Getting ready to do the valve cover gasket replace

[carsontl]

Got the stuff ordered and was curious if someone had a how-to on this for a zhp? I've been looking for a guide and keep finding other versions (325,328, etc) and I've never had to do this particular gasket.

Also will be replacing the belts at the same time since bmw told me when i got the car the belts were going (4 months ago)

[danewilson77]

This is a great procedure. Use it to pull covers and what not...then reassemble.

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_procedure.htm

Auto or manual?

[aurelius]

Did a search and found what looks like a decent DIY. Click HERE (http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/valve.php).

Beware this is also a good time to do your spark plugs, especially if oil has leaked past the VCG into the plug holes.

You will also want to replace the 15 nut seals (http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&command=DWsearch&description=11-12-1-437-395&I1.x=7&I1.y=7) when the VC goes back on.

Finally, note that you will duplicate all of this work if you later go to rehab your VANOS (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?182-Does-anyone-have-a-DIY-for-the-BMW-E46-Vanos-seals-and-rattle-fix). How many miles on your motor?

[carsontl]

Dane it's a manual, thanks for the guide

aurelius i bought the 15 nut seals to go with the vcg replacement, but I will definitely inspect the spark plugs and any oil leaks at that time and make sure all is well before putting it back together - thank you for telling me about it.

oh and it has 80k miles on it, just past the 80085 mileage marker :D

[danewilson77]

Dane it's a manual, thanks for the guide

aurelius i bought the 15 nut seals to go with the vcg replacement, but I will definitely inspect the spark plugs and any oil leaks at that time and make sure all is well before putting it back together - thank you for telling me about it.

oh and it has 80k miles on it, just past the 80085 mileage marker :D

OK....that's even easier....

[kayger12]

If you're at 80,000 miles and those are the original plugs, I'd just do them while you're in there. They're most likely ready to be switched out.

[Hermes]

Might wanna change your motor oil too while you're in there.

[echo46]

As mentioned above, when i replaced my valve cover gasket, I also did the beisan anti rattle and seal kit refresh. Just be careful when you tighten down the valve cover bolts. Make sure to do it in an alternating fashion starting in the middle. Torque wrench is a very good idea. If not, tighten until the gromet bottoms out. I have read that if the bolts are not evenly tightened you could develope another leak. I also agree about replacing the plugs at 80,000.

[carsontl]

i haven't heard any rattle, but i'm fairly new to this rattle issue.. what is it? I'll probably just replace the plugs same time. I changed the oil about 3k miles ago

[Hermes]

Check YouTube, it's literally a rattling sound

[webster]

so i think i've decided to DIY the VCG and spark plugs. will be looking at getting all the parts and tools together over the next few weeks so i can tackle this sometime before the new year. will be reading up on as many DIYs as possible in preparation.

the VANOS though, i think i'm just gonna buy the Dr Vanos kit and pay a shop to do it. I've looked at a few DIYs and it seems like it would be a little of my league to this point. but the VCG and plugs, i think i can do...

[carsontl]

I just did the VCG and the spark plugs this last saturday and it was stupid easy. I had the car torn apart and back together in about 2.5 hours and that's with 2 beer breaks lol.

[webster]

nice, glad it went smoothly for ya.

[carsontl]

I was honestly surprised, expected it to be much harder than it was.

[webster]

did you use the DIY aurelius posted above? looked through it pretty good earlier and it seems thorough and straitforward enough...

[carsontl]

not sure what i used, was last minute and i googled and pulled up a guide on the phone, it was pretty straightforward, i'll try to find the link.

couldn't pull up the history, sorry man.

It didn't really have any pictures, just really explicit instructions.

[echo46]

Easy DIY, just take your time.

[Scorpius]

i just did the vcg and the ofh myself and created some video diy's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy0EKjuxlpY - OFH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugPUqjjKRz8 - VCG

[webster]

just watched this and am PUMPED to do the VCG soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww8qc3Y4BxA

decided i will also do the performance ignition coils + spark plugs.

stoked!

[aurelius]

decided i will also do the performance ignition coils + spark plugs.

Whose coils are you going with? The OE's are actually pretty crappy, even in the M3.

[webster]

was going to go with the BavAuto set (currently on sale for $233.95)

unless you know of something better....

[aurelius]

That is the only alternative I know of but I've never really looked into it. Kinda pricey.

[webster]

yeah the price is somewhat of a bummer. mainly cause the VCG and plugs are so cheap. i'm not 100% on the coils, we'll see. would like to get some feedback on them...i'll do some googling.

[nike001]

The coils could go either way IMO.

The valve cover gasket it a really SIMPLE task. I recently did it in 2 hours w/ about a 20 min break about two weeks ago. That was also my 3rd time doing it.

All you have to do it remove the cabin air filter, engine cover, ignition coils, and then the bolts to the cover itself.

I'd recommend doing the VANOS DIY too... it's really not a hard task (except Beisan Systems FTW)

[webster]

yeah, in a perfect world i would do the Dr Vanos kit, VCG kit, performance coils, and NGK plugs all at the same time. again, we'll see. not sure if the VANOS procedure is something i want to DIY.

[llll1l1ll]

I'd be terrified of breaking a bolt since the Dr. Vanos instructions mention the idea of that happening.

