How to change valve stem seals on a BMW E65/66 N62 engine - no AGA tool - detailed 

This has to be one of THE BEST how-to videos I’ve ever seen. I’ve worked on Chevys, Porsche’s, Miata’s, Trumphs, Isuzu’s, motorcycles and mountain bikes of all kinds. This is a VERY complex project for the home mechanic - but NOT impossible, if you’re deliberate, prepared, and organized. Your video is well-lit, great camera angles, and EXTREMELY well narrated. You took the time to edit over a couple of spots for clarification, and you took the time to show multiple approaches. You used the RIGHT tools, and took the time to demonstrate alternate methods, and danger areas. I’m sorry that this is such a niche repair, because you serve HUGE numbers of views for what you’ve done. For all of us who like to do our own work, all I can do is say thank you for taking on the additional challenge of filming this complex project. Mad props, my brother!

Thanks so much for this video. I am by no means a mechanic but managed to do this job on my e65. All I had to do was watch this video about a dozen times! No, seriously this is exactly what is great about youtube; giving folk, who would not normally be able to contemplate a task, the confidence to attempt something. It wasn't easy, it took a long time but one more car saved from the scrapheap! Thanks!

Hey! Thanks for taking the time to make and share this. I know the mechanical work in itself can get frustrating yet you still took the time to get the camera angles and lighting so we could see everything you were explaining to us, you are appreciated sir. Saved me a couple thousand dollars and made it feel easy following your lead. Thanks again, take care.

This guy rules I could listen to him all day

You may well be one of the main reasons some of these cars are still on the road today. So nicely done!

A superb video - if nothing else, it tells you to avoid any N62 BMW V8!

From $400 rent tool to $50 tool what amazing job impressed

best automotive tutorial I've ever watched!! so detailed. thank you for taking the time to record every step

I'm doing mine right now along with some other stuff on my 07'. Thanks for the video to reference back to. It's been handy to visualize my next step of look back to before I had it apart. I am doing one side at a time so I don't have a bunch of parts laid out and I don't need to concern myself with the chain on the other side slipping. Nice work!

Superb video!! Going to bed now, I’ll wake up in the am & check this video once again; to make certain I wasn’t dreaming.

Amazing how you can explain things and make it easier to understand. Nice work!!

This is a great detailed video, thanks for sharing. I'll be starting on this next month.

Great work,thank you for sharing with us.

Your video helped tremendously, as well as the tis manual! I am on the timing right now, moving slow due to never having time. It's a 2008 bmw x5 ng2.

Great video . I just subscribed. Keep these N65/66 videos coming Thanks

You did an absolutely a fantastic job explaining everything, I watched the whole thing and I don't own a BMW 👍

Yes, this guy is a great narrator as well as mechanic.

THANK YOU!!!! Your videos saved my car. Took me a month with work and the family, but I got it done and it started right up. NO MORE SMOKE, NO MORE LEAKS!!! For now.

I need to do the job on my E65 and I am really impressed how much effort you have put into this video. Lots of really helpfull tips. Thank you VERY MUCH. This is going to help a lot.

Just brought a 05 745Li and i think it has the valve gasket issue...Im not hardly a mechanic but this video is really giving me confidence...Thanks for all your hard work

Thanks for this super detailed video, I haven’t tackled my valve guide seals yet, but this was very helpful for me to figure out what tools I still need and what parts/gaskets need to be renewed. I’m feeling extra motivated to tear my engine apart now that I’ve got some confidence from this video. Much love man 🖤

this is really professional, thorough and well organized vid. Thank you and keep up the great work!

Very nice video, great steps and explanation!

Well explained and good teaching. Amazing video. You deserve more likes to your video.

I have dun this job on my 08 e62 550i with cams in place with a similar tool as the AGA tools however it would have been very usefully if I had seen this video before I started the job . I think the guy has made a very informative how to video ,it sounds like he is a fellow South African

Very well filmed. Thank you

Very discriptive. Great job!!!

This is MAJOR surgery, amazing.

