Valve Cover Gasket and Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks

TCZ4 · 04-22-2014, 03:05 PM

Just got an annual oil service done at the local bmw indy shop. They told me they see a leak by the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing. I have noticed an increase in what looked like oil around the engine bay accumulating. Not a lot, and I haven't seen any on the floor of the garage.

How serious of a fix is this? Should I get on this right away or do I have some time?

I was quoted $1100 to replace both gaskets. $600 for the valve gasket and $500 for the oil housing gasket.

Thanks for the help.

Arsonism · 04-22-2014, 03:23 PM

The gaskets themselves should cost somewhere around 50-100 bucks a piece and this was something I did myself after hearing a price of about half that from local shops. This was on a Z3 (non-M). These gaskets aren't hard to change and I'd suggest doing it yourself as there's probably a guide on here somewhere and if not there's definitely one on youtube.

To answer your question though, yes that seems a bit high. Seriousness of repair, I'd say it shouldn't be disregarded or forgotten about but you wont hurt anything driving on it so long as your oil levels remain at a decent level. If you start running low on oil you're going to have some pretty serious issues, other than that you should be fine.

TCZ4 · 04-22-2014, 03:31 PM

I just called another indy shop and was quoted $420 on the valve gasket, so much more "palatable." I'm not sure how comfortable I am doing this one myself. I also don't think I have the proper tools. I'll probably try to clean up the engine bay a bit and keep an eye on it for a while longer.

XMetal · 04-22-2014, 03:35 PM

You may want to give this guy a try since you're in OC (presumably OC, CA) => http://www.mobilemechanic-oc.com/

He quoted me less than $200 for the valve gasket on my X5, gasket included. But I went different route since I wanted to have my VANOS rebuilt as well.

TCZ4 · 04-22-2014, 04:09 PM

Do you know anyone who used him?

Clearancediver · 04-22-2014, 06:17 PM

I put a stainless steel c clamp (approx 4") snugged lightly against the filter cap o ring. It solved the oil leak from a "bulging" o ring. Despite proper torquing etc the damn o ring would eventually bulge and I'd get a leak. This little cure cost me $2.50 ... Peace of mind and a clean engine... That is priceless.

As for the valve cover gasket... Get it replaced. Nobody enjoys the smell of burning oil... It ruins the experience driving the Z.....

XMetal · 04-22-2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCZ4

Do you know anyone who used him?

Sorry, I don't know of anyone who had used him. I was going to be a guinea pig and tried his services, but found someone else who helped me worked on my Vanos seals as well since I had the valve cover opened....so it didn't work out with him.

Have you also tried getting quotes from Coast Motor Werk and Bullet Performance? These two places may be a bit more costly, but still cheaper than dealers.

TCZ4 · 04-23-2014, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

Sorry, I don't know of anyone who had used him. I was going to be a guinea pig and tried his services, but found someone else who helped me worked on my Vanos seals as well since I had the valve cover opened....so it didn't work out with him.

Have you also tried getting quotes from Coast Motor Werk and Bullet Performance? These two places may be a bit more costly, but still cheaper than dealers.

I actually got my oil service done at Coast. I got the quote for the valve cover gasket there. It was around $650... I've gotten two more quotes. One for $425 and $385.

XMetal · 04-23-2014, 09:27 AM

Wow..."Coast" has gotten very expensive...almost dealer level prices!

3002 tii · 04-23-2014, 10:20 AM

I created this thread a while back, you might find it useful.

I did the OFHS same time as my water pump & T-stat knowing the coolant would have to e be flushed. Depending on the year of your N52, you may not actually be at risk of the valve cover gasket

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831184

TCZ4 · 04-23-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I created this thread a while back, you might find it useful.

I did the OFHS same time as my water pump & T-stat knowing the coolant would have to e be flushed. Depending on the year of your N52, you may not actually be at risk of the valve cover gasket

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831184

Thanks this is helpful. How do I check the month my car was made? I have an 06 but don't know if its an early 06. Also how can I check to see if its a bolt and not the gasket?

jdoublehcubed · 04-23-2014, 12:14 PM

Those prices are absurd. The valve cover gasket especially, I could do that in less than 2 hours no sweat, probably less than 1 hour. The gasket itself is $50.

Send a PM to Kiev, the SoCal valve adjustment guy. That gasket gets replaced when doing a valve adjustment, he probably has them in stock. I bet he'll do that gasket for you for $200 or less.

3002 tii · 04-23-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCZ4

Thanks this is helpful. How do I check the month my car was made? I have an 06 but don't know if its an early 06. Also how can I check to see if its a bolt and not the gasket?

Enter last 7 of VIN into realoem.com, this will tell you production date as well as look up which gaskets you received.

XMetal · 04-23-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Those prices are absurd. The valve cover gasket especially, I could do that in less than 2 hours no sweat, probably less than 1 hour. The gasket itself is $50.

Send a PM to Kiev, the SoCal valve adjustment guy. That gasket gets replaced when doing a valve adjustment, he probably has them in stock. I bet he'll do that gasket for you for $200 or less.

OP has an Si...so no valve adjustment.

jdoublehcubed · 04-23-2014, 10:01 PM

Understood, but presumably the valve cover comes off more of less the same way, thus Kiev should be able to help him out.

