E46/E39 M54 Valve Cover Gasket & Spark Plugs DIY

Welcome to ShoplifeTV!
In today's DIY I show how to replace the valve cover gasket (VCG) and the spark plugs on an e46. This process is virtually the same for most of BMW's inline 6 engines. If you have any questions feel free to message me on social media or comment down below.
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Disclaimer: Not sponsored Disclaimer: The product links provided are often associated with an affiliate. When using any of the affiliate links I may get compensated for any products purchased using the link. This compensation does not affect my views on the product.

[@dosvaskosfarms4643]

You have saved my well over $2K by DIY with your video's. Keep up the great work, we really appreciate your sharing BMW knowledge

[@charlieyang6474]

I recently purchased an E46...and I'm learning a lot from your videos. Keep 'em coming, bro.

[@victorogorman4229]

Qq1

[@jujagthemag]

This guy is the best. The detail is truly educational. I’m poised to save hundreds on this job.

[@philiparnold517]

Ive recently bought a 325i coupe Msport after my 318se cracked its coolant tank and dumped all the coolant and cooked the engine before i realised. Only to discover later that all BMWs have this happen as you said in one of coolant videos. Ive did a lot of jobs using a Haynes manual but you are my new Haynes manual. Can I say you instructional Videos are TOP CLASS. One of if the best Ive seen. You explain all the " Gotchas " and obviously know your stuff. Thank you so much.

[@JMUDoc]

I just did my coolant tank and swapped the 2.0 bar cap for a 1.4 bar - you want the cap to vent before the tank explodes, and 2 bar is far too high for any system with a tank, in the opinion of many mechanics.

[@tonymeneses7068]

Thank you! I own a E46 and you are the most complete video guide I have found!

[@Chris.Activity]

I agree with NOT using rtv/gasket maker on these. I had put some on the corners of the half moons and 2 of the 4 half moons were leaking with a fresh gasket. Re-did the job with no rtv, and it has a tight seal with no leaks.

[@johnbecich9540]

The young moderator is a fine mechanic and an excellent tutor. I greatly appreciate numerous details and tips... too easily glossed over, by some tutors. "8 millimeter" this, and "10 millimeter" that; "don't break it; it's brittle" all appreciated. The only constructive criticisms I can muster are towards videography: The camera, though well managed, could be positioned higher, and looking down; and you need more light in deep, dark, flat-black places. Engines are tough to video, as they have shiny metal and flat black, even dirty components. You might also zoom in and out, occasionally. I pressure blasted my M54 engine (same as your engine) in advance of this work, to make handwork more pleasant. Blasted (ONLY at a proper car wash, which has an industrial waste clarifier) many times, actually, as I hunted down the source of foul oily smoke, on recently-acquired BMW 525i... model year 2002, early version. Moreover I removed the vanity covers and pressure blasted the work area, where all those coil-on-plug modules lie; no problem at all; I drove the car immediately afterwards. Thanks for telling us to not bother with gasket sealer (overkill) on a proper Felspro rubber gasket.

[@yuliamostert5955]

Just wanted to say I’m grateful for your excellent videos! Did my vanos, solenoids, valve cover gasket, and spark plugs on my Z3 3.0 M54 today, and if it wasn’t for your videos I would be lost! Very detailed and well filmed, referenced them many times with greasy hands on my phone today! Even though some of the placements and parts around the engine were slightly different I was still confident I was getting the inner basics right...Thank you bro you’re amazing! Cheers!

[@ryangh5631]

Hey how hard was it doing the valve cover gasket, and spark plugs? How long did it take? Thanks

[@yuliamostert5955]

@@ryangh5631 Hi Ryan, that part was pretty easy.. I’m no qualified mechanic so it took a while, maybe 3 hours was for those, but just keep your bolts and coils all laid out in order neatly then clean any gunk inside the valve cover before putting on the gasket.. and then just work step by step backwards to put it all back together again... if yours is a Z3 then the engine bay has less cables to move out of the way and is easier to access the bolts on the valve cover, plus there’s no air filter in the way to remove. But I was surprised at the basic ease of the whole job (was a bit hesitant at first), but well worth the effort and satisfaction to do it yourself :) All the best!

[@RCEQC]

I know it's been years since anybody commented but still a viable and excellent video. I just picked up an E46 with a leaky valve cover and this was extremely helpful. I'll be doing the oil filter adapter housing and vanos line next. Thanks!

