2008 bmw 328i valve cover gasket replacement cost

Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

Valve cover gasket replacement

My N20 has about 44k miles and yesterday during spark plug replacement, the technician showed me that there is a very slight oil leak on the valve cover, so he recommended to replace it.

My questions after researching online are
1. Usually vcg needs replacement around 100k miles but mine is only 44k miles. Is that normal?
2. He recommended to replace the whole cover, but i said no, and decided to just do the gasket. So is it recommended to replace everything? How often is the valve cover to crack?
3. If i were to replace the cover, should i get the oem bmw? Or if aftermarket, what would be a good brand? And where to buy?

Thanks.

Last edited by gameson; 04-09-2022 at 08:46 PM..

Private First Class

Drives: F30 328

Join Date: Dec 2021

Location: ZJ

Leave it alone and wait until after 10K miles to replace it

Private

Drives: 2017 BMW 330i xdrive (B46)

Join Date: Oct 2020

Location: Shelton, CT

If the valve cover is leaking, he needs to show proof of oil weeping around the gasket and saturating the head where the valve cover meets it. That looks like dirt caked on there, and judging where you fill the oil, it could easily just been oil mess form previous oil changes. I would check for oil weeping around the valve cover near the head first. If you see it there, and past the head/valve cover and lower on the engine, then you probably need to replace it.

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Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtalweezy

If the valve cover is leaking, he needs to show proof of oil weeping around the gasket and saturating the head where the valve cover meets it. That looks like dirt caked on there, and judging where you fill the oil, it could easily just been oil mess form previous oil changes. I would check for oil weeping around the valve cover near the head first. If you see it there, and past the head/valve cover and lower on the engine, then you probably need to replace it.

Unfortunately it’s already been replaced, but i did see some oil residue on pics 3 and a bit more oil residue towards the firewall direction.

I understand the oil cap is placed closer to the front of the car, so when i saw oil more inside the firewall, i decided to replace.

Maybe unnecessary? Shop tried to overcharge something? Car is build 05/2015 and has 44k miles.

Thanks

Private

Drives: 2017 BMW 330i xdrive (B46)

Join Date: Oct 2020

Location: Shelton, CT

I usually look for obvious signs of weeping. If it has already been replaced, then you are 100% going to want to confirm fresh oil weeping around the valve cover and head.

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2017 BMW 330ix MSport Estoril Blue - B46, ER Catless DP, ER Chargepipe, FTP Intake Charge Pipe, BMS Cone Intake, BMS OilCC, Bm3 Stage 2. FI Exhaust, xHP Stage 3 OTS Transmission tune. CSFRace heat exchanger. Performance M Brake kit. AFE Carbon Fiber D.A.S.
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Lieutenant General

Drives: '15 328iX GT

Join Date: Jan 2015

Location: New Hampshire

Any time you suspect a leak you should confirm it. First thoroughly clean the engine, preferable with a steam wand, then use UV dye and a black light to check for leaks.

Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Any time you suspect a leak you should confirm it. First thoroughly clean the engine, preferable with a steam wand, then use UV dye and a black light to check for leaks.

Then after a thorough clean, if it leaks, it should immediately leak? Or it has to be an engine temperature?

Sorry, i am new to this valve gasket thing as this is my first german car, i am a jdm car owner my entire lifetime and never experienced oil leaks even on my 200k miles acura legend�.

Lieutenant

Drives: 2017 BMW 330i xDrive

Join Date: Jan 2021

Location: Auburn, AL

BMWs are known to develop oil leaks with time. Have been for quite a while now, why they can't seem to get that under control...who knows?

Bill's method is the best way to find them. Drive around for a few days after adding the dye, and then in there with a black light to see what glows.

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Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

How do i use the uv dye? What to buy? Thanks.

Lieutenant

Drives: 2017 BMW 330i xDrive

Join Date: Jan 2021

Location: Auburn, AL

https://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics...s%2C118&sr=8-3

Really any engine oil UV dye will work. Just add to your engine oil (use the whole bottle).

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Private First Class

Drives: 2013 328xi

Join Date: Oct 2020

Location: Montana

Quote:

Originally Posted by auburnf30x

BMWs are known to develop oil leaks with time. Have been for quite a while now, why they can't seem to get that under control...who knows?

Bill's method is the best way to find them. Drive around for a few days after adding the dye, and then in there with a black light to see what glows.

Every car develops oil leaks. BMW doesn't manufacture their own gaskets, so rubber becoming brittle and cracking over time isn't a fault of BMW, it's lack of maintenance. My f30 has 88k on it now and doesn't leak anything. My old e83 had 170k and didn't leak anything, and my old e30 had 215k and didn't leak. Just keep up on maintenance. Most seals are rubber and degrade over time. It's normal.

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Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by heifetz17

Every car develops oil leaks. BMW doesn't manufacture their own gaskets, so rubber becoming brittle and cracking over time isn't a fault of BMW, it's lack of maintenance. My f30 has 88k on it now and doesn't leak anything. My old e83 had 170k and didn't leak anything, and my old e30 had 215k and didn't leak. Just keep up on maintenance. Most seals are rubber and degrade over time. It's normal.

How would you maintain a rubber gasket when it�s deep inside the valve cover? You have to take everything to access the cover and gasket.

Thanks.

Private First Class

Drives: 2013 328xi

Join Date: Oct 2020

Location: Montana

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

Quote:

Originally Posted by heifetz17

Every car develops oil leaks. BMW doesn't manufacture their own gaskets, so rubber becoming brittle and cracking over time isn't a fault of BMW, it's lack of maintenance. My f30 has 88k on it now and doesn't leak anything. My old e83 had 170k and didn't leak anything, and my old e30 had 215k and didn't leak. Just keep up on maintenance. Most seals are rubber and degrade over time. It's normal.

