[The Nightman]

2009 E90 N52 w/ 140k km

I was fortunate enough to have the valve cover and oil pan gaskets replaced by BMW under CPO warranty but it looks like the former is leaking again after 8 years and a measly 40k km. I had noticed it was weeping a bit on the exhaust side, but it didn't become a problem until oil started burning on the exhaust and stinking up the cabin. I thought the hood seal, air quality sensor and cabin filter would be more useful. The foul smell is still noticeable even with the recirculation flaps closed!

So, what is the current situation with the valve cover gasket (VCG) and associated parts? Any issues with Elring gaskets? Their VCG and Valvetronic motor gaskets are made in Germany (BMW ones are made in Hungary for reference), but I recall reading some fitment issues with their ESS gasket that is made in Vietnam. I know that the OFHG material has been updated to FKM, but it doesn't seem like the VCG has been updated?

What's up with the spark plug tubes? They were replaced by BMW at the same time as the VCG, but I'm hoping I can reuse them if I can carefully remove them with a pick (as per this video).

What are your thoughts on the aftermarket aluminum valve covers? I've seen a few people on Reddit running them for a while now, but I can only assume that quality is subpar.

My presumably factory ESS has been leaking oil for a while now but I've been getting by with regular cleaning with electrical contact cleaner. The plan is to replace it with an OE VDO sensor (made in France, same as BMW).

My 2009 has a Oct 2008 build date and is not part of the VANOS bolts recall, so I assume that isn't an issue on my engine. I'll check nonetheless.

Any tips or tricks to make the job a little less painful? I'm aware of trimming the ECU box tab for a little more clearance, and it appears that the dealer has already done this. I'm also aware of loosening the wiper cowl for more clearance. I also have a 1/4" dr E8 socket that should hopefully work on the Valvetronic motor bolts. What's the consensus on the use of RTV?

Any other input would be much appreciated. If it matters, located in Canada so hoping to buy most of the parts from RockAuto.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

For parts, I always use FCP Euro to show me which parts is the OE part (usually means the same exact part that is on the car, without the BMW branding). If no OE are available, I might take a chance with a OEM part (part made by part manufacturer but not the original part on the car), for example the OFHG, I would go with Genuine VS Elring since the Genuine is now Japan made for a few years and apparently better, and well the Elring is not the OE part either. But for valve cover I would get the Elring gasket since FCP says it's the OE part.

Yes BMW say to replace tubes but I re-used them to when I did mine. I can only assume they say to do that to avoid any damage to the coil as sometimes you might bend them hard when removing.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

for example the OFHG, I would go with Genuine VS Elring since the Genuine is now Japan made for a few years and apparently better, and well the Elring is not the OE part either.

I know this was true at one point as I replaced my OFHG with a BMW FKM gasket that was made in Japan, but it looks like OEMs have caught up. Eg Elring 632.090 is the updated OFHG and is made of FKM. They still have the old 504.530 gasket made of HNBR in their catalogue.

Unfortunately Elring doesn't specify what their 584.950 VCG is made of, but I assume it's the original HNBR.

[mainbearing]

Same thing here. I think BMW's bulkhead design is subpar and the HVAC unit sucks. The pollution sensor IMO is useless.

The valve cover gasket material is polyacrylate. I do not think it ever changed. ACM is cheaper than FKM and possibly even HNBR. The valve cover design itself with the ultrasonically welded CCV panel I think is the problem.

I would be willing to go to an aluminum cover the next time if a reliable one is available. Some aftermarket ones use a flat gasket, so the OE one would not fit. I am not sure that is a good solution, in case the non-standard gasket needs replacement.

Originally Posted by The Nightman

2009 E90 N52 w/ 140k km
I thought the hood seal, air quality sensor and cabin filter would be more useful. The foul smell is still noticeable even with the recirculation flaps closed!

[StradaRedlands]

Don't the flat gasket ones use the flat gaskets from '06 cars? I thought so, but may be wrong on that.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I know this was true at one point as I replaced my OFHG with a BMW FKM gasket that was made in Japan, but it looks like OEMs have caught up. Eg Elring 632.090 is the updated OFHG and is made of FKM. They still have the old 504.530 gasket made of HNBR in their catalogue.

Unfortunately Elring doesn't specify what their 584.950 VCG is made of, but I assume it's the original HNBR.

Oh okay interesting! Might try it out next time my OFHG is due..

But yeah for the valve cover gasket, since the Elring is listed as OE it's probably the same that it was on it. Unfortunately I don't think you can find like a much better gasket. I also got it when I did mine ~ year a go and seems good at first glance, still have a bit of pooling on the interior of the cover but I believe it's a hairline crack I need to hunt down from the plastic cover, should've just changed the valve cover back then but I didn't want to pay the 500$ for Genuine, but since then FCP started carrying a OEM Elring cover at around 250$ which I will probably try if I can't track down reason of my leak. I don't like the aluminum one as I've ironically wseen posts on Facebook groups where the alu cracked at the corners... then again it was a VTT prodcut.

