DIY F30 BMW 328i Valve Cover replacement (gasket) N20 (N26) engine

[@vladtem8855]

From a former BMW master technician ; Great job on this repair you explained the repair perfect!

[@Zeiten]

Thank you, appreciate your feedback

[@Everybodyshinetogether1]

How much is the average cost for this at a shop?

[@rayisdashit]

Can you change the PCV Diaphragm on a 2014 328i xdrive without cutting it? I'd like to know.

[@BMW-tr3nf]

In my eyes it looks like a difficult job. I now can see you technicians are highly skilled and deserve the $$ you get for these jobs. Well done👌👍

[@noahzm_]

You my man deserve way more subs keep killing it 🙌🏻

[@Zeiten]

Thank you, doing my best to share most valuable diys🙌

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Bravo, Tim! My wife has the N20 so this will be very useful information. Your N52 oil pan gasket really made a difference on my car this year 👍🏻

[@Zeiten]

Glad to hear it, thank you for watching👍

[@Hyytekk]

Thanks for your time and knowledge sharing. This is perhaps the best video on replacement ive seen. Appreciate also your calm manner and detailed advise. Other videos seem to love to fast forward clips to save time, of course, but accompany those clips with pulsating rock music! For a nervous DIYer all we need is more stress and tension showing the process! Anyway, awesome job. Ill be attempting my 228i soon. Im replacing my injectors soon also. Since all is already disassembled, i imagine it might be best to do both. Or perhaps doing my injectors first will give me greater confidence and familiarity for the larger job of cover replacement. Thanks for your great job!

[@Zeiten]

Happy to help🙌 is there any reason for injectors replacement?

[@Hyytekk]

@@Zeiten I had a misfire code using my cheap Carly code reader. I just bought a much better XTool D8S scanner so will run a diagnostic and see if the injectors are acting up for certain. I keep hearing that with 100,000 miles it's not a bad idea to replace anyway. Are you in the camp of, if it's not really broken no need to address it? BTW, very kind of you to reply. I'm a grizzled senior citizen who tries to fix and build everything myself because it's so tough to find anyone honest or who really knows what they're doing! Thanks again so much. I'll be going through all your videos now to glean your advise.!

[@Zeiten]

@Hyytekk happy to help, i’d say there is no need for injectors replacement if they are fully functional. There are plenty of reasons for misfire, get a reading it will point you to some direction for sure

[@Hyytekk]

Thank you again for your kind reply. I'll be mentioning your channel to my BMW owner friends. You deserve a much wider audience. Stay well.

[@Zeiten]

@Hyytekk thank you, come back with updates😉

[@mohammadmusa9901]

The vacuum line is basically what I’m talking about !

[@Zaque-TV]

Good videos! My only request is that the camera person needs to get in there and show stuff better. At least momentarily for bolt locations

[@madmikescustomDaily]

Yo bro I just wanted to say that the video you made is really good I think it’s the only thing I had to say about the video is that you don’t explain how dangerous the fuel can be in about not working on the vehicle when it’s hot it’s only work on it when it’s cold when you’re using fuel rails or removing them at least in high-pressure fuel pump I need that’s what I learned in my OSHA class

[@madmikescustomDaily]

Awesome job with the video though man you’re a really good European mechanic I see you’re one of the top top mechanics I’ve ever seen next to myself so big props bro

[@fernandosolorzano5430]

Thank you. Very useful and detailed video

[@Zeiten]

Happy to help👍

[@aleung1946]

You are number one you deserve every thing ,you are the best

[@VIKRAMJAI1]

Great Job!!!!!! I would just release one side of the hood gas struts and pull the hood up higher. Gives a bunch more room.

[@juicewurld9876]

Great job’ will do this work next week ordered my valve cover now

[@Zeiten]

Awesome, if you’ll have any questions you can ask here😉

[@stellarosa9121]

Tovarish...in terms of reliability and maintenance how would you compare n51/52 with n26...? Possible light track use... Thanks for great videos!!

[@scottcrawford4148]

Great tutorial and helpful repair suggestions!

[@Zeiten]

Thank you🙌

[@valuablesnagger3933]

Really great video saved me a lot thanks!!