How would you maintain a rubber gasket when it’s deep inside the valve cover? You have to take everything to access the cover and gasket.

Thanks.

I'm saying developing several leaks is lack of maintenance. Every gasket ever made will eventually start leaking and need to be replaced.

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Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Coupe 6MT

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SoCal

Around 100k miles the valve cover on our N26 cracked, started slowly leaking oil and dripping to where it hits exhaust or hot engine and smells. We're at 113k and I'm about to do the timing chain tensioner and all might-as-wells, so will replace the valve cover. I took it into the dealer and they said that per SULEV warranty if the valve cover gasket was leaking they'd fix it, but since it's a crack in the valve cover it's not covered.

To answer the other questions, no way on a car with as many miles as ours would I go with OEM, especially if I'm saving labor by DIY. I went with REIN kit that has extra hoses that can break during dissasembly and oil cap. I can do that twice or more for the cost of OEM.

My opinions/experiences: Replace the entire valve cover if you ever have issues with the gasket...for these reasons - 1. they crack, 2. there may be integrated emissions components that either can't be replaced if they fail, or can be replaced/hacked and is a pain or not guaranteed to fix the issue, 3. you can screw up the valve cover gasket when installing, 4. On N26 valve cover there is a vacuum pump gasket that fails commonly and should always be replaced, a new valve cover comes with this installed already. On my N55 valve cover some emissions breather failed and started making an annoying whistling noise...it can be replaced(hacked), but for $250 you can replace everything...and this is a medium difficulty job that can be done by DIY, but you still don't want to be doing it multiple times.

Last edited by nodemgr; 04-27-2022 at 02:49 PM..

Captain

Drives: 2015 BMW 320i N20

Join Date: Jul 2021

Location: USA

I am curious, how can a valve cover cracked? due to overheating?

so you are saying it's better to buy non OEM valve cover kit? how much is REIN kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodemgr

Around 100k miles the valve cover on our N26 cracked, started slowly leaking oil and dripping to where it hits exhaust or hot engine and smells. We're at 113k and I'm about to do the timing chain tensioner and all might-as-wells, so will replace the valve cover. I took it into the dealer and they said that per SULEV warranty if the valve cover gasket was leaking they'd fix it, but since it's a crack in the valve cover it's not covered.

To answer the other questions, no way on a car with as many miles as ours would I go with OEM, especially if I'm saving labor by DIY. I went with REIN kit that has extra hoses that can break during dissasembly and oil cap. I can do that twice or more for the cost of OEM.

My opinions/experiences: Replace the entire valve cover if you ever have issues with the gasket...for these reasons - 1. they crack, 2. there may be integrated emissions components that either can't be replaced if they fail, or can be replaced/hacked and is a pain or not guaranteed to fix the issue, 3. you can screw up the valve cover gasket when installing, 4. On N26 valve cover there is a vacuum pump gasket that fails commonly and should always be replaced, a new valve cover comes with this installed already. On my N55 valve cover some emissions breather failed and started making an annoying whistling noise...it can be replaced(hacked), but for $250 you can replace everything...and this is a medium difficulty job that can be done by DIY, but you still don't want to be doing it multiple times.

Private First Class

Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Coupe 6MT

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SoCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

I am curious, how can a valve cover cracked? due to overheating?

so you are saying it's better to buy non OEM valve cover kit? how much is REIN kit?

Not totally sure, but I assume from heat cycles and engine vibration...the plastic weakens in some spots due to poor design. Or, under warranty my valve cover gasket was replaced...maybe they damaged the valve cover at that time?

I wouldn't say non BMW part is better, I believe they can be as good. I stay away from bottom price units on amazon for $90-120 and stick to reputable cheaper than OEM brand like Rein. Again these are my experiences and opinions...I'm sure most people won't agree. I got part number REIN VCK01013, I paid like $230 from Rock Auto. I haven't installed it yet, but it looks good. The OEM part is like $600 and cracked...sure after 8 years but I doubt I'll have this car another 8 years.

Major General

Drives: E90 M3, F30 328i

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: San Francisco

The plastic gets brittle over time and heat cycles. That's why it is recommended to replace the valve cover with the gasket if you are doing it. The labor is the same.

The overall design of German cars makes the engine bay very hot. Japanese cars, especially older ones, don't use turbos, tons of sound deadening and plastic everywhere. On German cars, every gasket will eventually leak and will need to be replaced. Now with lots of plastic parts on newer cars, those parts will need to be replaced as well. If you live in a hot climate area, the problem is worse and these parts fail faster.

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Last edited by Z K; 05-10-2022 at 01:25 PM..

Registered

Drives: BMW 328i

Join Date: Jun 2022

Location: Florida

I have a 2015 BMW 328i and had the valve gasket replaced and repaired, labor was $850. My oxygen censor just went out due to possible oil leak and it was recommended to change the valve cover itself, only 9,000 miles after that valve gaskets. The previous repair said that it must of been ok, at the time, should it been offered during initial repair? would 9,000 make a significant difference?

I can haz cheezburger?

Drives: 12 F30/14 Sahara/15 F36

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash2eigh23

I have a 2015 BMW 328i and had the valve gasket replaced and repaired, labor was $850. My oxygen censor just went out due to possible oil leak and it was recommended to change the valve cover itself, only 9,000 miles after that valve gaskets. The previous repair said that it must of been ok, at the time, should it been offered during initial repair? would 9,000 make a significant difference?

Was this a dealer or independent repair shop? Either way you�re getting ripped off IMHO.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by RaptorKTM

Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion