Oil leak from valve cover on '06 E60
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Fontana, Ca
I guess after my first question, not many of us have tried to replace the valve cover gasket from an I6 3.0 engine. I have done this job in some other cars that are history now such a '95 VW Jetta, '02 Chevy Silverado. Now it is the time to take care of my bleeding baby.
By the way, since I did not get any info in this forum, I checked out in a BMW specialist shop about the cost of replacing the gasket. I was not surprised that they charge 850 bucks to do the job.
Well needless to say that I haven't found the way to reproduce the money that quick; so I have decided to grab the bull by the horns and DIM (myself). So the first thing I have to do is get the parts and find the critical information about the torque to apply to the new bolts. So I will contact my friends of Bavauto to order the parts, meantime I know that once the original bolts are removed; they need to be replaced. So the key here is to find the torque specs.
I will take pics of this endevour so someone else could benefit. You guys have put some much good stuff that I have learned great things. Once I am ready I will come back and keep you posted.
If any one has the info (torque specs) I am looking for, please forward it to me.
By the way, since I did not get any info in this forum, I checked out in a BMW specialist shop about the cost of replacing the gasket. I was not surprised that they charge 850 bucks to do the job.
Well needless to say that I haven't found the way to reproduce the money that quick; so I have decided to grab the bull by the horns and DIM (myself). So the first thing I have to do is get the parts and find the critical information about the torque to apply to the new bolts. So I will contact my friends of Bavauto to order the parts, meantime I know that once the original bolts are removed; they need to be replaced. So the key here is to find the torque specs.I will take pics of this endevour so someone else could benefit. You guys have put some much good stuff that I have learned great things. Once I am ready I will come back and keep you posted.
If any one has the info (torque specs) I am looking for, please forward it to me.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Fontana, Ca
Just about to order the parts a friend (mechanic) of mine suggested to use the oil engine stop leak bottle that sells on any parts store. This chemical supposed to refresh the gaskets that with time they tend to dry and cause the leaks. Well I have decided to change the gasket any way so why not? 
I do not loose nothing by trying that.
I poured the bottle yesterday, cleaned the oil mess around the leak; now just waiting to see if it works. Acording with my friend it will take few hundred miles before you see the change. (Fingers crossed).
I do not loose nothing by trying that.I poured the bottle yesterday, cleaned the oil mess around the leak; now just waiting to see if it works. Acording with my friend it will take few hundred miles before you see the change. (Fingers crossed).
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
Originally Posted by JMM525i' post='770339' date='Jan 17 2009, 03:16 PM
Just about to order the parts a friend (mechanic) of mine suggested to use the oil engine stop leak bottle that sells on any parts store. This chemical supposed to refresh the gaskets that with time they tend to dry and cause the leaks. Well I have decided to change the gasket any way so why not? I do not loose nothing by trying that.
I poured the bottle yesterday, cleaned the oil mess around the leak; now just waiting to see if it works. Acording with my friend it will take few hundred miles before you see the change. (Fingers crossed).
I do not loose nothing by trying that.I poured the bottle yesterday, cleaned the oil mess around the leak; now just waiting to see if it works. Acording with my friend it will take few hundred miles before you see the change. (Fingers crossed).
-! :thumbsdown:
Those chemicals generally act to swell rubber and organic gasket materials ... that could harm perfectly good seals in your engine. If I had a ratty engine I'd give it a shot but NOT a BMW in otherwise good condition. Others contain solids that could block small oil passages. I say don't do it!
I recommend an immediate oil change ... then get that gasket replaced! $850 to R&R a valve cover gasket seems a bit rich for this 6cyl engine but there are lots of top end things that need removing and re installation.
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From: Fontana, Ca
Well couple weeks have past and few things more to add to this topic. First after added the additive I was tempted to do what Luigi524ttd suggested but I forgot to follow up, anyway nothing happened except that the leak became smaller, but it still leaks! Now I am going to replace the valve cover gasket. First thing to do was to find out what is the torque spec for the bolts, needless to said that after I called the dealer they did not want to share that information 
. After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done. 
. After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done.
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From: East Bay, CA
Originally Posted by JMM525i' post='790476' date='Feb 11 2009, 10:51 AM
Well couple weeks have past and few things more to add to this topic. First after added the additive I was tempted to do what Luigi524ttd suggested but I forgot to follow up, anyway nothing happened except that the leak became smaller, but it still leaks! Now I am going to replace the valve cover gasket. First thing to do was to find out what is the torque spec for the bolts, needless to said that after I called the dealer they did not want to share that information . After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done.
. After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done. thanks
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From: NYC
i just got a bloody oil leak from the valve gasket aswell local repair shop said $700 the leak isnt too bad. im lucky that i have a 3rd party warranty on my engine, engine components, and tranny. my car will go under the knife within the next week and a half
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
Originally Posted by JMM525i' post='790476' date='Feb 11 2009, 01:51 PM
Well couple weeks have past and few things more to add to this topic. First after added the additive I was tempted to do what Luigi524ttd suggested but I forgot to follow up, anyway nothing happened except that the leak became smaller, but it still leaks! Now I am going to replace the valve cover gasket. First thing to do was to find out what is the torque spec for the bolts, needless to said that after I called the dealer they did not want to share that information . After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done.
. After digging up a little bit on google I found out that the the bolts are set at 7.3 ft-lbs or 85 in-lbs. So I have ordered from Bavauto yesterday the gaskets set, the bolts set, and taking the opportunity that the area is available I did ordered the plugs gaskets as well as a set of new spark plugs. My baby has 72K miles. I have purchased a torque wrench from Sears. The next step is wait for the parts to start the job. The pics will be posted when I get the job done.
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From: Fontana, Ca
Good luck Mike.
Thanks for the input Luigi, you got a good point.
So far I'm still waiting for the parts from Bavauto. I got everything else for the surgery; specs, torque wrench, new iridium spark plugs, ah! and the camera!. I will get the oil/filter meanwhile.
Thanks for the input Luigi, you got a good point.
So far I'm still waiting for the parts from Bavauto. I got everything else for the surgery; specs, torque wrench, new iridium spark plugs, ah! and the camera!. I will get the oil/filter meanwhile.
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by JMM525i' post='798820' date='Feb 22 2009, 11:26 AM
Good luck Mike.
Thanks for the input Luigi, you got a good point.
So far I'm still waiting for the parts from Bavauto. I got everything else for the surgery; specs, torque wrench, new iridium spark plugs, ah! and the camera!. I will get the oil/filter meanwhile.
Thanks for the input Luigi, you got a good point.
So far I'm still waiting for the parts from Bavauto. I got everything else for the surgery; specs, torque wrench, new iridium spark plugs, ah! and the camera!. I will get the oil/filter meanwhile.