Valve cover gasket.

[84mint325e]

Hello Members, I own a 1984 BMW 325e with a 2.7 liter engine. What is the best valve cover gasket manufacture (besides BMW) out there. I already have four new rocker shaft plugs. Thank you

[daveduck]

I've always heard the Victor Reinz is terrible, so stay away from that at least. I think the Elring one is good enough. My advice is to check out FCP Euro, they generally don't stock poor quality parts, so you can't really go wrong.

[84mint325e]

Thank you Dave. When you change your valve cover gasket, do you use a thin layer of RTV silicone on both sides?

[Vincenze]

The OEM valve gasket often leaks oil.

Victor Reinz's gasket actually has an additional rubber layer.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-32...h/11121730229/



I would use silicone on both sides.
Again, Victor Reinz's Reinzosil is good.

I would also use silicone around the rubber plugs.

But it's relatively easy to change the valve gasket later on if it leaks.

[nando]

they've probably changed over the years. the VR gaskets in the past never had the silicone layer, it was just rubber and never sealed right.

[Vincenze]

they've probably changed over the years. the VR gaskets in the past never had the silicone layer, it was just rubber and never sealed right.

I looked through different valve gaskets.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-32...h/11121730229/

Most of them, including OEM, are made of cardboard-like material. Silicone really helps with them.

Some people say that the Goetze gasket is better.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/339701-m20-valve-cover-gasket

[84mint325e]

Thank you for the information. I installed MAHLE (with that extra rubber layer) and it's leaking.

[Vincenze]

Thank you for the information. I installed MAHLE (with that extra rubber layer) and it's leaking.

I would clean the surfaces from oil, and reseal the gasket using any high-temperature silicone.
And the plugs too.

[84mint325e]

Thanks Vincenze, I didn't think about the high temperature. The stuff that I was going to use would have burned away.

[84mint325e]

New gasket wit high temperature RTV did the trick. Thank you.