Leaking Valve Cover

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • red
    E30 Addict
    • Jul 2007
    • 447

    #1

    Leaking Valve Cover

    I've noticed the smell of oil, and seen some oil around one of the valve cover bolts

    This means the gasket needs to be replaced right and I might as well adjust the valves too. I can do it in class we don't start till Jan 7th.

    Is that too long to wait or does this need to be fixed now?

    I want to do it myself for the experience, but I don't want to ruin my car because it is my daily. I've got the Bentley and some tools + wire hanger, if I follow directions accordingly, I should be ok right?
  • M5wanaB
    E30 Addict
    • Aug 2007
    • 405

    #2
    pretty damn easy to do. I would recommend reading the write up on it at www.pelicanparts.com there is a great article on valve adjustment on there specific to our cars. As far as the valve cover goes. Try and snug up the bolts a little bit, just make sure they are all torqued to spec and keep an eye on your oil level.
    sigpic
    1991 325iC w/ 75k Original Miles, Brillantrot, 5-speed, 16" BBS RX's, Black Leather Sport Heated Seats, LSD, and Diving Boards for life!!!:D

    Comment

    • red
      E30 Addict
      • Jul 2007
      • 447

      #3
      Yeah the light's come on about 3 times so I've topped it off. It's on again so I'll tighten them and then fill er up some more.

      Comment

      • TwoJ's
        R3V Elite
        • Oct 2005
        • 4908

        #4
        If it were me, I would not wait that long to fix the problem. It's easy, and you're leaking oil all over your engine bay and wherever you park. That would bug the shit out of me. At the very least, I'd replace the gasket and then do the valve adjustment in class.

        And like someone already said, make sure the bolts are torqued correctly when you change it. And make sure you've got some good feeler gauges for the valve adjustment.

        Oh, and this forum exists for a reason:


        Comment

        • TwoJ's
          R3V Elite
          • Oct 2005
          • 4908

          #5
          Oh, and if it's leaking that much, make sure the valve cover is straight. It's aluminum and could be slightly warped, though I doubt it.

          Comment

          • red
            E30 Addict
            • Jul 2007
            • 447

            #6
            Thanks for the info. I posted in this section because I saw the engine oil pressure thread and thought this was the appropriate section, my bad.

            I'll probably do it next week on payday in that case and anything else that needs attention while I'm in there.

            Comment

            • TwoJ's
              R3V Elite
              • Oct 2005
              • 4908

              #7
              No problem. I wasn't trying to be a dick about it or anything either.

              Comment

              • einstein57
                R3V OG
                • Jun 2007
                • 10780

                #8
                And try and get the valve cover gasket with the grey line. Too many bad experiennces with red ones.
                Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                www.gecoils.com
                My euro 316 project Transaction Feedback

                Comment

                • red
                  E30 Addict
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 447

                  #9
                  Originally posted by einstein57
                  And try and get the valve cover gasket with the grey line. Too many bad experiennces with red ones.
                  Thanks for the tip.

                  Originally posted by TwoJ's
                  No problem. I wasn't trying to be a dick about it or anything either.
                  Oh I knew, I browse the OT quite often and I am pretty sure I can tell when someone is being a dick on here :p

                  Comment

                  • Court M3
                    R3V OG
                    • Jan 2004
                    • 6713

                    #10
                    Originally posted by einstein57
                    And try and get the valve cover gasket with the grey line. Too many bad experiennces with red ones.
                    damn wish I would have known this before I changed mine a couple of weeks ago! How can make sure the supplier sends the correct one?
                    Continuous For Sale Thread
                    323i s50

                    Comment

                    • red
                      E30 Addict
                      • Jul 2007
                      • 447

                      #11
                      Do I need to order 4 grommets as well as the gasket? I'm trying to find the grommets on pelican but it seems they have them only for the 318.. is that something only the 318 needs? Or is it that pelican parts doesnt carry it.

                      Comment

                      Working...