BMW E30 M42 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement DIY Guide

Note: THE USE OF THIS DIY IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. I DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR INJURIES THAT RESULT FROM ANY USE OF THE EXAMPLES, INSTRUCTIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS DIY.

[@2Brian]

This is exactly what I needed to watch. Thank you for making and sharing this. My e30: the #3 plug well has a bit of fresh oil in it, and I'm fairly certain that it's a leaky VCG. Otherwise, no problems-- runs great, no burning oil or white smoke.

[@TedProMarket]

thank you , I had to do it twice so just put silicon on all round

[@Bairdogg]

Super helpful, thank you very much!

[@razgabor]

Better to use a cloth towel as the paper can break off and get stuck down the plug hole.

[@MonkeyBarsEveryday]

Thanks for posting

[@hiboost2453]

What the torque specs for the bolts

[@23tomi23]

does the m42 engine have oil supply seal like m44 and are you suppose to wait for the silicone to dry?

[@BluePurpleRed]

Yes. and yes, wait.

[@23tomi23]

@@BluePurpleRed Are you sure about the seal? I found online that oil supply seal (part number 11121247948) is only on m44 engine close to the upper slide rail (for the chain), where is it on the m42?

[@BluePurpleRed]

I should have been more clear. Yes wait for silicone to dry. I am not familiar with the M44.

[@BluePurpleRed]

@@23tomi23 Perhaps you are correct. While similar the M44 and the M42 are clearly not the same.

[@j.f.aristaran214]

Great vid. Thanks. Some questions or doubts that I have. Do you know tightening torque for the cover bolts? Any bolt tightening pattern? As I watch in your vid, sealant only in curved sections? Thank you. Very useful and instructive job.

[@BluePurpleRed]

There is a pattern, you want to hand tigthen them down, and then use the following guide for the sequence. www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbmwm4usa.blogspot.com%2F2020%2F06%2Fbmw-m42-head-gasket.html&psig=AOvVaw2fluPeJtjHPvlMoRQ5pyO-&ust=1608835582421000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLiJn-Lh5O0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

[@dpgc9]

Can you use permatex for gasket sealant? Really helped me do mine! Cheers

[@Nikolayski1337]

Thank you!

[@BluePurpleRed]

Glad to help!

[@selespeed3]

i have a lot of oil in the plug wells of the first 3 cylinders. does this problem cause misfiring?

[@BluePurpleRed]

It doesn't help!

[@samer4977]

thanks for the posting but i wanna ask you about m42 engine .. does it has a vanos and what you think of this engine ??

[@BluePurpleRed]

This is a few generations before VANOS. I love my buzzy M42!

[@Nightfly1957]

Well done, but be careful when You replace the chip.

[@Solaar_Punk]

What chip?