[@haroo86]

Bought my first e46, iv got so much to learn in so little time, it's close to 250kms(Australia use kilometers not miles,so whatever the conversion is lol) so lucky to have guys like yourself to share your knowledge sensei.

[@marioperez-kb2wl]

Nice job like the way you explain each step along with the sizes of the bolts as an amateur it is appreciated. I have an E39 and watch your whole video because of your thoroughness.

[@pshhh7856]

Bro thank you so much for sharing these videos. I’m a mechanic myself but I’ve always been afraid to work on my BMWs for fear of something going wrong . With your step by step ,clear explanation video I was able to fix my car and save myself a lot of money . Very liberating to fix the issue myself. Really appreciate you,thank you

[@isaacbrandmark3496]

Greetings and blessings my friend. I can't tell how much of a resource you are for my learnings and from my shop independence . Most of all your confidence comes across and empowers me greatly. Ty Ty

[@misgifboyz5054]

great video man. explained each step nicely. filming was awesome as well!!

[@MitsCooKieHH]

Thanks man very helpfull im about to change my spark plugs on my '99 328Ci coupé. The turn the plugs counterclockwise trick is very helpfull especially with these alluminum heads.

[@TheekshanaAmbepitiya]

Thanks for these videos man, have helped me heaps when I'm working on my E46.

[@modeltzombie3183]

One thing you should mention, I kept getting a lean code, bank 1 and 2. I was the vacuum leak @ the bad valve cover great vid, keep it up

[@StyleGT]

loved the video man, just did this on my 325ci 2001 and i must say the video gave me great confidence and assurance.. thanks alot!!!!!! i snapped one middle stud :'( too bad she aint leaking so im still gonna send it!!!

[@jeremievanek4839]

Great video. Very descriptive with good suggestions. Thank you

[@TheRare_BASEDGOD]

Just replaced my vcg and spark plugs today by following your diy! Thanks so much for making theses videos!

[@Cezarguitar]

D-Boy what was your experience with fixing cars like before watching this vid and working on your car? I just got an e46, I’ve never worked on cars before but I’ve always been into fixing my bike and things like that.

[@stuartrawlins2404]

Thanks just did all of the boys in the video and it made all the steps real easy. Best e46 tutorials out there hands down :)

[@David-yh5po]

Thanks for sharing this video with us. I am very excited about you video's.

[@St0nedKiw1]

Bro your video is so fkn Clear and easy to follow I'm so glad I found your channel like a year ago actually are saving me a shit tone of money. The man 🤟🤟

[@darinadams4929]

Very good info on this and other things you have shown. Cheers.

[@paulross2378]

Jason great vid. Wish i would have seen it before i changed spark plugs.

[@joesteel]

Thank you, wish you had a shop here in north central California. I am thinking of getting an e46 wagon now as the price is great and your videos inspirational in keeping one up

[@Zytnia64]

Thanks for the video thought me a lot and saved me big $, a new fan

[@manny5307]

Amazing video man your the reason why im fixing my own e46

[@williamwood7936]

Great instructional videos, easy steps explained very well.

[@rodrigoaguilar1325]

okay thank you and love your vids keep it up👌

[@ConcreteJungle7]

Great tutorial bro 👍

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

best damn video on the subject! Thank you.

[@baberrana7948]

Followed what you did and everything went perfect.. thank you from Manchester, England

[@Cezarguitar]

Baber Rana have you done any car work before? I’ve just got my e46 and would like to work on it but I’m a bit worried I might screw things up. I’m from London by the way!

[@ironmantooltime]

@@Cezarguitar maybe start with an air filter change 😉

[@gordoncarter348]

Class mate love your vid's on e46 BMW spot on kid

[@blairguinea6811]

Awesome show Sir !

[@joelmurillo21]

Thanks for the content ! They help alot

[@dennisbentley7022]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@ravsinghrajput2105]

Your videos are always great and I also watch 50s kid.... Both awesome 👍

[@e39exclusiveclubpanama33]

This guy is very thorough, how people can dislike his vid

[@markhamilton8681]

Outstanding video and instruction!

[@ShopLifeTV]

Thanks Mark! Glad I could help

[@mahenlatch9158]

great video quality and instructions going to attempt this soon, my 2002 e46 325ti with ODO = 355 000 km's recently showed signs of oil leaking onto the heat shields... i will replace those grommets too. PS. the spark plugs can go 100 000 km's ... replace them every 75 000 km's because they can fail after 75 000 km had one failure.

