Complete DIY: N55 Valve Cover Gasket Repair

[@Streamlined955]

A BMW dealer “fixed” my valve cover leak when it was under warranty and they ONLY replaced the gaskets. Now a couple years later it leaks again and it’s no longer under warranty. I’d say everyone should replace the valve covers or you could be re-doing the job fairly soon.

[@Alex-po3rr]

By far the best video I have seen on doing this job. Thank you so much for taking your time to get the camera in the right angle and all the details and knowledge you put into it. I can assure you it is very much appreciated!

[@vamp28k]

Getting this done by local workshop this week and this video helped me understand why it's a $1400 job

[@Nolimitf22]

Its literally not worth $1400 This is a fairly easy job

[@KingT.Challa]

It’s a solid 8/10 if you’re not a wrencher. That’s only because you have to pay attention and not break what you’re doing. It’s a 3/10 if you are a wrencher and that’s only because it’s a little time consuming. Definitely not worth $1400. FCPeuro carries the Elring brand valve cover kit for $350. Take your time and it’s at most a half day worth of work.

[@brianmclendon1647]

Love your videos man, so detailed and easy to understand. I bought an M235 and the previous owner did not maintain it at all, so it needed a lot of work and I could not have gotten it back in good running order without your videos. Thank you so much for what you do!!!

[@FritzRamos]

Thank you happy to help, but don't give me too much credit. Your hads were the ones that did the fixing and now I hope you get to enjoy your car.

[@charlesberry4958]

Great job,. The number 20 bolt on the valve cover, that black plastic trim you left on by the firewall, easily comes off and you have direct access to the bolt.

[@FritzRamos]

Thank you! That's good to know. Thanks for sharing! 🤜🤛

[@AzamNaqvi]

Used this video NONSTOP over the course of 6 hours this past Sunday replacing my valve cover and gasket. Thanks so much dude!! Also, damn you for being able to get the valve cover on so easily 🤣 took me and my buddy a solid 20 minutes tryna position it over/around/under the oil lines

[@FritzRamos]

Anytime! 20 mins is better than having to oldo it twice lol.

[@corywalker4078]

Hey Fritz what was the symptom that made you want to repair the valve covers? I'm assuming oil was coming out?

[@FritzRamos]

I was getting oil vapors coming through my air vents. Then I just had to find the leak

[@JordanLagoFilms]

Amazing repair breakdown! Thank you. I might actually want to attempt to replace my cover after watching this. I have noticed mine has started to leak slightly at 120k mi.

[@Adrian-sw3nv]

One thing to add here is to clean the oil squirter for the valvetronics unit under the valve cover. Thanks for the video!

[@grocerylist]

This looks pretty intense. About how long would you estimate it took you? Did you have leaking around the valve cover or was this preventative? I've got a 2016 thats approaching 60k miles. Havent has to do the OFHG yet but I've got the kit waiting. Have you also reolaced the coolant pump on yours?

[@mikehub6664]

I'm ocd and would do it your way for a valve cover leak. That being said I've seen great success with rubber gaskets and rubber o-ring seepage using ATP-205 for those who don't have the time or money and need to wait. Pros it doesn't interact with the oil or change its viscosity and does not swell seals, it will at max go back oem size or sightly under and restores the durometer of the rubber. Also a great refresher for all rubber components. Cons it evaporates quick, in my experience get the engine warmed up before adding and circulate it well then let it sit overnight. That is usually enough to get the gaskets to seal again.

[@ol_gor]

Great video Fritz, was waiting for this one 😄

[@FritzRamos]

Thank you. I hope it was worth the wait

[@triplea7668]

Very nice DIY video. I am about to do this on the E70 N55. I did one before on the N52 on the E92 with a little extra work on the back cowling area. I hope the X5 bay clearance is a little easier. Man your engine bay is cleaner and neater than my closet.

[@jg_media9]

Epic video bro super thorough and informative 👌

[@FritzRamos]

Thanks man. Glad you found it helpful. Happy new year!

[@Shogun1982]

This is giving me PTSD flashbacks to when I replaced my valve cover+gaskets on my M235i as well. 😄 Just sitting here watching and reliving EVERY STEP in my mind, lol. Great job, sir!!!!👍🏾

[@rik3736]

Getting this done now was wondering is the breather hose and ccv vent hose the same ?

[@TheHunterHofman]

Extensive and detailed as always Fritz, well done! Too lazy to look it up myself at the moment, but is this process (basically) the same as with the S55? Might give that a try soon too. Looks like fun. Thanks again and look forward to the next one.

[@EdgarRodriguez-tg4hq]

Where did you get the valve cover from ? Links please

[@wisekama]

Thanks for your nice arranged guide for the valve cover replacement. I have a 2013 X3 F25. How different will that be from this video? and what's the replacement kit from?

[@ChristianNg]

Which valve cover did you buy? I need to do mine

[@shadking4924]

Just got mine done today valve cover and gasket thanks for the video men I did one little mistake Iwas confused because of Nm,inch pounds , foot pounds , so I over tightened all 26 screws and then realized I loosened it all following the sequence and torqued it to the right amount will that be a problem in the future

[@FritzRamos]

How tight did you set them?