Top rate job Eco. A thousand thanks from California. Our E60 N62 had quite a few differences until we got to the cam covers, but from there in, super similar. We had the smoking after idling deal and held off this repair with Oil Saver for a couple of years but it got to be too bad even with that. All the great detail, the tool sizes, the torque call outs the detailed explanations made it much easier than had you not done this. Plus the confidence to tear into it was hugely boosted after my son and I watched this. I did watch ShopLife RU-vidr's E60 N62 cam cover gasket replacement video as well to help with the E60 nuances. Neither he nor you pointed out a problem we encountered. The dreaded spark plug tube reinstallation. Made the mistake of fully seating them in the head first and never could get the cam covers seated. Went online and found a tip - only partially seat them in the head, so they fully seat in the cam cover as you work them in. Magic. I agree with Kuehne, it's a very complex project but with your video, some organization and a boatload of determination, it's doable. Our 300,000 kilometer 07 550i now purrs like a kitten and roars like a lion. Thanks so much.

I just want to say that this is an amazing video, hats off to you not everyone has taken the time to take these angles such narrative is top notch, you honestly have a lot of experience and I can definitely say that with this video if it came to it I could definitely do this job not to say that I'm being cocky but you have given me confidence. American muscle v8s are one thing German fine-tuned engines like this it's another beast props

you're very kind showing how to do things.. thanks alot for sharing you're skills. this means alot to me..

Thanks for helping me make the decision. The car will be donated and I actually rebuild American engines. too much for me this time...Great detailed vid!

Thanks for another great video!

Excellent video now I know that I could do that job myself thank you very much

Excellent detail explanation. Thanks.

The time you have taken to film this is amazing, and appreciated! The "tips" you provide a really handy. The only comment I would make is that the Valvetronic motor should have the tension on it released before unscrewing. The "Clack" you hear on the first one is the spring unwinding very fast, and it can damage the gear that it sits on... (speaking from experience). To release the pressure, you use a Allen Key (4mm) to insert in the top and wind clockwise until you feel a bit of resistance.

This is why I wish to Lease a BMW X550i. If I had my own space or garage, I'd love to work on my own car. However, I will lease it for now.

Amazing video, I'm a hobbiest mechanic myself who drives the e93 330i convertible, I've got my eyes on an e64 650i convertible with the N62 engine, an amazing car for the price you can get them at now, if I decide to pull the trigger on it and keep it long term, this video will help me greatly in future

Best DIY video, wish I could bring my car to you..

amazing video, great job

Masterful job, well done.

Absolutely awesome video 👌🏾

Brilliant work sir thanks for sharing

thx and greetings from Munich

Wow. Respect to you Sir

Good no nonsense video sir, for other people if you buy or rent the AGA tool you can get away without removing the cams and pulleys.

GREAT TUTORIAL!!! THX A LOT!!! :)

You are genius my friend God bless you

Seeing this video is 1hr+ you just know it gonna be hard + the video is spead up a little . Still worth it though

This guy (Philip Brown) is REALLY GOOD!!! No BS and fluff, just the important how-to stuff. I agree with Jonathan Kueh's post. This is the BEST DIY video on any automotive subject I've ever seen. Anybody can make a decent video on how to do something simple like replacing a PCV valve, but simplifying the complex is the hallmark of a true expert. Philip Baron has provided us all with fantastic resource to repair an issue that every owner of BMW with the N62 will be faced with sooner or later! I have two cars with N62's that need this repair (2006 750Li and a 2007 550i both with over 150k miles). Thank you very much Philip, for producing such a high quality video explaining every step, tool and trick needed to do this complicated job!

Wow my car has started a white smoke I was told it was pcv vent and seals I hope it doesn't consist of this I'm seeing the simpler ones that are on the top of the valve cover are those not the ones that need replaced this is a big job lol very good video for sure

Great video

Great video. I always enjoy warching them. Looks like you live in a very dusty environment!!!

U are the hero

We’ll done! Thank you!

I can take it apart that’s not the problem it’s the part when I have to put everything back together LOL

Legend

Very nice job

Phenomenal

You can do it without removing top timing covers if you just losen the chain tensioners and slip off the chains. If you initially put the engine on time and mark all cams and crank, it can be put back without timing tools but requires some skill and understanding about how engine timing works. If you use compressed air method the engine might turn on you so be careful Safest method is the rope one. I used the exact same spring compressor tool and used non magnetic screwdriver and grease to put the keepers back. I found out that the keepers are easy to mount from the same side of the valve and just rotate the first one around the valve stem to the opposite side.