[@jayy402killz]

Awesome diy

[@godfatherofcinema]

Fantastic presentation

[@jokeralpha4482]

Awesome Demo!

[@Xen0nnnn]

bro this dude is my savior

[@rogervonschleusingen4603]

YOUNG FELLA, THANK-YOU VERY MUCH, YOUR VERY VERY GOOD AS A MECHANIC AND TEACHER , STAY AWESOME SIR .

[@macjr2001]

somebody stole this video and posted it without audio. had me mad that I couldn't hear. glad I found the right one

[@angeliquerider-mitchell2538]

Great videos. Thanks. I'm in the middle of correcting a code P0741, already swapped out the pressure regulator valve. Today's torque converter day. Yea 😒 . Looks like oil filter gasket and valve cover are next for this e46 I've now owned for a month. At least I'll be under the hood and not the car. I've got that to look forward to. I do love this car but this is the last time I buy a car from a kid. He didn't take care of anything!

[@lawsonstallings1955]

Nicely done.

[@xXIronicSteezXx]

Thank you so much for this dude

[@ademolaodebode3765]

Good one Jason!

[@kenwilson4775]

Great job ready to tackle my daughter's car

[@cooly350]

Great work

[@julianmarksuk]

Thanks for a great video. I'm doing this job right now. my gasket was hard and brittle so definitely need replacing. The new gasket sits about 1mm proud of the valve cover after being pushed down to sit snugly in the slot. I presume that when the cover is torqued down, the gasket gets squeezed into the slot making a tight seal....or have i got the wrong gasket?

[@martymeyer4125]

Great job and thanks.

[@gladiatoralmousa5689]

Great job

[@robdixon6862]

Great job brother...

[@kainicholls7281]

Great video, thank you :)

[@cesarbojorquez7418]

Thanks for your vids. Where did you learn so much?

[@richie2992]

simple and straight forward

[@JoseAyala-yu5wl]

Great Job!

[@shamazuddin]

Very helpful thank you

[@jlounnivongsa]

thank you so much for your great information

[@ShopLifeTV]

no problem! Thank you for watching!

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

nice tutorial, gotta get my sparks plugs done soon, also added your channel onto snapchat

[@ShopLifeTV]

thanks!

[@work2590]

Great DIY! Which brand do you recommend for the gasket ?

[@ToughShiftGarage]

great videos!

[@639Ripcord]

Great info re video, I've just completed mine which was not to bad off a job, however my gasket was like plastic, very very brittle it broke in several places around the edge buy eventually you can lift it up with a small screw driver , the spark plugs area was even worse and all of the rubber straps just broke leaving the 6 holes still with the gasket in! But if you are gentle get a small screw driver place it right on the toped edge and tap it gently with say a handle of a chisel or similar eventually they will lift out in one !! Just thought this may help other BMW fans .

[@ShopLifeTV]

I hate it when that happens, and it happens way too often. You can also use a heat gun or hair dryer to help remove the brittle pieces. Also a penetrating fluid helps out

[@carloslargaespada6051]

Hey bud I'm a big fan of all your work!! I just bought a 2000 323i and it needs an expansion tank replacement. My question is, when I turned the car of from the drive home I noticed that after it sat on my driveway for 10 minutes not only did the expansion tank leak but also my upper and lower radiator hoses were sucked in , or collapsed. Can you let me know what that is? You think it's a faulty plastic tank cap?? Thanks again for all you do

[@hastlermaffia]

Thanks again! My gasket was so bad, when i took it out it just broke in all places. dryed out

[@camocorndog]

hi Shoplifetv I just got my first e46 and you've helped out a ton! I own a 1999 e46 328i , Which spark plugs should I use?? its a 2.8L I6 .. and on auto zone the same part number in this video says it won't fit ..

[@JohnnytheBikeGuySLC]

Do these e46 have issues with clogged crankcase breather tubes blowing valve cover gaskets? I'm a new e46 owner.. My old passat v6 had the issue.. Thanks. Love the great videos..

[@karim95320]

Hello am gonna change the head gasket from my m52b20 engine by myself but the cylinder head may need to resurface so how can i buy the right head gasket for it notice i don't know if my cylinder head have been resurfaced before or not so how can it do it without problems waiting for your replay & thx for your videos

[@Nomidfarms]

God damn dude I love your videos haha. I hope I get to be in one of them one day! hahaha.

[@ShopLifeTV]

Appreciate it man, you never know haha!