[@user-phearle]

Key point: show the tightening sequence for the valve cover bolts to avoid uneven stress which will cause it to crack. The new pcv dont seem to have vacum line that was temoved from the old cover. Some earlier engine covers have vacum reservoir attached.

[@fluffyosj10]

May I know that hair line crack will make it lose it some oil as well? Did u notice any oil leak near the hairline? Tq.

[@ComebackRunner]

Can u replace vaccum pump at same time? Anything special for that?

[@Zeiten]

Yes you can, you remove it anyway nothing special

[@nicolasl482]

Can a cracked valve cover cause the ccv to fail and make the car smoke trough the tailpipes?

[@elizabethsticky6761]

Tim do you recommend replacing the valve cover on a 70k miles or should I just do the gasket. It has begun to leak.

[@Zeiten]

Well there is no clear answer, as a diy project i would opt out to whole new valve cover as a technician i would inspect it for cracks if there are none i would just do the gaskets

[@stellarosa9121]

Thx for another great video!! I.hope I don't need to do it soon, but with bmw plastic use , you never know...any service/repair manual you can recommend? I just bought 2016 228i and can't even find a Bently/haynes or anything, just some ebay CD' seem available....Thx!!

[@Zeiten]

Can’t really recommend anything regarding the manuals, more videos will follow so you might be able to apply those to your car😉

[@Alba_BestiaF30]

The VC you linked from eBay, does it come with all the seals/gaskets? Or do I have to buy the vacuum pump separately as you mentioned

[@Zeiten]

It has all the seals except valvetronic motor seal which i can include if you request it

[@Alba_BestiaF30]

Awesome, I will get back to you on that soon. I need to find a shop to do the job as the dealer quoted me $2300

[@Zeiten]

@Ogee22 do it yourself and save a ton of money😉

[@Alba_BestiaF30]

@@Zeiten you got a point ! That vacuum pump has me second guessing myself though 😅

[@Zeiten]

@Alba_BestiaF30 it’s very doable don’t waste money😉 you can also become a channel member and I’ll provide one on one guidance if something goes wrong or if you have questions in regards of how to do something

[@Opasridingjourney]

Where do you buy all your BMW parts?

[@Don-rx3wx]

Great video. Subscribed!👍

[@Zeiten]

Thank you🙌

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

It's a great video our 2016 320 cover doesn't leak but at 150000km+ I watched your video as a preventive measure! I'm surprised the pcv membrane still works just fine. Of all the alternative brands you mentioned do they all use the same material?

[@sergeykazannik4530]

Красава! Работы на открытом воздухе 😅

[@Zeiten]

Так и живем😂

[@rafaelbetancourt3551]

@Zeiten I have been doing oil changes every 6k miles on my 2017 BMW X3, currently have 74k miles on my engine. Would that extebd the life of the timing chain? ( N20 engine same as the 3 series) Thank you

[@Zeiten]

(Timing chain guides) Not really, but i wouldn’t worry about it much in 2017 a few updated have been made so it is much better than 2013-14 models . Don’t overthink it

[@rafaelbetancourt3551]

@@Zeiten Thank you for the tip! The timing chain is the main thing I am afraid, I love the car and want to put 200k on it so I just want to do all I can to make it last.

[@Zeiten]

Once it fails - fix it other than that nothing to worry about, 5-6k miles oil change intervals are good keep it that way

[@24jcsor]

What brand was that valve cover you installed? Also, what sequence you tightened the cover screws and what newton meter was used?

[@Zeiten]

Elring, it will have all the answers in regards of torque and sequence inside

[@24jcsor]

@@Zeiten Thank you very much Z, I appreciate your content.

[@Zeiten]

@24jcsor happy to help👍

[@juliovazquez9056]

I did this and now I’m getting a misfire. Any ideas why?

[@inguss4891]

Hi! I have just purchased BGA seal mate told it’s trusted 😉your advice mate?

[@Zeiten]

Never heard of it and never used it, can’t tell, I found a product that doesn’t fail and i use it, that’s elring on all bmws

[@inguss4891]

@@Zeiten thanks for replying BGA is a bit more expensive than Elring but will test it how good 👍🏻 cheers 🤘🏻

[@liliarubio614]

Hey! I am now not sure if to replace the cover or not I hav the smoke coming out from my engine for a while now and it scares me. I have a 328i coupe and it runs great but sometime the light goes on and off .

