[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by Raptor04

That's what I recommend and did. I went with uro cover and separate genuine BMW gasket. However, the elring gasket that you can purchase individually appears to be similar to the genuine BMW gasket whereas the generic gaskets included with the uro and elring valve covers look like identical copies of each other from same factory. No way to actually determine which gaskets are better without testing, but I have not had any issues with genuine or elring valve cover gaskets purchased separately from the actual valve cover.

No issues with bolts.

Thanks for the reply, I’m going to order the URO cover from rock auto $134.99 and a genuine gasket from FCP. If my valve cover seems to be “fine”I may just replace gasket and send URO cover back. Just worried since it’s been leaking for some time the passage ways for pcv may be gunked up.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Kenneykickin

Also is the 10mm injector ground removal tool a necessity in doing the cover?

No need for any special tool.

All you need is a deep 10mm socket with at least 3/8" driver size. (1/4" driver will not have the internal clearance for the ground stub to pass through).

Once you put the 10mm deep socket over the stud you will have enough material left to put your driver in and engage the socket.

Here are a few pointers from when i did my valve cover gasket: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...ostcount=21219

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

No need for any special tool.

All you need is a deep 10mm socket with at least 3/8" driver size. (1/4" driver will not have the interal clearance for the ground stub to pass through).

Once you put the 10mm deep socket over the stud you will have enough material left to put your driver in and engage the socket.

Here are a few pointers from when i did my valve cover gasket: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...ostcount=21219

Thanks, I do see they have the special tool for sale for about 20 bucks just a long 10mm. I know I have deep 10mm in 1/4 I better check if I have a deep in 3/8 I’m sure I do.

Does the pcv valve still need replaced even if replacing valve cover? Isn’t it built into it?

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Kenneykickin

Thanks, I do see they have the special tool for sale for about 20 bucks just a long 10mm. I know I have deep 10mm in 1/4 I better check if I have a deep in 3/8 I’m sure I do.

Does the pcv valve still need replaced even if replacing valve cover? Isn’t it built into it?

If you are getting a new cover then no. New valve comes with the new cover.
What majoroty of guys do is they install the upgraded more robust pcv valve before installing the valve cover because it is easier to do since you got clear access to it.

If you do end up replacing it, just be careful not to break the plastic screw on cover.

[mainbearing]

The PCV valve is part of the plastic valve cover. It was still quite a bit of work getting the cover out, mainly the harness near the electrical box on the passenger side and the plenum covers. If you are not keeping the car to need another valve cover under lifetime replacement then Uro will do. Uro is a popular item on Rock Auto.

What you can do is smear a coat of RTV around the ultrasonic seal on the outside. I think that is where the weak point is after repeated expansion and shrinking. The seam merely splits.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

The PCV valve is part of the plastic valve cover. It was still quite a bit of work getting the cover out, mainly the harness near the electrical box on the passenger side and the plenum covers. If you are not keeping the car to need another valve cover under lifetime replacement then Uro will do. Uro is a popular item on Rock Auto.

What you can do is smear a coat of RTV around the ultrasonic seal on the outside. I think that is where the weak point is after repeated expansion and shrinking. The seam merely splits.

Your PCV is different. His is an N54 engine which has a removable pcv.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Your PCV is different. His is an N54 engine which has a removable pcv.

Yeah, I bought the URO cover, genuine gasket I’ll just toss the gasket that comes with the URO cover and than I bought an FTP pcv valve I’ll throw on the URO cover.

[mainbearing]

Unless the genuine gasket is revised to Viton, I doubt it is going to be better than what I believe than the typical cheap polyacrylate used.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Unless the genuine gasket is revised to Viton, I doubt it is going to be better than what I believe than the typical cheap polyacrylate used.

How can I find that out..?

[mainbearing]

BMW would not tell you anything. But for OFHG for example, Elring catalog would show two versions, the new one with Viton and the old one with HNBR.

For the valve cover gasket, most manufacturers use cheap polyacrylates. Well, because it is cheaper than Viton with a lower temperature tolerance. It feels like a denser, limp kind of gasket in your hands.

In the case of the 335i gasket, Ajusa shows polyacrylate (ACM). Other brands just say "molded rubber", which is completely useless.


