10 hrs of labor...

Dackelone · 02-19-2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Is that warranty-able?

Yes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fun2drv

Car is way past the warranty period.

Dealer wants $1600 for the repair. Quoting 10 hrs of labor...

A cracked valve cover should be covered under the federal emission warranty. Because a leaking valve cover will make your engine idle rough and throw out higher hydrocarbons at the exhaust & in the DME.

10 hours is a crazy price. Its more like a two hour job. A good shop should not charge more than two or three hours. Shop around.

I would also replace the car's spark plugs while in there and maybe the coil packs.

mr.fabulous · 02-19-2015, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Yes!

A cracked valve cover should be covered under the federal emission warranty. Because a leaking valve cover will make your engine idle rough and throw out higher hydrocarbons at the exhaust & in the DME.

How would a guy go about invoking that?

Dackelone · 02-19-2015, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

How would a guy go about invoking that?

Get a failed state emission certificate and then hand THAT to your dealer. Most dealers don't even know that they are on the hook for these types of repairs under the federal emission warranty. You will have to pay for the state emission certificate though.

Also... check IF your car is a SULEV or ULEV specs. Those cars have an even longer emission warranty. I think up to 10 years/100K miles. There should be a sticker under your hood stating what type of emissions your car conforms too.

mr.fabulous · 02-19-2015, 08:12 AM

What if a guy lives where there are no State emissions requirements or testing?

Dackelone · 02-19-2015, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

What if a guy lives where there are no State emissions requirements or testing?

Then I guess you best ask very nicely IF your dealer will make the repair for free.

Hops128i · 02-19-2015, 09:37 AM

should you replace the gasket too while you're there?

6MT_Addict · 02-19-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hops128i

should you replace the gasket too while you're there?

Wouldn't hurt. You could also replace the oil filter housing gasket at the same time, they have a history of leaking on the N series engines.

e36addict · 02-19-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hops128i

should you replace the gasket too while you're there?

New valve covers come with a new gasket already installed.

And 10hrs is insane. I believe we charge 4.5hrs.

Silenus · 02-21-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Get a failed state emission certificate and then hand THAT to your dealer. Most dealers don't even know that they are on the hook for these types of repairs under the federal emission warranty. You will have to pay for the state emission certificate though.

The general Federal Emissions Warranty is 2 years, or 24,000 miles and that would cover this defect. The extended warranty, which is 8 years and 80,000 miles, covers catalytic converters and engine electronics. He is out of luck.

Quote:

Also... check IF your car is a SULEV or ULEV specs. Those cars have an even longer emission warranty. I think up to 10 years/100K miles. There should be a sticker under your hood stating what type of emissions your car conforms too.

Valuable information, but the 135i qualifies for neither of these.

Silenus · 02-21-2015, 01:11 PM

Oh, and the correct labor time is around 7 hours. What a crook. I would be offended.

02-17-2015, 07:47 PM	#1
fun2drv Lieutenant 262 Rep 561 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Columbia, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M5 [10.00] 2023 BMW M5 [0.00]	Problems with the valve cover cracking? Took my '10 135i with 67K miles to the dealer today for an oil leak. They found a crack in the valve cover. Anyone else having this issue? I think that it is pretty early in this engine life to have this issue... Thanks!
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02-17-2015, 08:59 PM	#3
DougiesGoinDeep Enlisted Member 6 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 530i Join Date: May 2008 Location: boston iTrader: (0)	Happened on my 2010 with around 30k. If you look around the forum here you will find we are not alone.
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02-17-2015, 09:13 PM	#4
MikesBMW Banned 318 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 BMW X1 [0.00]	My N54 '07 335i had a cracked one at 107k miles
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02-18-2015, 08:36 AM	#5
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Cracked valve covers are common. Here are two pics from my 1er collection... __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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02-18-2015, 08:51 AM	#6
mr.fabulous Captain 211 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Is that warranty-able?
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02-19-2015, 08:12 AM	#11
mr.fabulous Captain 211 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	What if a guy lives where there are no State emissions requirements or testing?
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02-19-2015, 09:37 AM	#13
Hops128i Captain 71 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2010 128i, manual, sport pkg Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0)	should you replace the gasket too while you're there? __________________ 2010 128i manual, sport package, performance exhaust, Vorshlag camber plates, Bilstein B6 struts/shocks, 245/40/17 ZIII square on et 40 with rolled rear fenders.
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02-21-2015, 01:11 PM	#17
Silenus Second Lieutenant 98 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Oh, and the correct labor time is around 7 hours. What a crook. I would be offended.
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