[@Zeiten]

Well, 328i coupe has different engine (it’s e92 body type) for that check out valve cover gasket replacement on e90 you can find this diy on this channel, with n52 engine which you have usually valve cover gasket replacement is all you need

[@jackpotjoshua]

Hey Tim, question, one of my o2 sensor plugs just won’t budge. I’m obviously doing something wrong, can you tell me the step by step on how to unplug it. Yes I got the other one off, but tbh, now I’m wondering how I did it

[@Zeiten]

Depending on the year there are 2 types of connectors, later models use a pin that you have to slide out and then disconnect

[@jackpotjoshua]

Haha thanks. Mine had one of each.

[@limaiemheykel]

What about torque specs/sequence for the valve cover?

[@Zeiten]

When you buy elring valve cover you’ll find all of those instructions inside

[@hjamiletacuna9312]

The vacuum pump has a pivot on the left side with a hose but it is disconnected, where is that hose connected?

[@tvolex]

i saw aluminium valve cover for n20 on some marketplace, what you can say about it?

[@Zeiten]

Complete garbage, don’t recommend at all

[@tonypagan7468]

Quick question I was wondering if that noise normal for this cars ?I seeing a few of this cars and they all sound like that

[@jesusdominguez6427]

BMW 328i 2013 and 2014 make that noise. 2015 and newer NO

[@johnvega2528]

Auto zone and orileys sell the gasket under the brand MAHLE have you ever used this brand are they good ?

[@Zeiten]

Yes it’s ok

[@RandomVidz9_]

Hi nice video, one question I have is the top of valve cover where the pcv is u didn’t reattach the hose ( 6:22 ) , I ordered a new valve cover but I can tell the little hose thing won’t fit, I’m wondering if I should just remove it but the thing is that little hose goes to the side of engine air filter box so idk if it’s important or not, pls lmk asap, thank u

[@Zeiten]

New valve covers don’t need this vacuum line, just remove it

[@RandomVidz9_]

@@Zeiten ok so do I just leave the little thing on the engine air filter box open where the tiny hose/vacuum line used to go or cover it up with something, cuz I’m wondering if it might suck little bit of air from that little opening or would it not matter at all

[@Zeiten]

Leave it or plug it doesn’t matter at all, it’s before maf sensor so doesn’t affect air/fuel ratio

[@RandomVidz9_]

@@Zeiten ok thanks, will be doing the valve cover soon, wish me luck

[@ALBERTORODRIGUEZ-w7i]

Hello my mechanic broke the vacuum hose on top of valve cover please could you tell me where is that connect From valve covert to where??

[@Zeiten]

Air filter box

[@jj917823]

Hey I noticed that you removed a vacuum at the top of the valve cover (6:22) but you never put it back. Is that vacuum line necessary? Also, the new valve cover you put on has a flat outlet for the vacuum line rather than the green circular outlet on the old valve cover. Does that outlet have to be exactly the same for me to put the vacuum line back?

[@Zeiten]

New valve covers have updated pcv system that doesn’t require this vacuum line so just remove it

[@WayedM3]

Hey I just ordered my valve cover gasket from Amazon ? Is it good ?

[@jesusdominguez6427]

no

[@WayedM3]

@@jesusdominguez6427 stfu it was good

[@jessegutierrez9266]

Repaired in the streets... straight Gee

[@jackpotjoshua]

Also, how small of a T40 are we talking about, there is literally no room back there

[@Zeiten]

Drill bit small, you can find what i used in any autoparts store most likely

[@JoeyKamlleyJasonReed]

What about the PCV vacuum hose ?

[@bandwalkin5472]

What did you find out about it I’ve tried to figure this out as well?!

[@Don_Latino]

I’m one of your new subscribers, please i want to buy 2013 BMW X5, which engine will you advice me to go for? I will be waiting for you

[@Zeiten]

I’d say xdrive35i, the best gasoline engine

[@DanielMercado-vi6em]

How much for that valve cover cost

[@raouldelgado81]

I did chance my cover but is rough idling

[@frankhicarrasquel3660]

I need a valve gasket replacement for a 2012 328i coupe

[@Zeiten]

Then check another video for that on this channel, you have n52 engine

[@johnvega2528]

Can I reuse the screws for the fuel pump ?