[whyzee125]

I go Genuine BMW on gaskets. Every OFHG leaks again within a year if not Genuine BMW. That being said, valve cover gaskets don't seem as essential to go Genuine (thouhg I still would)

My OE lasted 60k and the Elring lasted 45k.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I go Genuine BMW on gaskets. Every OFHG leaks again within a year if not Genuine BMW. That being said, valve cover gaskets don't seem as essential to go Genuine (thouhg I still would)

My OE lasted 60k and the Elring lasted 45k.

Are you talking about VCG? Isn't Elring OE. You mean Genuine VS OE?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Are you talking about VCG? Isn't Elring OE. You mean Genuine VS OE?

Sorry I meant Original that came with the car. You're correct.

[mainbearing]

07 still uses the molded gasket.

However, this eBay seller advertises their design that supposedly solves the oil leak problem. But good luck finding a replacement in the future. Also, I am not really sure about their claim of the problem, because that was not the problem spot I knew.

Besides the cheap polyacrylate gasket BMW uses, I think BMW's flat exterior CCV panel design and ultrasonic welding are the problem.

With this eBay cover the top flat panel is bolted on.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/36475376406...BlBMUKiD-sbPYw

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Don't the flat gasket ones use the flat gaskets from '06 cars? I thought so, but may be wrong on that.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Sorry I meant Original that came with the car. You're correct.

Ok yeah. But yeah it's interesting point to compare their longevity as sometimes OE isn't the exact same manufactured location and not sure if it affects the part that much. For example the oil filter if I buy it at the dealer, it's made in Germany but buying the MANN branded one that is OE it's made in Mexico atm.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok yeah. But yeah it's interesting point to compare their longevity as sometimes OE isn't the exact same manufactured location and not sure if it affects the part that much. For example the oil filter if I buy it at the dealer, it's made in Germany but buying the MANN branded one that is OE it's made in Mexico atm.

Agreed. OE does NOT equal the same quality that the car came with. I almost never buy non-BMW (or Toyota for my 4Runner) branded OE stuff bc it fails in no time in my experience.

[The Nightman]

At 27:00, this guy claims you don't have to set the Valvetronic motor in service position, contrary to almost everything else I've seen. Any truth to this? It seems to work out for him

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

At 27:00, this guy claims you don't have to set the Valvetronic motor in service position, contrary to almost everything else I've seen. Any truth to this? It seems to work out for him

Sure it works but it's not ideal. As you can see in the video the motor is under tension.

It's far easier to stick a hex wrench in the back of the motor and unload the tension first before unbolting the motor. It takes a few seconds at most, and you don't mess up the threads on the bolts holding the motor in place, avoiding any unnecessary rubbing of the worm gear on the eccentric shaft gear.

Also I've done this job three times on different N52s and never had to do a valvetronic relearn from INPA or any other tool. Just remove and reinstall, the car sets the limits before you start the engine.

[Mike K]

Since this job is a time consumer, I replaced the ESS along with a BMW VC from FCP. I bought 2 extra spark plug tubes just in case but I didn't need them as my 90k ones came out cleanly. I did the plugs and the coils at the same time too. Oh, and the X$%!? faulty Vanos bolts!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

At 27:00, this guy claims you don't have to set the Valvetronic motor in service position, contrary to almost everything else I've seen. Any truth to this? It seems to work out for him

I did something in between and thought I had released the tension, but apparently not as it still popped out at me. Didn't make a great sound as it ground across the gear, either :-/ I did go ahead and do the relearn feature in Protool just because it's there, so why not.

[The Nightman]

Unfortunately the VDO ESS is out of stock at RA so I have some time to overthink things.

Any thoughts on using super glue to hold the gasket to the VC during installation, like how this guy does at 32:22

Zeitan uses the equivalent of Permatex Ultra Grey but the gasket still came loose. Permatex also makes a high tack gasket sealant specifically for holding gaskets in place, but it would be nice if I could just use super glue that I already have on hand.

[jbash87]

Why not use the ziptie method to hold it in place as your maneuver things into place?

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by jbash87

Why not use the ziptie method to hold it in place as your maneuver things into place?

I'm aware of that method (thanks M539) but I assumed it wouldn't work on the N52 gasket because of the way it is

[jbash87]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

I'm aware of that method (thanks M539) but I assumed it wouldn't work on the N52 gasket because of the way it is

forgot N52 VCGs don't surround the bolt holes. Been a few years since I did one. Carry on.