Replace a BMW Valve Cover Gasket | N55 Engine - 335i/435i/535i/x1/x3/x5/x6 + more | DIY ECS Tuning 

Hands down, this is the best N55 valve cover DIY video on RU-vid. Thank you.

Thank you for the video! i love when people dont speed up DIY videos and skip "simple" steps. was trying to decide if i wanted to tackle this or send it to a shop, Video is very straight forward and looks super simple

Watched the whole thing even though I don’t have a bmw. Nice video.

Thanks for your help. I just completed the job successfully! The bottom line is do the job when you have NO pressure to complete it by a certain time. I took 2 afternoons, and all went smoothly (well, almost).

Excellent video! Super helpful in doing the valve cover replacement on my 2012 BMW 335xi. I saved about $1500 by doing this job myself compared to the dealer repair quote.

A great video from ECS! Thank you all for posting and the links above. One small thing is put a towel or something over the trunks closure mechanism in case you need to shut the trunk (to prevent it from latching closed).

I love working on this 2011 - 2016 bmw F10 535i series n55 engines as they are spacious and easy to work on having the proper tools for an easy job! Once maintained, this model runs like a dream!

I came in after finding another shop attempted to replace the valve cover gasket and set MAF sensor codes. Thanks for the great attention to details!

Great video! My valve cover just started showing signs of leaking exactly along the edge you showed over exhaust. Couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from since this is my first BMW. This looks almost as easy as my previous Honda and Toyota, minus the dozen or so parts to remove just to get to it. I want to save myself from a shop invoice and do this work myself. Thank you 🙏

the most satisfying sound is of that in which the bolts clank to the cover itself, I could fall asleep to it oddly

Best video out of the 10's that I've watched. Very thorough, excellent work. Great narration. Thank you.

Amazing video. For the people with e92 n55 make sure to take off small fire wall panel on left side of engine bay. Unsure if thats correct term but you need it to do it in order to have clearance when removing cover

Great video, I need to do this on a F20 M135i and watching this has really helped me see what is involved prior to getting stuck into it.

Excellent all the way from begging to the end! We need more F10 535i repair content!

Hey Guys, I'm with a tiny leak on the gasket on my X6 2013. So minimal it is, that everything is spot clean except maybe the last back 2 screws on the left might need retightening. There is a tiny 1/8" oil drop hanging in there by the heat shield. Otherwise spotless on the top section. Breather hose with 4 clips... I devised a neat trick... I used a thick (1/4" wide) zip tie. I slipped it under the 4 barbs as I wrapped it around the fitting. Bingo! It came loose in a few seconds after wiggling it out...being dried in there for 10 years, but out it came in one piece. Will try loosening and retightening everything before a full replace of the gasket to see if the tiny leak stops. Front cover screws feel like they are almost finger tight. Thanks for the thorough video with tightening specs. Those are hard to come by.

Thanks, Kevin. Great job explaining the procedures.

is it recommended to replace the cover too? Mine is making a squeal noise when the auto start/stop feature is enabled?

Wow now I am going to DIY it! Thank you @ECSTUNING ! Great Video & no nonsense!

Good lord that’s a lot of fun stuff to disconnect

For others: from the video I Heard It's an f10 535i Tools. 16mm Pick screwdriver things 2mm Allens 19mm E7 e-torx Kneedle nose 8mm 10mm Rags 14mm Silicon plugs (or something to cover the fuel line openings) Valve cover bolt size ? T25 Extensions Brake cleaner maybe (cleaning old gasket gunk and mating surface without getting any in the engine) Razor blade maybe (same) 6ft lbs Swivel extensions

Good video! I have found that taking the injector lines off while leaving them attached to the rail is the easiest way. pull it off as a unit. The big nut on the front is a 17mm and there are 4 11mm bolts with a grommet and tiny dowel in each one that can fall out on the intake side. Also a pressure sensor on the back. Also our shop always recommends replacing the whole valve cover at this time as the crankcase breather is integrated in with the valve cover. A failure could spell bad news in colder climates, especially this time of year. Also a good time to inspect/grease the gear on the eccentric shaft. The motor that turns this is a common failure of these motors. Excess wear on the gear for the shaft can be seen if it’s overly metallic looking or if you can feel a divot in it. If left unchecked it can make one hell of a clacking noise and eventually burn up a the DME. Then you are out a bunch more money.

You didn’t show how to get out that last bolt because that took me a minute to get out but I got it though. Thanks to you. Great job.

Just got an F10 and I am doing this in the spring for sure. I will be replacing all of those CCV lines though. I reccommend highly replacing that entire system while you're in there if you have 100,000 miles or more.

Excellent video. Very easy to follow and very informative.

Great job! If oil just leaking from the oil cover gasket onto the exhaust, the whole oil cover shouldn’t have to be replaced right?

Very good video. Indeed the best I've seen yet. I have this very same car. Gasket still tight at 50k miles but this is probably in my future! Not sure whether to replace VC as well or just gasket. My car is stock and not run hard and no extreme temps in the northeast so I'm hoping plastic fatigue will not be an issue.

