[Boland01]

I'm going to be changing out the valve cover gasket on my 2007 335i this weekend. Searching the forum I'm reading mixed advice on whether to use any RTV sealant when you do it. Also, if yes exactly where?

[Bavarian Tech]

Have done, upwards of 100+ valve cover gaskets. I've never used RTV while doing a valve cover job on any N51/2/4/5..They don't come from the factory with any on it. To each their own

[Spun Crankhub]

No, these VCG's dont use the stuff, and seal quite fine.

[Boland01]

Great, thanks for the quick feedback.

['02onthebrain]

No RTV. Make sure you get the back part to seat correctly or it will leak. You need a little telescoping mirror to see in the back when you do it.

[N54Society]

Good info. Thanks!

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

M54 needed it on the half moons, but the N-series engines don't have that issue.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

No RTV. Make sure you get the back part to seat correctly or it will leak. You need a little telescoping mirror to see in the back when you do it.

hmmm I couldn't check the back of mine, I tried to get it seated really well in the cover when I did it last weekend. fingers cross i guess haha

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

hmmm I couldn't check the back of mine, I tried to get it seated really well in the cover when I did it last weekend. fingers cross i guess haha

You could have used a small mirror they sell at Autozone for $1.99. I just used one last night to install my new valve cover.

[ziddak]

I'll share a trick I learned years ago at GM Tech center.
Be sure valve cover and head are CLEAN! Use SMALL DABS of 3M super weatherstip adhesive on the surface of the valve cover and attach the gasket.
Let it dry! The small dabs of the adhesive will not affect the gasket but simply hold it in place when you re-install it onto the head. I've done this on all kinds of gaskets where slipping could be an issue. Works like a charm.
And stay away from RTV! If that stuff gets into your engine it's bad news!

[Boland01]

Another tip. An extra set of hands to hands help sit it in place is helpful too.

[smass]

I use the smallest amount possible of RTV. It is a super thin coat on the gasket that does not squirt out when compressed. My thinking is the OE without RTV can leak after a few years. My 06 N52 was done in 09 with RTV and still not leaking.

[N54Society]

I did it with RTV about 3 years ago on my previous 335i. No leaks. I just did it on my E90 without any RTV last night. Let's see if it holds up.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by smassey321

I use the smallest amount possible of RTV. It is a super thin coat on the gasket that does not squirt out when compressed. My thinking is the OE without RTV can leak after a few years. My 06 N52 was done in 09 with RTV and still not leaking.

This ^. The factory gaskets don't use any liquid sealant for production cost purposes and the gaskets remain leak-free during the warranty period, and may never leak. But if you are in the engine replacing valve cover or oil pan gaskets (i.e. flat gaskets, not profile gaskets) then why would you not use a sealer on the gasket to help insure further leaking later on? All that is needed is a skim coat on both sides of the gasket. I use Permatex Ultra Black. Let it dry a few minutes and it becomes tacky, which helps keep the gasket in place during reassembly.

Sometimes a small zip tie through a few bolt holes helps keep the gasket in place. Once set, cut the tie and pull it out.

[Boland01]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

This ^. The factory gaskets don't use any liquid sealant for production cost purposes and the gaskets remain leak-free during the warranty period, and may never leak. But if you are in the engine replacing valve cover or oil pan gaskets (i.e. flat gaskets, not profile gaskets) then why would you not use a sealer on the gasket to help insure further leaking later on? All that is needed is a skim coat on both sides of the gasket. I use Permatex Ultra Black. Let it dry a few minutes and it becomes tacky, which helps keep the gasket in place during reassembly.

Sometimes a small zip tie through a few bolt holes helps keep the gasket in place. Once set, cut the tie and pull it out.

Good tip on the zip ties. I used that trick when I changed ours. It makes it easier to keep everything in place when fitting the gasket and valve cover to the head.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Sometimes a small zip tie through a few bolt holes helps keep the gasket in place. Once set, cut the tie and pull it out.

prefer dental floss for this.

just less bulky. Also, I've left it in place, tightened the bolts and then removed it.

[ExoticM3]

Hi everyone! I completed this project a while back and lets just say I hope this leak does not come back haha. I will post my video that has all the tools and sources you'll need when completing the valve cover gasket replacement while adding DIY videos in the description.

Email: bmwyt0@gmail.com

Video Link to my channel

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Boland01

I'm going to be changing out the valve cover gasket on my 2007 335i this weekend. Searching the forum I'm reading mixed advice on whether to use any RTV sealant when you do it. Also, if yes exactly where?

The valve cover gasket is a known weakness of the E-series. The engine tilts which makes the bottom & firewall side of the seal especially prone to leaking. So, to say that just because the factory never did it, then you don't need to do it is faulty thinking. It would be correct thinking if the VC was not a known problem on the E-series engine. However, this is absolutely not the case.

You won't find hardly any negative posts from people who used Ultra Black, let it cure for 24 hours prior to start up in combination with an a OEM gasket.

The Key is to put a bead of Ultra Black on the VC, place the OEM gasket into the groves of the VC where you just put a bead of Ultra Black prior. Then put a second bead of Ultra Black on the gasket. Maybe let it set up for 10 min prior to carefully placing the VC on the head. This process might be a 2-person job considering all the wires that might be sort of in the way. I bungee cord mine back & they are still an obstacle you have to negotiate, in order to put the VC on the head correctly.

If you do this procedure exactly as I stated above & wait 24 hours for the sealant to fully cure before start up, then in all likelihood, you have bought yourself 10-20,000 extra miles before you will eventually have to replace it again.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The valve cover gasket is a known weakness of the E-series. The engine tilts which makes the bottom & firewall side of the seal especially prone to leaking. So, to say that just because the factory never did it, then you don't need to do it is faulty thinking. It would be correct thinking if the VC was not a known problem on the E-series engine. However, this is absolutely not the case.

You won't find hardly any negative posts from people who used Ultra Black, let it cure for 24 hours prior to start up in combination with an a OEM gasket.

The Key is to put a bead of Ultra Black on the VC, place the OEM gasket into the groves of the VC where you just put a bead of Ultra Black prior. Then put a second bead of Ultra Black on the gasket. Maybe let it set up for 10 min prior to carefully placing the VC on the head. This process might be a 2-person job considering all the wires that might be sort of in the way. I bungee cord mine back & they are still an obstacle you have to negotiate, in order to put the VC on the head correctly.

If you do this procedure exactly as I stated above & wait 24 hours for the sealant to fully cure before start up, then in all likelihood, you have bought yourself 10-20,000 extra miles before you will eventually have to replace it again.

I used Ultra Black on both my VCG and OPG. OPG has been leak free for 100,000 miles and 4 years. VCG leak free for 90,000 miles and 4 years.

[marvinstockman]

Whatever RTV you use, make sure it is specifically designed for gasket use.

[mecheng77]

Either way you will be fine if you use a quality gasket.

I didn't want to but I had to do it could hold in place. I put a very light coat and when I think about it, silicone is a good lubricant and will prevent it from drying out.

It's not done in the factory because it adds a second step which is very costly and the risk of adding to much to be high.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Either way you will be fine if you use a quality gasket.

Which implies, according to every comment that the factory oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and oil filter housing gasket WILL leak, that the factory gaskets aren't quality gaskets.

I'm aware that the BMW OEM part for the oil filter housing gasket is now made in Japan. This sounds promising. I'm not aware of such a change for the oil pan and valve cover gaskets. When I do my oil pan gasket, it's getting a super thin coat of permatex ultra black.