If for some reason the N52 uses a completely different valve cover design, then please disregard.

imz4n · 04-25-2014, 08:50 AM

I had a leak on the 04 and the cause.

Javizquierdo · 04-25-2014, 05:40 PM

:confuse d0068:

imz4n · 04-25-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imz4n

I had a leak on the 04 and the cause.

Valve cover bolts

dreamingat30fps · 04-25-2014, 07:32 PM

I have a pretty decent leak on the valve cover gasket, which was recently replaced like 15k miles ago. My indy quoted me like $200ish to replace but they gave a me a discount since the part should still be under warranty.

04-22-2014, 03:05 PM	#1
TCZ4 Private First Class 11 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2015 428i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	Valve Cover Gasket and Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks - How important? Just got an annual oil service done at the local bmw indy shop. They told me they see a leak by the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing. I have noticed an increase in what looked like oil around the engine bay accumulating. Not a lot, and I haven't seen any on the floor of the garage. How serious of a fix is this? Should I get on this right away or do I have some time? I was quoted $1100 to replace both gaskets. $600 for the valve gasket and $500 for the oil housing gasket. Thanks for the help.
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04-22-2014, 03:23 PM	#2
Arsonism Captain 158 Rep 747 Posts Drives: '08 M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	The gaskets themselves should cost somewhere around 50-100 bucks a piece and this was something I did myself after hearing a price of about half that from local shops. This was on a Z3 (non-M). These gaskets aren't hard to change and I'd suggest doing it yourself as there's probably a guide on here somewhere and if not there's definitely one on youtube. To answer your question though, yes that seems a bit high. Seriousness of repair, I'd say it shouldn't be disregarded or forgotten about but you wont hurt anything driving on it so long as your oil levels remain at a decent level. If you start running low on oil you're going to have some pretty serious issues, other than that you should be fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-22-2014, 03:31 PM	#3
TCZ4 Private First Class 11 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2015 428i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	I just called another indy shop and was quoted $420 on the valve gasket, so much more "palatable." I'm not sure how comfortable I am doing this one myself. I also don't think I have the proper tools. I'll probably try to clean up the engine bay a bit and keep an eye on it for a while longer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-22-2014, 03:35 PM	#4
XMetal Colonel 1128 Rep 2,863 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	You may want to give this guy a try since you're in OC (presumably OC, CA) => http://www.mobilemechanic-oc.com/ He quoted me less than $200 for the valve gasket on my X5, gasket included. But I went different route since I wanted to have my VANOS rebuilt as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-22-2014, 04:09 PM	#5
TCZ4 Private First Class 11 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2015 428i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	Do you know anyone who used him?
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04-22-2014, 06:17 PM	#6
Clearancediver Lieutenant 89 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	I put a stainless steel c clamp (approx 4") snugged lightly against the filter cap o ring. It solved the oil leak from a "bulging" o ring. Despite proper torquing etc the damn o ring would eventually bulge and I'd get a leak. This little cure cost me $2.50 ... Peace of mind and a clean engine... That is priceless. As for the valve cover gasket... Get it replaced. Nobody enjoys the smell of burning oil... It ruins the experience driving the Z..... __________________ Sent from my smart phone...
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04-23-2014, 09:27 AM	#9
XMetal Colonel 1128 Rep 2,863 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Wow..."Coast" has gotten very expensive...almost dealer level prices!
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04-23-2014, 10:20 AM	#10
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2280 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.20]	I created this thread a while back, you might find it useful. I did the OFHS same time as my water pump & T-stat knowing the coolant would have to e be flushed. Depending on the year of your N52, you may not actually be at risk of the valve cover gasket http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831184 __________________ Follow for latest mods
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04-23-2014, 12:14 PM	#12
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	Those prices are absurd. The valve cover gasket especially, I could do that in less than 2 hours no sweat, probably less than 1 hour. The gasket itself is $50. Send a PM to Kiev, the SoCal valve adjustment guy. That gasket gets replaced when doing a valve adjustment, he probably has them in stock. I bet he'll do that gasket for you for $200 or less.
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04-23-2014, 10:01 PM	#15
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	Understood, but presumably the valve cover comes off more of less the same way, thus Kiev should be able to help him out. If for some reason the N52 uses a completely different valve cover design, then please disregard.
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04-25-2014, 08:50 AM	#16
imz4n Captain 57 Rep 822 Posts Drives: 2006 3,0 si TITANIUM SIlVER Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County Ca. iTrader: (0)	I had a leak on the 04 and the cause. __________________ SoCal Z Enthusiast contact me to get on the list. Events for like minded people and when you talk about your Z, we will know what you are saying. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCACalifornia/
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04-25-2014, 05:40 PM	#17
Javizquierdo Enlisted Member 13 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 2.0 2008 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Madrid iTrader: (0)	:confuse d0068:
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04-25-2014, 07:32 PM	#19
dreamingat30fps Lieutenant Colonel 5307 Rep 1,907 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	I have a pretty decent leak on the valve cover gasket, which was recently replaced like 15k miles ago. My indy quoted me like $200ish to replace but they gave a me a discount since the part should still be under warranty.
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