BMW E90 N54 Valve Cover Gasket DIY

Please check out www.oembimmerparts.com to get your valve cover gasket.
Seems like BMW never manages to use a high enough quality rubber gasket that it won't leak before 100k miles. Oh well, this is just one of the common maintenance jobs that you need to do on any BMW. When the valve cover gasket leaks, the oil will get into the well in the middle that contains the spark plugs, coils, and fuel injectors. This can be bad because oil eats away at the rubber of the coil boots and deteriorate them.
I do want to mention that while you have the valve cover off, it is a good time to check your cam ledges to see if they are worn away yet. It is a very involved job and I definitely did it, of course, and I will be releasing a video on that next week so please stay tuned for that. Once that video is out, I will add a link to it here.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:07 Removing microfilter housing, cowl, and engine cover
00:02:09 OEMBimmerParts.com
00:02:44 Get wiring harness out of way
00:04:23 Remove air duct and air filter housing
00:06:02 Remove fuel lines & coils
00:07:31 Remove wiring harness
00:11:54 Remove fuel rail
00:13:56 Disconnect air pipe for CCV system
00:14:57 Remove valve cover
00:21:04 A word about why things look different
00:21:51 Why the valve cover was leaking
00:23:15 Installing the new gasket & putting cover back on
00:25:53 Torquing valve cover bolts
00:27:51 Reinstalling fuel rail & wiring harness
00:31:08 Reinstalling CCV pipe & fuel rails
00:32:34 Replacing wiring loom
00:33:53 Reinstalling air filter housing
00:35:00 Reinstalling engine cover, cowl, & microfilter housing
00:37:44 Wrap-up!
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@aaronpaul1436]

Don't own a e90 but I still be watching, learning the BMW ways

[@50sKid]

Thanks for watching, man

[@aaronpaul1436]

I have a e46 and e60 just changed out my fuel pump on my e46. Thank you.

[@jackdarcy6294]

can't believe how much easier it is to take off my e46 valve cover... this video has really given me an appreciation for my car!

[@50sKid]

Way easier indeed

[@maxbradley9534]

Gotta love progress!

[@michaelblacktree]

My thoughts exactly. Was thinking of doing an N52 swap in the E46, but now am having second thoughts.

[@dl1027]

All of these N54 videos make me glad I have an M54. Seems everything is so much easier on an M54 including this DIY

[@teangawarumatetaka6125]

Not that hard tbh.

[@kouyang22]

Great to see you again 50’s kid! Been wondering if you would ever do these videos again.

[@kevinsnoodlehouse]

Would be pretty interesting if you eventually did a manual swap on this car as well. Your videos definitely helped me out with the E46!

[@50sKid]

No one would watch that one either

[@Kurisutof4]

Nice video, very details oriented. Looking forward to see more on this N54.

[@chadriddle3517]

Jason you always make great detailed videos . Thanks

[@MrAjfish]

Another job I have to do on my e93 and it's all right here. Much appreciated mate.

[@nathanfrank9838]

All of your videos are the best repair videos

[@lefora87]

another great video thanks man..im always grabing some popcorn every time I watch your videos.

[@funfun5656]

Love the t-shirt! Also thanks for showing the trouble you had with the deep 10mms...it reminded me to buy some deeper sockets just in case before I started taking stuff apart and I I did need to use them.

[@semajharmon5777]

Also you are the man.. a lot of ppl are going to getting 335s for dirt cheap soon and they’ll be flocking to your vids especially this one. I bet this vid will have over 100k views in a couple months

[@abimmernut]

Another great DIY video Jason. Thanks

[@martymeyer4125]

Glad to see Jason is back? Now I can get a E90 and turn my E46 over to my son. Thank you, from DEADF15H

[@Bussdownbandit]

Cant wait for the next video! Thanks you for doing bmw gods work lmao

[@NEWAGenTChannel]

We love you buddy never stop!

[@lp2565]

Damn. Great video, Jason.

[@HaydenMiami]

Been waiting on this one! Thanks

[@uisperfectemail9720]

Waiting for your “How to replace bent N54 exhaust valves” episode, but this was a nice stroll to when times were simpler.

[@50sKid]

Aww, is that what happened to yours?

[@uisperfectemail9720]

@@50sKid Yes, a hard lesson on revving out a car with unrecognized lifter tick. It’s in the driveway waiting for me to pull the engine, and then the head...the internet my guiding light.

[@50sKid]

@@uisperfectemail9720 Bummer!

[@renatitorenatito1708]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO, GOOD JOB MEN, REALY YOU´RE MY HERO, REGARDS.

[@waynetomlison7735]

Great job

[@veritasaequitas9875]

Just did mine on my E46. I can recommend brake cleaning the gasket seat in the cover to thoroughly degrease it and a dot of Red RTV either side of each bolt and leave it for an hour to dry. Don't have to worry about it dropping out when seating it back on the head.

[@fryreartechnology7611]

I tend to use more verbal lubricant when would on my cars.

[@irvnegrin2211]

I filled the stripped plastic screw holes in the shroud for the cabin filter cover with jb weld plastic epoxy and let the self tapping screws do their job. Same should work for your stripped baffle screw holes.

[@geo745don]

Thanks

[@jonowen6612]

This is like a college class…in the best sense. Thank you Jason. PS I always watch your next video.

[@50sKid]

I do appreciate that!

[@FTN-tx6ok]

Great video. Super informative. I've done this job on my f32. Twice actually because I pinched the gasket the first time in the back of the valve cover. When are you doing the valve cleaning? Would really like to see how you do it. Thanks for the great videos!!