BMW had to go to Japan for an updated OFHG, because there was no such talent in Germany . The latest genuine OFHG should be made in Japan. Uro and Mahle OFHG, also made of Viton (fluoroelastomer, FKM):

[Kenneykickin]

Just received the URO cover for N54. Quality doesn’t seem half bad.. content with the cover for the price…

The gasket that came with it on the other hand feels loose, doesn’t stay in place well. I’ve heard of people using very small drops of super glue on the corners?

I know if I don’t use anything I’m going to have a hell of time trying to keep it in while putting it on…

[tlow98]

Use black gasket maker to hood it in the corners. Let it set for an hour then out it on.

[R3dLeader]

Originally Posted by Kenneykickin

Just received the URO cover for N54. Quality doesn’t seem half bad.. content with the cover for the price…

The gasket that came with it on the other hand feels loose, doesn’t stay in place well. I’ve heard of people using very small drops of super glue on the corners?

I know if I don’t use anything I’m going to have a hell of time trying to keep it in while putting it on…

Instead of super glue, I'd probably use an RTV gasket maker type material like Permatex copper.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Use black gasket maker to hood it in the corners. Let it set for an hour then out it on.

Thanks, this is what I’m going to try. I’ll go snag some tonight. Will be attempting this job over the weekend.

Thanks for all advice.

[pacmanchriz]

Originally Posted by Kenneykickin

Thanks, this is what I’m going to try. I’ll go snag some tonight. Will be attempting this job over the weekend.

Thanks for all advice.

I'm also thinking of doing URO Valve Cover with BMW Gasket. Could you let us know how your experience goes? Do we need to get any special tools or additional bolts?? Or are you going to just use the existing bolts (is that ideal?)

Thanks!

[mainbearing]

For the Uro cover on the N51/52 the gasket fit tightly. I am not sure why Uro put a loose fitting gasket on the N54 cover. I am sure they could do better.

Anyway if I were to do the cover over again, I would RTV all the ultrasonically sealed seams on the cover. And maybe contemplating both sides of the gasket. LOL

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by pacmanchriz

I'm also thinking of doing URO Valve Cover with BMW Gasket. Could you let us know how your experience goes? Do we need to get any special tools or additional bolts?? Or are you going to just use the existing bolts (is that ideal?)

Thanks!

If you buy a new valve cover, it will come with new bolts.

If you are only replacing the gasket, then you can reuse the bolts (they are steel).
- Bentley repair manual states to put bolts back to their origial location. I recommend not removing the bolts from the valve cover. (check out my comments from the link above)
- Ensure you use a torque wrench

Scroll up and click on the link i provided that outlines certain points from when i did my gasket a few weeks ago.

NGEE also provided his points in your other thread.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by pacmanchriz

I'm also thinking of doing URO Valve Cover with BMW Gasket. Could you let us know how your experience goes? Do we need to get any special tools or additional bolts?? Or are you going to just use the existing bolts (is that ideal?)

Thanks!

Since the gaskets are found to be made by same quality URO and genuine I’m just using the URO gasket that came with the cover.. gasket feels a little loose and won’t stay in so I’ll be using some RTV ultra black on the corners to hold it in and maybe a couple other spots but very light amount just to hold gasket into cover.

No special tools. A 3/8 10mm deep socket to get the grounds off.

I’ll post back by Sunday and let me know all know how it went.

Let the RTV cure for a few hours before starting if you’re going to use this as well.

[Kenneykickin]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

For the Uro cover on the N51/52 the gasket fit tightly. I am not sure why Uro put a loose fitting gasket on the N54 cover. I am sure they could do better.

Anyway if I were to do the cover over again, I would RTV all the ultrasonically sealed seams on the cover. And maybe contemplating both sides of the gasket. LOL

I definitely think they could do better for the N54 gasket… based off how loose it was I was contemplating buying a genuine gasket but I’ll try this first.. since one poster said their most likely made by same material.

Idk.

[Kenneykickin]

Also what would you guys using to clean the surface?

[mainbearing]

I did not have much varnish and just used alcohol on a rag. If you need a stronger solvent maybe brake cleaner and a stiff toothbrush. For varnish throttle body cleaner might work better.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Kenneykickin

Also what would you guys using to clean the surface?

Brake cleaner and Carb cleaner