[@shadking4924]

@@FritzRamos8.5 foot pounds 🤦‍♂️

[@shadking4924]

But then I realized after the 20TH bolt and started following the sequence backwards and started loosening them very carefully and torque it to 6.2 foot pounds which equals to 8.5 NM and 6.6 foot pounds for bolt number 20 because it’s 9NM

[@shadking4924]

I hope nothing happened as there was no oil leak or anything after turning the car on, and do you know why I got a parking sensor malfunctioning after doing this

[@shadking4924]

@FritzRamos

[@radiomaster200]

What are your thoughts on aluminum ones?

[@FritzRamos]

Too many mixed reviews for the uncertainty and price point, but if FCP Euro offered it I would have gotten it.

[@radiomaster200]

@@FritzRamos yeah I’ve seen too many mixed reviews, just sucks how the valve cover is plastic

[@pignapoke6772]

Is it necessary to remove the fuel line or can I just remove the three X lines that cross the valve cover? And the oil line? Doesnt look like it’s in my way. Working on 2011 x3 35i turbo. No idea how I’m gonna reach 20 and 21 in back access is horrible. I must be missing something

[@FritzRamos]

My lines were connected to the rail so I removed it. The oil line just gives you more room to take out and put in the valve cover. As for 20 and 21 the 1/4in e torx set with a Wobble should do the trick

[@maxwellharlow6849]

Great Video. Fritz I’m struggling to find much information on upgrading the clutch on m235i/m135i. For stage 1 around 400bhp do you have to upgrade the clutch on manual variants?

[@RentableSocks]

Planning on replacing my valve cover on my 4 series with one of the aluminum ones, but I'm missing the little nubs that hold the engine cover in place. Do you have any idea what they're called? I've tried "engine cover studs" and several permutations of that, but haven't had any luck.

[@hyde_official]

why didn't you opt for aluminum cover?

[@FritzRamos]

I couldn't find one at a reasonable price that had solid reviews.

[@supergoat94]

I replaced mine a few months ago on my 335 at 112k. Valve cover itself seemed ok, but I went ahead and replaced that too just to be safe.

[@Streamlined955]

How long did it take?

[@markk2060]

Awesome job! Great attention to detail. Thanks for posting.

[@FritzRamos]

Thanks for the support. Hope it was helpful

[@Hiei999]

Bro I don't have to do this, and hopefully I don't have to (1 owner, 2014 all maintenance done at a BMW dealer or specific reputable Bimmer garage ODO under 65k). But I am truly grateful these exist. I can absolutely do this shit! Thanks man. Alsso, pros/cons to going metal (aluminum)? Ease and price, are there benefits to going to metal over plastic? Not familiar with this job. ALSO also, GIMME DAT ALUMINUM BRACE LINK!!!

[@rjohnson009]

Hi Fritz - love your videos - super informative. At about 6:10 in this video it appears you have a slightly modified breather hose. I installed a Pure Turbos turbo inlet and would like to know what modification you have done with your breather hose. Thanks again for your great work!

[@MothmanBePraised]

Gasket is going bad on my M2, this looks like a daunting experience. Not too sure my abilities are in line for this project

[@FritzRamos]

It looks more intimating than it actually is. Just take your time and make sure you have serveral and lots of table space and trays to hold all the parts so it's easier to stay organized.

[@MothmanBePraised]

Going to watch this a few more times while the part and some of the tools I need arrive. Thanks for the words of support, they definitely help with encouragement ahahah.

[@FritzRamos]

@@MothmanBePraised you got this! Since I was filming, I actually broke it up into 2 days so don't feel rushed and if you need anything else just ask.

[@MothmanBePraised]

Hey Fritz thanks for the video it helped immensely. Purchased a few items from your links as a way of saying thank you. Had a small hiccup though, that front oil line clip slipped into the engine never to be seen again. Checked out junk yards there's no cars that are compatible, would you know where I could find it online?

[@FritzRamos]

@@MothmanBePraised thank you! I appreciate that. The e one that holds the 2 lines from the oil thermostat that's held in by the 10mm?

[@adem335i8]

Did you buy an OEM or aftermarket valve cover?

[@FritzRamos]

OE. So basically oem, just without the branding

[@adem335i8]

@@FritzRamos which brand if i may ask? Any links?

[@EdgarRodriguez-tg4hq]

Links ? I need one ASAP

[@EdgarRodriguez-tg4hq]

@FritzRamos

[@adammcallister5047]

Elring. Check Rock Auto. You can see it in his shopping list in the video near the beginning.

[@umairs21]

Any tips on getting that breather hose back in. It was a struggle to get it out but even bigger struggle to get it back in. The bottom portion is being a pain

[@philmedor13]

silicone grease is your best friend

[@xXmoemoneyXx]

Wait I don’t use RTV with this valve cover?

[@FritzRamos]

Nope

[@TurboTalksTv-]

This is a 17 minute video which just has taken me 8 hours to do. I’ve locked the boot and it won’t open so that’s the next thing 😂

[@j.c.ubagox873]

Next video valve cover for N20

[@FritzRamos]

When the time comes

[@j.c.ubagox873]

@@FritzRamos Have you ever had the code P0171?

[@tkflex2332]

🤯

[@harryj1081]

im sorry, i focused so much on your video that i even forgot to thumb up...fuck the dealer, you are the dealer.

[@FritzRamos]

Don't worry about it. Hope it helped.