M52tu oil leak

[Swanny]

On the road with f34r in the e39 and we ran into a wonderful oil leak come from somewhere in the valve cover/ignition coil area. Luckily found this out at a tru l stop so no damage to the motor but any clues as to what it could be? Some pics for reference:
Looks like its worst from #1 and #5

[jlevie]

The valve cover gasket and grommets need to be replaced.

[jink0619]

if its not a bad rubber gasket on the bolts then you have a cracked valve cover.

[agent]

The valve cover gasket and grommets need to be replaced.

if its not a bad rubber gasket on the bolts then you have a cracked valve cover.

I have experienced both of these issues on my M54. Use the Genuine BMW replacement part(s) in both cases.

[Swanny]

Nothing like starting out a road trip with oil smoke blowing into the cabin. Just got back home to look into things. Thanks for the quick responses! Nice to get an idea of whats going on so my over active imagination doesn't go wild.

[F34R]

The valve cover gasket and grommets need to be replaced.

That is what I said when we pulled the plastic dress up cover. I did not find any oil from the valve cover or the head. It is shooting straight out of the Ignition Coil.

[graveshaker]

Kinda off topic but what is a "tru l stop"?

[Swanny]

Kinda off topic but what is a "tru l stop"?

That would be that new slang for truck stop. Yo.

[F34R]

Trucker sex xD

[Swanny]

Ok so new seals....only oil is coming from coil packs. How likely is it that they aren't seating right? Any other potential issues?

[Swanny]

Ok, new seals for the cover but oil is still coming from the coil packs. Do these covers warp? I cant figure out how after 3 months of ownership this starts to happen.

Its my first time dealing with an m52. So used to the simplicity of an m20...grrrr

[mikeedler]

there are ring gaskets- part of the valve cover gasket- aound the spark plug holes too. it is leaking in there fron the valve cover. the gaskets get old and brittle after 15 years of heat cycling.
take the valve cover off and you will understand.

[Swanny]

Those came with the gasket kit but unfortunately didn't resolve the issue. Thats why im worried about a warped or cracked valve cover.

[mikeedler]

I've never seen a warped valve cover, but that doesn't mean they can't- I change atleast one e60 plastic transmission oil pan a week- they get brittle and get hairline cracks.

[F34R]

I've never seen a warped valve cover, but that doesn't mean they can't- I change atleast one e60 plastic transmission oil pan a week- they get brittle and get hairline cracks.

This is what I mentioned last night after we buttoned it up and found it still leaked after a short drive to the Super Bowl party. There is chipping and missing bits from where the bolts go through around the outside(no leaks). It just proves my thoughts on a hairline crack on cylinder 1's coil pack. That is the ONLY place it is leaking.

I also heard a slight hissing from coil pack one when he fired the engine up. That too supports a crack or the gasket not sealing. I don't want to say the cover is cracked, but that is what it sounds like since every other one is sealed.

I mentioned it in text to him this morning. But should you start with lining up the valve cover around the outside just loose. Then tighten down the center around the coil packs to ensure a tight seal?

I never worked with the plastic covers on these newer engines, so I don't know if that would make a difference.