Wow! What a skill. Great video but way beyond me. I’ve been quoted 3-4 days for this job by an independent BMW specialist. They say it’s an ‘engine out’ job. They don’t have skill and imagination that you have 👍🏻

Seems like you can use the other studs to rig/screw the lever in place to hold tension on the springs & let you keep both hands free.

Nice video

Excellent video sir, kindly tell us about the tool set

Brilliant❤

I have a 2004 645CI and have to change the valve covers. While I am there I am going to change plugs and was thinking about the valve gaskets. A couple of questions, I see you used alcohol to clean around the cam shafts, can I use spray brake cleaner with a towel to absorb? Also what is the name of the gasket in the solenoid housing - not the circular one on the solenoid itself but on the front of the valve casing? Thank you so much this video was fantastic.

Be3st guy ever to show us how to. I wonder if you can show us how to change the actual valve .

Thanks!

Just curious - I have a tool very similar to AGA (replica), and just wondering with both cams off could I still use that tool as opposed to this one used in the video? Fantastic walk through by the way - keen to do mine and this has given me a lot of confidence

Excellent vid mate. You been driving the Dakar rally? 😂

Absolutely incredible what you have done and had the patience to record On another note what do you think this will be a fair assessment of what this job should cost fairly on both customer and mechanic

Hey guys this is a major repair n great job. Please improve the image quality so everyone can see clearly what is getting done. Congrats!

Thank you for the video! I read somewhere that the engine must be locked at tdc with the pin on the pulley BEFORE taking off the top and bottom camshafts is this true or necessary? Thank you!

Nice video. Thanks for that. I haven't watched it all yet, but if you would calculate the hours for this project. How many would that be? I'm trying to figure out the price this could cost in an indy car shop for example.

Hey so it loooks like it is not necessary to have the timing lock tool during disassembly ? Mine is still in the post and I’m ready to remove the valve covers. It’s my understanding when opening any engine the timing specific tools are not required for the tear down…. Great video man thanks it’s going to help me a ton !!!

Meister number one

550i N62 get ready for this

Great video on replacing valve stem seals learned a lot from this just wondering if you guys had a step-by-step video on how to replace timing guides and chain on a n62 motor

Awaiting on a dsc module, to change out. When i do a wheel speed scan, my rear tires are going half the speed of front tires. Installed new wheel speed sensors already. The car has no speedometer and cruise and the three warning lights. Hope this works and that the electronic brake isn't partially on? Shall see.

What’s the official BMW book time for this repair? And would they remove the engine or do it from the top?

Where can I find the tools that you used to reset the timing? And the one to compress the valve springs down?

There is a crows foot valve tool that allows you to change these without removing the cam.

Question: why is it important that the holes of those two rings on the camshaft be facing upward (and in alignment with lobe #6? (1:08:15)

there is a very simple way to handel valves- instead of rope or air, you can just TOP the cylinder for that valve. That's it :)

24:47 do you know what that vane from vacuum pump is for?

I did all that same work, all without removing camshafts and without using compressed air.

Hello. Im getting ready to tackle this hellish job. Any chance u will make a part 2 , finishing this otherwise excellent video? Id like to see the camshaft positions on the opposite head when reinstalling,,,,also i don't wanna make the mistake of possibiy not having the no 1 cylinder on "compression Stroke" when setting the timing. Any thoughts??, Thanks

How long will the entire operation take for a medium skilled mechanic? Start to finish?

thank you for such amazing video, very well done,could you please give us the link for the tool you using? i have the exact same car and im planing to do the same job, thnak you in advance

Hello Thanke you for this greate Video!!! i've made it exactly like you at this Video but know my engine dosn't run. The Timing ist Perfekt i've controlled ist for a 1000 Times. Did you have a Idea for What can i do??? Sorry for my bad English! Thanke you for rispond Sascha

Great video, is it the same for Mercedes Diesel engines V6 3.0 2006 ?

Great video. I watched half way through and I said Oh Hell No! 😆 Way too much 🤦

Where are you located! I need this done lol

Where is the crankshaft located

what is the ring called that is pulled off at 13:14 ?

How much is a reasonable cost for this to be done?

Where you buy that great tool for valve springs?

Hello, i have oil leaking quite well from drip tray in front of oil filter and under rad. Guess i have to figure out how to take off drip shroud? How did you find this leak? Seems to be my driver side. E66 750li

Shouldn't a tester have been used to bring the Valvetronic motors into the service position before removing them?

What were the symptoms it gave you before this