ironb

I am in the process of replacing my valve cover & upper timing case gaskets. I have removed all the necessary bolts and got the valve cover loose but still having issues getting the cover out. I have moved the coolant and power steering reservoir out the way. I also have loosened and moved the silver AC pipe as far down as possible. I am also being extra careful not to damage eccentric shaft sensor as I remove the cover. Does anyone have any tips of what else I could move to give me more space for removal. Thanks

Quarta2six

What seems to be in the way? Im planning on doing this DIY in the next couple of weeks. Some that Ive seen suggest taking out the air duct that sits on the firewall, from your pics seems like you still have it in.

ironb

It's catching on the silver AC pipe in the top left corner in the first picture. The air duct is not in the way. I am going to see if I move the AC pipe up just far enough to get the valve cover to clear the eccentric sensor and then pull it forward.

Quarta2six

Sorry for the late reply didnt have notification on...How'd you make out with this? That line can be pushed down pretty far without damage had to do it when I put in new plugs.

ironb

Finally got everything back together tonight. Probably the most tedious and longest project I have done on a car. The key to getting the valve cover out is removing the cabin duct work. There are seven screws to remove to get it off. Once you removed the duct work there is enough room to remove the valve cover without damaging the eccentric sensors.
I used the following post to help me:
E63 E64 N62 V8 Valve Cover Removal W/ Pics DIY - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Quarta2six

Glad to know that helped I have that DIY to use as a reference along with one other. Are there any other tips you have not outlined in the above DIY? Planing on tackling this is the next 2 weeks.

ironb

Overall it's a tough job but with a lot of patience and time it can be done by anyone with mechanical ability. Make sure you have a long reach magnet in case you drop any bolts in the small cervices. Also have some synthetic grease to lube all the seals as you reassemble, it will help as new o-rings are larger and make difficult to push sensor back in. When removing the valve cover I used the eccentric shaft sensor as my pivot point as I pulled the cover up first and then rotated it towards the center of the engine once I cleared the valve shaft. I can't stress it enough but removing the duct work on the firewall made a world of difference in giving enough clearance to grab the back of the valve cover to pull straight up. I also used a heat gun to soften up the seal to remove the cover. Good Luck!!!

Quarta2six

Understandable thats usually what I hear. Im pretty confident I can get it done. Ive managed most of the repairs on this car alone. Once I did the alternator bracket gasket I never took my car back to a mechanic, sometime I ask for second opinions but thats rare these forums usually have enough information.Appreciate the help let you know how this goes.

One more thing I see people mentioning using spacers to tighten some of the bolts one the cover did you have that problem?

ironb

I did not run into any issues to tighten the bolts.

Quarta2six

Hell of a job but I got it done.... Took me a weekend I did a side a day passenger side was easier than the driver side. I could cut down on the time if I did it again.