[@50sKid]

Pretty soon, pretty soon. I’d probably show both the chemical and walnut blast methods

[@uptownphotography]

Great info and well done. Question please: When you remove the engine cover, are the valve cover bolts visible so they can be inspected and/or tightened to spec if loose. Thanks. Phil

[@ProperRepair]

Despite me just being more convinced not to go down the N52 rabbit hole, don't worry, we'll be watching next week too :) But please, for the sake of my OCD, type Nm, not nM!

[@50sKid]

Whoops, I usually get that right

[@RE4L72]

I can’t disconnect the negative from the battery, removed the nut but it won’t budge. Mine looks different to lol hardest part hasn’t been the battery

[@Vinceshoxs24]

Do i really have to de pressured the fuel lines? My car has been sitting in the garage for 3 days cold? Thanks

[@kennethaldea2066]

hello, looking to change my valve cover gasket, should i also replace my valve cover or will i be fine just changing the gasket

[@dapencilshinobi]

Wait, wouldn’t you want to check if the silver fuel thing doesn’t leak first before you put the covers on?

[@CrazyOneToo]

Wish your sponsor carried parts for a Z4

[@blaze_xeren5093]

He didn’t really have to do all of that but that is easier way to have more room

[@thebestsoccer2063]

Hi i got a 2008 535xi the last owner said she changed the valve cover but this is leaking any way i can send you the pictures to confirm? I no want spend thousands

[@seanpaul3050]

Much easier to do this job if you take the engine out first 😁 You could then do all the other gaskets and seals all at the same time

[@Bussdownbandit]

Of course captain obvious lol The common diy’er wouldnt do that he just tryna help the regular diy’er

[@seanpaul3050]

@@Bussdownbandit yeah I know. It’s just there’s a lot of work doing all the gaskets in these engines Oil sump gasket Oil filter housing gasket Oil cooler gasket Valve cover gasket Coolant hose gasket Crankshaft seals Manifold gaskets Etc

[@50sKid]

That was a funny joke

[@semajharmon5777]

LISTEN TO THE AD!!! Highly suggest you use oembimmer parts for your car I used them for my e46 325 my z3 AND 4 and have now been using them for my e92 m3.. NEVER had a problem with anything have never had to send anything back always what I ordered.

[@jhncvngh]

Thank you Mr. Jason what did you happen to your arm with bandage?

[@50sKid]

Burned myself on a dutch oven while making sourdough bread

[@jhncvngh]

@@50sKid Ok thanks

[@sixdegrees6434]

I just discovered oil in the coolant bottle. There is no water in the engine oil though and it’s not using excessive engine oil. I don’t want to change the head gasket if I don’t have to. Is there any other place oil could into the coolant?

[@50sKid]

The turbo charger and the automatic transmission cooler

[@sixdegrees6434]

@@50sKid no turbo, ‘99 323i. Thank you for the tip, I’ll have a look at the transmission cooler

[@hiiamyu]

Just a friendly reminder: did you pick up whatever that was dropped at 19:21?

[@50sKid]

I think that was the sound me setting the tool down!

[@hiiamyu]

@@50sKid Hello Jason. Please have a look at the top of the engine. Close to the 6th cylinder spark plug well.

[@ivorgotten2368]

It looked like a washer, and it went straight down No5 plug hole.

[@50sKid]

Oh, haha, I believe that was one of the nuts that hold on one of the 3 ground lugs. It didn't fall in a cylinder, it just fell between them and I definitely recovered it. Thanks!

[@TedSchoenling]

you'd think they would come up with better gaskets.... I've had a Nissan V6 with 270K miles that never leaked.. A ford V6 with 150K that never leaked and a Kia V6 with 120K that never leaked. My e46 leaked 2x then I had to replace the entire cover.. granted it has 200K miles on it now.. but still....

[@yashargholinia7440]

How about diesel?

[@50sKid]

Should be the same

i'm always scared to even look at the bolts under the hood, meanwhile 50sKid:

[@31acruz]

YOU DID NOT USE ANY RTV SEALER?

[@Winter1256]

No need

[@robertcoyle9071]

A well designed gasket shouldn't need it. But this is the second VC gasket this things had in what...140K miles so there's that.

[@50sKid]

There is no need to use RTV. The gasket is the gasket. You don't need another gasket. Be kind to the next guy who has to do the job.

[@50sKid]

There is a moment where I explain that the missing bolt is what caused the leak

[@ohgerald]

Other DIY videos do not mention using sealer. Might be harder next time trying to get it out and clean it up. This was my first DIY on my 2007 335xi - it just would have been a PITA IMO if one had to clean up any additional crap in the mating surfaces esp in those hard to reach areas.

[@Winter1256]

No impact on those plastic threads

[@50sKid]

i'm careful 😬

[@Winter1256]

@@50sKid 100%

[@robertcoyle9071]

And they're still made of plastic!

[@50sKid]

lol of course

[@robertcoyle9071]

@@50sKid aside from weight and cost savings, what do you suppose is BMWs reason? Is expansion rate lower for plastic vs aluminum?

[@50sKid]

@@robertcoyle9071 No it's just for weight and cost.

[@traubengott9783]

Well they used Magnesium on the N52 cover. Was expensive as fuck. I hope mine is still ok and only the gasket brittled up.

[@franklinbalbuena7813]

If you dont have proper tools , then your screwed.

[@waynetomlison7735]

Great job