BMW N54 Valve Cover Gasket DIY

In this video I show you how to replace you valve cover on an N54 motor.

I'm working on my 2008 BMW E90 335i.

I also show you how to replace the o-rings in your blow by PCV vent tube which goes from your valve cover to your rear inlet.

You should set aside a couple hours to preform this job. When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[rrudydedogg]

This REALLY helps!!! My local independent shop wanted $700 for the gasket and another $400 to change out the spark plugs. Yikes! I feel very fortunate that I can do work like this myself, have the tools to do so and can access excellent tutorial videos like yours to guide me along. it makes owning a BMW affordable. THANK YOU!!!!

[rcecconi]

Wow. I was a BMW tech in the 70's and early 80's. I recently acquired an '09 335i X Drive after years of driving Toyotas. Needless to say, when I looked under the hood, a whole 'nother world is happening under here. I've watched several of your video's and they are life savers! Thanks for your methodical, concise and informative style. No skipped steps, attention to details and well lit! So many of these videos you cant even see what they're doing. Thumbs up, definitely. I've subscribed and will check you out anytime I have to service my 335i!

[barryseaton]

Second time doing this job in about four months on e61 n54 100k 2008. a huge help to refer back to this video and read thru the earlier comments with extra pointers, but I should have paid more attention ... easy not to when you think you can remember most of it. Cross thread a middle fuel rail bolt because I attached fuel lines first. doh.

First time used cheap eBay cover/gasket set - looked fine, "same" as original, but leaks were apparent the last couple weeks that I didn't want sitting on new coils/sparks.
This time bought a Rein valve cover set, shipped direct from manuf. thru summit racing, and used the money saved doing that to buy a digital torque wrench for the aluminum asa bolts and crept up on the 75inch pounds setting in FIVE (overkill? ) passes. Started with very low settings just to evenly settle the cover and gasket down on the block the first few passes. World of difference to see and hear constant or peak torque limits as you go.

first time around my harbor freight medium eemereBayI'ddone before.


If the Rein doesn't hold up to my mild tuning, minimal bolt ons, I'll definitely be back to update on my third vcg diy. digital wrench well worth the peace of mind/confidence ~$120 amazon for the smallest in the blue handle/orange label 3/8 inch range.

[cuthbertcasey]

Oh man, this is increadibly helpful. Got my valve cover gasket but it's been in my boot for 3 months now as I had no confidence. I am off to start. Thank you!

[ethanjones]

You made a six hour job look like a one hour job. Awesome video

[Shadowman]

Just tackled this with my son! Thanks for the great video. I left the fuel lines attached to the main rail, and I removed the vacuum can with the 13mm nut to give me access to the lines. Everything else was pretty easy. Only issue I had was snapping off a bolt on the wiring harness. No biggie.
Keep up the great work!

[Mr.Enigmatik]

Why would anyone downvote this video?? I just found out my valve cover is cracked and I’m only at 59k miles. So I’ll be doing this soon. It’s nice you don’t have to removed the injectors. I was worried I was going to have to.

[BrianSchreck]

According to the Bentley Manual, the torque spec for the fuel line to the injector is 23 Nm or 17 ft-lb. You said tighten to 23 ft-lb at 40:46. That aside, thanks for putting out this great video.

[JeffreyWorden]

This video was tremendously helpful in guiding me through this operation on my 2010 BMW 335i I replaced the entire valve cover got a new PCV tube as it was too brittle. Thank you!

[warren]

Thank you for all the content you provide for the N54, every video is extremely helpful and well done! Saved me thousands of dollars and has kept my 09 E92 335i on the road.

[Saiyan]

Pull the fuse to the pump and start the car, run it until it stalls and then remove the fuel rail.

[cocoadroppa]

I literally just finished this job like an hour ago but ran into a problem, had gas pissing out everywhere…didnt know you had to tighten the fuel lines like that thanks for info

[stumpmtsr]

My 2008 535xi has 210K miles on it and it's time for the Valve cover gasket to be changed. I had to change the alternator so I'm doing this as well. Thanks for the great video.

[laney.n]

I just did this to mine and let me first say thanks for an in-depth video. Also, I am NEVER doing this again😂

[noelgunter]

Excellent presentation! had an oil leak and instead of the valve cover gasket, as you stated, it was my PVC breather gasket O-ring. Saved time and money. Thank you so much!

[leosgarage]

My shop that I go to for bigger jobs that i rather not tackle myself wants to charge me 9 hrs of labor for this 😂. Yeah I’m gonna do this this weekend for sure. Not that difficult at all. Great video. Will re watch this when i start in on it.

[friguy]

I think someone before I bought my car did a lot of pulling out on the injectors as the number 5 connection broke off at the plug and now I'm replacing the little pins and plastic plug on it. I'd suggest some care when removing those unless you want to have this kind of aggravating problem later on. IMHO. Great videos as always !!!

[ltdasilva]

I keep coming back on this video when my 85 thousand mile N54 gets me discouraged. I have to do my valve cover and love this video thank you. I hope mine lasts just as long as yours.

[iBryaaannnn]

@ 4:50, rather than removing each individual fuel line, couldn't you just unscrew all lines from the injector & then simply unscrew the whole fuel rail with the fuel lines still attached?

[BMWFanatic]

Nice! I’m doing mine here next weekend 👍🏻