[@Zeiten]

Of course

[@johnvega2528]

Going to atttempt this tomorrow wish me luck

[@Zeiten]

🙌

[@nathanaelperez2295]

Valvule pulv?

[@jackpotjoshua]

One more question, So I followed everything and put everything back. Every plug is plugged and every bolt is replaced. But now, Car keeps turning over and shaking and dying. And I have a drivetrain malfunction, am I in limp mode and need to clear the code or is something wrong?

[@Zeiten]

Well i can 100% guarantee you missed something, go over everything you’ve done if there were no codes before the repair there should be none after

[@jackpotjoshua]

@@Zeiten okay, so unplugged everything and re did it. Car runs, idles smoothly, but I have Drivetrain Malfunction and error codes P15DF, P0202, and P0087.

[@Zeiten]

Clear it, that from the time when you missed something most likely

[@jackpotjoshua]

@@Zeiten I have repeatedly and it keeps coming back. I’m checked it all and it’s connected no loose ends.

[@Zeiten]

Have you checked connection on fuel rail sensor in the e back, and injectors?

[@johnvega2528]

After doing this I now have a drive Terrain malfunction! What should I do ?

[@Zeiten]

As i said before you pinched the gasket, you have to remove valve cover and redo it, the bolt that you broke should be easily removable

[@johnvega2528]

@@Zeitencould it be a bad coil tho? Or is it just that there are to many leaks cause of the bad gasket ?

[@johnvega2528]

@@Zeiten so I think I found where it’s pinched I can see it ! Would this bring the car out of limp mode after repaired again ?

[@johnvega2528]

And could oil have leaks down to the turbo and damaged it ? It was fine yesterday my first attempt but this morning the car went into limp mode

[@Zeiten]

If it wasn’t in it before the job then sure

[@paulgilliland2992]

GetBMW original BMW have that entire kit for $369.00’valve cover with rear seal . If anyone is interested.

[@jimforsyth2.]

Why are you replacing the whole valve cover . Age . Damage or just to show us how .

[@Zeiten]

This one was cracked and i show where exactly in this video, very common for n20/26 engines

[@buildandbreak1080]

What about unpluging the battery

[@Zeiten]

Disconnect the negative

[@Babyboysosaa]

Looks like norwalk

[@Zeiten]

Well you are correct😁

[@raouldelgado81]

@@Zeitenhey i change my valve cover on my 2015 bmw x1 and after o put everything back together its idle very rough every thing is plug in i even change the coils but still the same

[@MrLinkinho]

I did everything accordingly, bought from bilstein, same model, no vacum line on top, when I finished and turned the car back on, there is a strange almost whining noise from the air box and the car is iddleling crazy

[@Zeiten]

Has nothing to do with vacuum line, have you replaced whole valve cover or just a seal? Retrace your steps you getting air leak somewhere, spot where vacuum line goes on air filter box is before maf sensor so it doesn’t matter, simply put you can remove whole air filter box and leave just maf sensor and the car will run just fine

[@MrLinkinho]

@@Zeiten turbo sounds are crazy too

[@MrLinkinho]

I replaced whole valve cover, drivetrain malfunction light popped up too

[@Zeiten]

The best thing you can do is take everything apart and do it again, check your charge pipe to turbo sometimes it breaks right on turbo creating massive air leak

[@MrLinkinho]

@@Zeiten wastegate is working like crazy too, any ideia what it could be, it was driving fine previously, awesome video by the way

[@johnvega2528]

I just did this job and it won’t stop smoking and the O2 sensor went off engine light turned on

[@Zeiten]

You pinched the gasket, redo it

[@johnvega2528]

I literally can’t because on of the screws for the valve cover snapped off

[@johnvega2528]

What do I do !!?

[@Zeiten]

Remove the valve cover extract the screw hope there is no damage to the thread, if you just broke the top there is no tension anymore and you should be able to remove it by just turning with pick tools but all of that after you remove valve cover

[@johnvega2528]

@@Zeiten it’s already screwed down probably around around 6.5 - 7 nm just the top of the bolt popped off I can’t take off the valve cover Without unscrewing it first

[@johnvega2528]

Please help me !!