Valve cover leak?

[BaseM3]

Taking the M3 for its final service under warranty. Saw this wet spot on the front of the cylinder bank. It looks like a valve cover leak to me.
Anyone experience this?

[BzsBimmer]

It happens
See if the dealer will cover

[///M Power-Belgium]

Yes it's common and always on the same spot ...left side ,under left corner bolt .
How many miles on it ?

[///M Ryder]

Common issue.....if you're still under warranty it's covered.........Phil

[STooK]

I've been noticing the same thing and my car only has 20k miles. What's covered under warranty? They clean it up for you?

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by STooK

I've been noticing the same thing and my car only has 20k miles. What's covered under warranty? They clean it up for you?

New valve cover gaskets

[BaseM3]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yes it's common and always on the same spot ...left side ,under left corner bolt .
How many miles on it ?

Just turned 22k. Any other potential leaks I should have them look for?
I plan on keeping this car for a while. Are these difficult to replace.
I've replaced many on e36 models.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by BaseM3

Just turned 22k. Any other potential leaks I should have them look for?
I plan on keeping this car for a while. Are these difficult to replace.
I've replaced many on e36 models.

With only 22K on it , it's realy early to replace the valve cover gaskets .
Personal I would clean it up with a paint brush and some degreaser, and keep an eye on it !
After if leaking gets worse you can try with torque down the bolts .
Last step when still leaking is replace the valve cover gaskets by a BMW/Dealer .

[BaseM3]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

With only 22K on it , it's realy early to replace the valve cover gaskets .
Personal I would clean it up with a paint brush and some degreaser, and keep an eye on it !
After if leaking gets worse you can try with torque down the bolts .
Last step when still leaking is replace the valve cover gaskets by a BMW/Dealer .

Yes this is what I will due in the future. Until then I will assume the dealer will replace the gaskets under warranty during my next service visit.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by BaseM3

Yes this is what I will due in the future. Until then I will assume the dealer will replace the gaskets under warranty during my next service visit.

Let's hope that they do it under warranty conditions !

[BaseM3]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Let's hope that they do it under warranty conditions !

well, they won't replace the valve cover gaskets under warranty!
I took the airbox out before I took it in and swept my fingers under the outside flange of the passenger side and came up wet with oil. SA says that this is normal "misting" from the gaskets. How is BMW going to know if these were not leaking and only misting? Based on mileage? Even if the dealer sent the seals in for a analytical analysis by BMW how could they tell without spending a fortune to analyze them. SA says they will get stuck with the repair....

Maybe I should ask them to replace the plugs while they're in there and then they'll write off the gaskets!

I guess I'll be looking for DYI on valve cover gaskets.

[///M Ryder]

You need to find another dealer. If you tell them you've noticed a oil leak and they see the area you have pictured, it's a clear case of a leaking gasket. Mine wasn't as bad as yours and it was done without question. And the SA that told you this is a normal mist should be updating his resume'...........Phil

[obe100]

Originally Posted by ///M Ryder

You need to find another dealer. And the SA that told you this is a normal mist should be updating his resume'...........Phil

+1…

Some of these SAs are absolute boneheads….

[BaseM3]

Originally Posted by obe100

+1…

Some of these SAs are absolute boneheads….

He has worked with me in the past on my 335i and seams pretty reasonable. I'll try the dealer on the other side of town. They did find the tranny leak and are going to fix it.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by BaseM3

well, they won't replace the valve cover gaskets under warranty!
I took the airbox out before I took it in and swept my fingers under the outside flange of the passenger side and came up wet with oil. SA says that this is normal "misting" from the gaskets. How is BMW going to know if these were not leaking and only misting? Based on mileage? Even if the dealer sent the seals in for a analytical analysis by BMW how could they tell without spending a fortune to analyze them. SA says they will get stuck with the repair....

Maybe I should ask them to replace the plugs while they're in there and then they'll write off the gaskets!

I guess I'll be looking for DYI on valve cover gaskets.

Indeed ! Typical reaction of BMW/Dealer