How to Replace the Valve Cover on a BMW N51/N52N Engine

► Valve covers are typically a lifetime component. The gaskets that seal the valve cover to the cylinder head are a common replacement item and a common source for oil leaks. If the valve cover is warped or damaged in any way it will need to be replaced. This Genuine BMW replacement is the ideal repair solution as it comes with a valve cover gasket set and mounting bolts. Follow along as Gareth Foley takes you through the steps needed to replace your valve cover.

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[hownow]

Dude...."thank you" ...this video saved me 1600 bucks. was an excellent video on how to do it. cant say thank you enough

[axelmensch]

I'm from Germany and work on BMW for almost 40 years.
Best video I have seen for this job.👍

[johnpetersen]

I pulled the wipers and inner shield off. Then, removed two bulkhead panels which live over the back of the valve cover. Doing this allows the cover to basically lift straight off. Saved aggravation and a ton of time!

[pablomartinez]

Absolutely amazing, I can't thank you guys enogh for your videos. I'm tired of my BMW being treated like its some sort of spaceship you need a PHd to work on and getting charged up the ass for dumb repairs. Your business, pricing and parts are top notch!

[madlift]

Thanks to this repair, I was able to teach my neighbors a few new curse words that I'm certain they'd never heard before. Appreciate the video help and guidance!

[austinworthy]

This video saved me $1, 200 from the dealer. I spent $60 on gaskets and used the same valve cover. Thank you for the great tutorial!

[jb]

Excellent video. BUT for those who will crack the PCV valve hose which happens to the best of us- as I just cracked mine, you do NOT need to pull the intake to get to the other two connections off. Watch a video to pull the alternator and reach in cut the two tabs that hold the keeper rings on both connectors and simply pull off the connectors and replace the hose. The problem with these connectors is the heat over time makes them very stiff and not pliable and causes them to not release. Hope this helps.

[nennyferfer]

Seriously, CANNOT thank you enough for these I had to rangle in my husbands help but we had to change the valve cover, spark plugs, oil filter housing gaskets, etc... but all thanks to your vids we ordered parts needed from your site and followed step by step each video we needed to get it all done ourselves, with a lot of crying and cussing 😂🤣
THANK YOU!

[scottmorton]

Thank you for the video! I just did the valve cover on my wife's 2012 128i convertible with the N51 engine. It took two days but everything went smooth. Just like he said in the video, the hardest part is getting the valve cover off and the new one back on. The next hardest part was torquing the valve cover bolts in the back. My process wasn't exactly like in the video since the 128i has a different wiring harness and additional strut bars. I just took my time and was careful and patient when removing all of the plastic connectors. I certainly don't want to have to do this again for at least the next 80, 000 miles. But I did save enough money doing it my self that I bought a new computer!

[TheSweeper]

Great video. My e92 ran really rough on startup but no codes. I went back in and found that the coil shields were not pressed all the way into the recesses. Be sure they are pressed past the little tabs you see on the inside of the cover.

[dougrobinson]

Thanks for this video. It was very helpful. I did mine on a 128i, and space is tighter than on that X3. Two recommendations to add here. First, don't even think about trying to save the PCV hose. That sucker literally fell apart in my hands, so order a new one. You can install it without completely removing the intake manifold. just remove the bolts on the manifold and slide it out an inch or two. Second, remember that you will have to reset the window limits after disconnecting the battery. Hold the window switches down for at least five seconds after they are fully down, and the auto up function will work again.

[dougjohnson]

My 2010 X3 has had a leaking valve cover since I bought it from a neighbor 7 years ago. I replaced the valvetronic motor gasket several years ago but it was still leaking. Finally got up enough courage to tackle this job. This video is spectacular. All the details, tips, and hints were great. I can't emphasize enough how difficult the vacuum hose on the rear was to remove. It was clocked with one of the tabs in to the cover. I used your advice and took a few breaks, and finally got it off. Thanks again for all the help!

[waywardpaddler]

Another tip, on my 128i there is a plastic vent piece in the center at that joint below the windshield/above firewall where that rubber seal runs across THAT CAN BE REMOVED with a few bolts and gives so much more room for the back of the valve cover where the breather hose connection is. When I figured this out it made installing it SO much easier.

[nox_chan]

I've done this before, it involves a lot of crying

[M-ur]

One question, so I don’t have to scan my car and relearnd the valvetronic motor, I only turn on the ignition couple of time ?

[behan]

The best vid there is!
Just follow his steps and you cant go wrong.
Get someone to help pull the PCV hose while you press the tabs, makes life a lot easier.

[terrmaso]

Late to the party as well. Helping a friend who picked up a 2007 328i. Has almost 100k on the engine and is idling rough. An independent shop wanted to charge him $1000 for plugs and coils packs. Had him order parts from FCP and we knocked it out. Didn't resolve the rough idle though. At least he didn't spend $1000.

I know he needs a valve cover gasket, and it is leaking around the valvetronic motor and the eccentric shaft sensor. Hoping that may resolve the idle. Probably check the injectors while they are out.

Thank you so much for the detailed video. You were a great help when I rebuilt an 03 525i for my wife. Thanks for taking the time to help the DIY crowd👍

[ryanholt]

Just a heads up for all the N51 owners in CA. If you’re still under 150k and 15 years, this service is 100% covered by BMW. Just had mine done at 100k May of ‘23.

[kennethmoriarty]

I did this job, thanks to this and other youtube vids, it went really well. The one thing I would add with my experience since doing it a year and a half ago is to caution people when installing the new seal for the valvetronic motor to be very careful not to overdrive or otherwise strip out the plastic when driving the two screws for that football shaped gasket. I managed to do that on one of the screws without really trying and in short order I had a small oil leak (again!) but worse, I developed a vacuum leak and eventually started getting mixture codes (running lean), misfire codes, mass air code, etc. There isnt a lot of spare material to work with and the hole is only so deep so I had to be super careful, but I was able to use only a 5/16-18 tap and get a decent grip for a short bolt to secure the gasket. vacuum loss solved. I dont know if it was low grade plastic used to make the valve cover or what (I bought aftermarket - not ebay $100 knockoff cheap but from a discount vendor online) so maybe that was the problem.

[JoelAutomotiveInaction]

so the eccentric shaft motor position auto learn it self if you cycle the ignition key from off to acc couple of times ??