[@BhorsleyAD33]

Nice video Jason What advice would you suggest. I am working on a very neglected 2004 325xi. It runs great but...I pulled the valve cover to replace the gasket and it was completely coated with dried up oil sludge to where there was almost no bronze color (like yours) showing. I don't know how oil was even getting around in this thing. I carefully loosened and sucked out most of the bigger sludge and also cleaned the inside valve cover. How do you recommend I clean out the whole thing (without disassembling it). Do you recommend some kind of flush or just leave it? I'll probably do a double oil change pseudo flush at least Thanks for any advice on cleaning the head (or leaving it).

[@alwayswatching4677]

hey whats up i like your channel i have a 2011 bmw328i xdrive have to change the valve cover do you have any vids on the year car...thanks

[@levyyakubov5187]

ShopLifeTV when you say "clean the head" before putting the VCG on do you mean the inside part or the outside part? Thanks in advance!

[@nairbyad7188]

thanks for showing how to remove the wiring harness. mine doesn't have a connector on the other side.

[@petroverstyak6967]

i fucking love this video, bolt sizes are listed and extra tips. video helped me do mine thank you!

[@honawikeepa5813]

Thank you kindly.

[@tarus987]

i also recently purchased an e46 and want to attempt go change the head gasket. do you have a tutorial?

[@elonmusk8667]

Good video! What does it mean when my e30 bmw has oil on the plugs?

[@FFTR335]

Do you have any videos on O2 sensors ? Thank you

[@AdamCMoreno]

HELP !! Shop Life ! I have a question, what happens if you don't torque anything doing this job? I recently did this and I just tightened it with a ratchet. After I did that and put everything back and started the car, I noticed that my check engine light turned on and something smelled like it was burning in the valve cover gasket. Any ideas? Thanks !

[@catalinrizea1694]

for the put back the cover you need a manometric key?

[@MrHengDoItAll]

Hey I have E36 cover gasket leaking and I have misfire 1-5-6 spark plug are wet . Are those relate issue, thank you

[@zay677]

Is it a speciality bolt for the valve cover ?

[@JAS_2001]

Should I grease the new gaskets with oil? Or just put them in straight out from the bag?

[@coletonbrown8211]

I found some covers say manufactured after September, will it make any difference in installation or is it the same for all m54?

[@robertcommodore1938]

can you show a diagram of the Valve Cover sequence from start to finish starting with number 1 nut and and then number 2and 3 and 4 and so on and so on using the criss corss pattern.that would be really good and helpful, Thank You. and great videos you put out. thx

[@jovitopelias9855]

I have 2002 325i, and changed the valve cover and sparkplugs the way you showed in the video. My question is, when I starts the car it only cranks and no start. Before the change, it was doing well just one click and starts. Can you help me on this? Thanks.

[@TheFLUFFless]

Help... I’m about to do this today, I didn’t consider before, how do you clean the head before installing new gasket? What are you using?

[@tomdm134]

LEGEND

[@kenncth5506]

@shoplifetv hey I just replaced my gasket. My car was smoking before. But how long will it keep burning oil after I replace it? Or how long should it keep smoking?

[@vorjguhak]

Hi, i would really appreciate if you could help to tell me the right engine oil for bmw3 318i e46 2003 petrol. Thanks a lot.

[@joey9036]

Jason, The video is 20 minutes, but how long does it really take to do all that is shown here? I also want to do the oil filter housing gasket, replace starter (making noise), replace CCV all at the same time. I’m hoping I can do it all in a day. Reasonable expectation?

[@doelife]

Off topic but. I have a 04 330xi. What do you think about the 02pilot ??.

[@assasinofyouth1]

I have an f25 x3 and the mechanic said that the valve cover ventilation is bad and need to change the whole part. Also he said that it pushed out the real main seal which also need replacement. Is this true to your knowledge? Ty

[@Lu-e]

I have a question, so today I was taking the engine cover off and underneath it I saw a warning label which said caution, high voltage. I was afraid to do anything so I stood back for a couple mins. My question is, is there any way I can prevent from getting shocked to death or getting hurt. What should I not touch around that area so I don’t experience pain, and yes I know stay away from the battery, my battery has been relocated in the truck.

[@773steve]

what good cheap Ignition Coil do u recomend

[@evane.6511]

So the bolt in the back left of the cover is completely rounded out. It's to the the point to where the flower tool isn't even catching. Any ideas on how to get it out??????