Otherwise, it looks pretty easy. Just time consuming.

[nike001]

I'd be terrified of breaking a bolt since the Dr. Vanos instructions mention the idea of that happening.

Otherwise, it looks pretty easy. Just time consuming.

Going slow and easy will assure that you won't break it. and you're right... easy, but time consuming.

[webster]

looking to get all the parts and tools ordered for the VCG, plugs and coils. can anyone recommend a good, cheap torque wrench? the only one i found at home depot was $75.

found one here, price is good. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MB53ZE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MB53ZE

also i need a spark plug socket. found this, looks good. http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0l/Search/Spark_Plug/ES9340/

a tube of RTV sealant. never bought before,this is the right stuff, right? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBIBOY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HBIBOY

also need a T30 torx socket, figured i might as well get a whole set http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041X9RO2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0041X9RO2

NGK spark plug set on ECS http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0l/Search/Spark_Plug/ES10331/

dielectric grease http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0l/Search/Spark_Plug/ES257110/

and the high performance coils from bavauto http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp?HC1=0&htarget=asgridyearmodel.asp&Hecode=undefined&hdept_id=223&HCY=2004&HCM=330Ci


and finally, decided I'm gonna buy the Dr. Vanos kit Q1 2012 and just pay a shop to do it.

any feedback on the links i posted as well as other tips are welcome! thanks guys.

[echo46]

I recently did the beisan systems vanos seals and anti rattle kit and found it was not difficult at all. Again, read everything three times and take your time. Much easier than doing the same refresh on my e36 for sure.

[Hornung418]

Torque wrench at Auto Zone for 20 bucks then you can return it when you are done.

[RVAzhp]

Got the stuff ordered and was curious if someone had a how-to on this for a zhp? I've been looking for a guide and keep finding other versions (325,328, etc) and I've never had to do this particular gasket.

Also will be replacing the belts at the same time since bmw told me when i got the car the belts were going (4 months ago)

don't be surprised if one of the bolts strips out it's seat. it's been known to happen and has happened to me. from my understanding JB weld works fine as a repair, but i had a shop do it.

i was using a torque wrench incase anyone comes yelling here. but that's not where it got loose, i was removing one of the studs and the stud and it's seat came out when i was removing the VCG i was super angry.

[JohnnyGraphic]

I recently did the VCG and the Vanos seals. I didn't have the rattle, so no issue there. I REALLY took my time and photo-documented just about every step. Very, very simple process. The Vanos seals is very super simple. Just make sure you tread lightly and slowly when you're cutting out the old seals. But, all in all, super easy.

I would second the suggestion on tightening the VCG very carefully. Make sure you have an assortment of extensions since getting to all of the bolts is a pain. Or, you could get a swivel head socket wrench extension to make it easier.

Johnny

[JohnnyGraphic]

Another thing, the Vanos seals isn't much harder once you get everything out. You've done a majority of the work with the VCG, just another few steps to get to the Vanos, so set aside another 2 hours or so max and then tackle it. Once you do it, you will see how easy this is.

Johnny

[wmuncaster]

Please forgive my ignorance, but can someone give me a quick dirty explanation of the differences between the vanos seal repair, vanos rattle repair and Dr. Vanos solutions? I have VCG in-hand but want to make sure to give my Vanos system all the love it needs while I'm in there...

[llll1l1ll]

The VANOS seal repair can be done one of two ways: Beisan Systems and Dr. Vanos. Beisan Systems offers both the seal and rattle repair kits. You must disassemble the VANOS unit and replace the seals yourself. This adds some time. If you plan on doing the rattle kit, I believe you will need an impact wrench and a vice. The seal repair isn't too intricate - it just takes time and patience. Dr. Vanos offers a direct replacement. You buy their refurbished VANOS unit and replace it directly with your old one. You then send the old one in for a refund of the core charge you pay when you get the Dr. Vanos unit.

The Dr. Vanos unit is considerably more expensive than the Beisan Systems; however, it might save you some time/frustration.

[wmuncaster]

The VANOS seal repair can be done one of two ways: Beisan Systems and Dr. Vanos. Beisan Systems offers both the seal and rattle repair kits. You must disassemble the VANOS unit and replace the seals yourself. This adds some time. If you plan on doing the rattle kit, I believe you will need an impact wrench and a vice. The seal repair isn't too intricate - it just takes time and patience. Dr. Vanos offers a direct replacement. You buy their refurbished VANOS unit and replace it directly with your old one. You then send the old one in for a refund of the core charge you pay when you get the Dr. Vanos unit.

The Dr. Vanos unit is considerably more expensive than the Beisan Systems; however, it might save you some time/frustration.

Awesome, thanks! So essentially the Dr. Vanos unit accomplishes the same thing as the BS rattle/seal kits but all the internal vanos module work is pre-done? Sounds like a waste of a perfectly good Sunday afternoon not to do it yourself!

[llll1l1ll]

Yeah, I know they do the seals and I believe they do the anti-rattle kit, as well.

I say if you have the tools and the time, go for it!

[danewilson77]

Awesome, thanks! So essentially the Dr. Vanos unit accomplishes the same thing as the BS rattle/seal kits but all the internal vanos module work is pre-done? Sounds like a waste of a perfectly good Sunday afternoon not to do it yourself!

Yes.

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