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10-20-2015, 04:23 PM | #1 |
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N52 valve cover/gasket question
Think it's time to redo the valve cover gasket on the Z...just hit 90k and noticed slight build up of oil and grime. After watching a few YouTube posts, some people recommended changing the entire valve cover bc there might be hairline cracks etc. Anybody with opinions, experience with this, chime in. Also wondering the difficulty of the install bc the video I watched was a lengthy one of the x3 n52, thanks in advance
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10-21-2015, 11:42 AM | #2 |
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How bad is it leaking? Just buildup or running down engine? Have you cleaned it off and had reappear? Slow seep may build up gunk but not warrant tearing into it.
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10-21-2015, 02:35 PM | #3 |
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Cleaned it up about two weeks ago and it's a slow steady build up...I know as per maintenance schedule the gaskets should be done, just wondering if it's better to just change the valve cover itself and how difficult of an install it is
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10-22-2015, 04:03 PM | #4 |
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Anybody?
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10-24-2015, 01:41 AM | #5 |
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I did my oil filter housing gasket at 60k same time as water pump and tstat. At 75k I had a shop replace the valve cover gasket as well as the valvetronic and eccentric shaft sensor gaskets. Also did the plugs (could've gone longer but figured may as well since the ignition coils were coming out). That was the last major maintenance item on my car, don't foresee anything else for a long time *fingers crossed*
To answer your question though, I reviewed the DIY's and was considering tackling with a friend but the quote I got was low enough where I actually felt it was better to pay a pro to do it. Shameless plug but I have an extra set of valvetronic and eccentric shaft sensor gaskets for for sale |
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10-24-2015, 03:53 PM | #6 | |
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10-24-2015, 06:20 PM | #7 |
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Just did mine the last few days actually.
Mine started weaping around 75k. I think the reason was b/c of a cracked bolt (very common on these). The head had disappeared somewhere down the road but the stub was pretty easy to remove with some pliers. Harder part was the stripped thread on one of the holes. I had to rethread that, but it wasn't too bad. If you do it, I recommend also replacing the eccentric shaft sensor seal as well as the valvetronic motor seal. The former is an insurance- that sensor is bloody expensive so it makes sense to replace that seal before it goes bad and takes the sensor out. Job's actually not bad. You will need a good low range torque wrench, some socket extenders, and some female torx sockets. Just take your time and do it right. -s |
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10-26-2015, 06:19 PM | #8 |
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Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated
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10-26-2015, 09:27 PM | #9 |
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i did mine about a year or two ago. its very easy. if i do it again, i think i can fnish it with in 2 hours.
Take out the spark plugs and see if theres any oil on the spark plug thread. if yes, the gasket is leaking oil, possibly into the combustion chamber. I had leak there and my engine was vibrating sligtly. Thought it was the bad gasket. so replaced the whole valve cover with gasket but turned out to be the front control arm bushing. anyway make sure that move all the electrical wires away I put my valve cover back then later realized that i put the cover on top of a o2 sensor wire resulting cracked cover. |
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11-03-2015, 08:55 AM | #10 |
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i noticed some smoke from the engine bay infrequently this summer, on hot days, and it turned out to be the gasket (posted some pics/questions:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1154253) Is there any urgency to get this fixed or can I push it to next spring? I'm not handy so it would be done by a shop. Also, I plan on covering the car during the winter, but drive it/turn it on once in a while on nicer days. |
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11-04-2015, 11:06 AM | #11 |
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I had smoke as well but on a sharp u -turn, however the amount of oil I saw was minimum, as is what's currently leaking out. I plan on waiting till the spring and covering the car for the winter shortly, I'm just gonna make sure to clean it, and that no oil is sitting there and call it a day
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11-13-2015, 03:52 PM | #12 | |
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11-15-2015, 09:52 AM | #13 |
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Thanks for the info, I'm most likely going to wait till spring and might just have a shop do it while I get a ssk installed at the same time. There's only a few good weekends left to clean/drive the car. My days of running a hose from inside the house, getting my ear drums raped from wife's bantering and drying before the water ices over are done. So it'll most definitely wait till spring time before it gets tackled. Right now it's minor spillage so it's not pressing as of yet. But again all the info is much appreciated
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