Hello thanks for the video! I’m up for the fix. Btw, the valve cover gasket listed in the description says it’ll fit a 435i (f32), I have a 435i convertible (f33) and on the site it says it won’t fit that. Will getting the 435i f32 part actually fit mine? Thanks

Great video… Ordering the new valve cover and gasket for my wife’s car and I can save me some money! Thanks

hello, thx für the Video! what kind of carbon intake pipe is that from the turbocharger to the airbox?

great video very helpful looks like it's going to be a fun experience. thanks, good information

Nice video thank you, I have questions do I need to replace the valve cover or no ?

Good video, but those fuel hard lines should have a torque on them

Do you have to remove and reinstall spark plugs when replacement valve cover gasket?

Please note that there are differences for the E84 N55. You will have to take out the cowl and wipers under the windshield to get it off. Also among other things, the O2 sensor clamp bracket thing does not go in the same position as this 5 series. There's also an additional cover between the air intake and valve cover

Thanks for the video and instructions! I’ll do my X4 this week! The PCV valve came with the cover right?

Just done it on my m135i what a terror of a job

excellent video

thank you. very nice video. and quick.

I have to do this repair on a customers 335i. First one for the N55 engine. Thank you

On my car there is a sticker that says any aluminum fasteners need to be replaced with new ones once removed - does this include the bolts holding in that cross brace in the front? The ones at 2:03

Kindly let me know if this procedure goes for my 135i n55 2011 thxs

I think im doing it myself for my beama after watching this!

Do you need new screws if you’re just changing gasket?

Is there any way around to keep the battery connected ? Did it before and my FRM got fried once I reconnect the battery

Is it possible to reconnect the battery after tightening the fuel lines to prime the pump and check for leaks before putting the coil packs back in, to avoid the potential for fuel to come into contact with the silicone of the coil pack? I assume the positive cable in the engine bay would also need to be reconnected for this? EDIT: ignore me - I've realised that you need the engine running of course in order to generate any pressure as the pump is run mechanically.

Do I replace the injector seals as well or no? Thank you!

Thanks a lot . I have a question the reservoir with the two nipples can you please tell me in which port the one that come from the right fender goes ? There is a solenoid right under these ports but not sure where the short hose that comes from the solenoid goes and the next one that comes from the fender . Can you please help me out . Not sure if I have placed those in the incorrect position but now I see oil coming from the right nipple 😮

Thank you zaiten, replaced my valve cover gasket on my 640i following this video, when removing valve cover the plastic piece that clips inside valve cover disconnected from valve cover, reinstalled valve cover without putting that plastic piece back on inside valve cover ! (Forgot about it) How important is that for functioning of the car ??? Thanks

trying to open my valve cover to see what my engine issue is. Very difficult to get the screws in the back of the cover. i'll check to see if there is another bracket I need to remove.

When did the coil packs come out. The suddenly disappear after the ground wires are taken off and then come back in during reassembly.

Thank you Sir very professionally and informative, step by step...? Foot lbs for the cross rail support

What about your Crankcase Ventilation cap valve I’ve seen a lot of people switching it out for a pop off one for easy change rather then taking off the whole cover do they come with the nipple as well for the hose that goes connected to it ??

Were did u get the carbon fiber long intake piece ?

Hi, is this the same for the N55 E90?

Great video! You weren't kidding about that breather hose. Not only did my clips break but when I pulled back on the hose, gently, to get access to the bottom screw to take it out the hose itself broke in half. I have an F32 435i with the N55 and this video covers about 90% of that job. But I am kind of stuck on getting access to those rear bolts on the valve cover. The engine bay seems to be a little different configuration from the one in this video and I can't find a single reference anywhere else that matches up with mine. Any idea where I can get more specific information on accessing these bolts to finish the job?

What is the name of the plastic hose at 6:05 and if so, a part number? I need to replace it

Is priming the oil system mandatory when performing this service

..so good I almost did it myself! 😆

At 8:10 in your video you take one vacuum line off. There are 2 ports on mine. The front one had a piece of short line about 4" just hanging and not connected to anything and the back one had a hose covered in braided sleeve that went to the front of the vehicle. Is the short piece of hose broken off of something. Other videos Ive watched had a plug in the back one but it appears the connected line is coming from the back in those videos. I can't find any info on them. Thanks great video

Well Im here because of that dumb PCV thing so Not too worried. lol but thank you. Great video. Hope this works for my E84 X1 N55

Recently did the valve cover/gasket replacement. Car has a super rough idle with engine malfunction and other bright lights on the dash. Any recommendations? Or suggestions?

It would be very helpful to say explicitly that you need to buy 2 valvetronic actuator screws. The seal itself comes with the wrong ones... why does no video on this exact topic cover this SUPER CRITICAL detail?

What is that plastic hose called at minute 6:02 of video? My car is missing it and berly found out about when I changed the spark plugs and coils!!! Need help

Wonder if this n55 f10 means ECS is developing some new products for the n55 platform

Will this work for a 2012 bmw 5 series active hybird?

So is it necesary to have that 8 torque pounds for the valve cover bolts or is it cool by hand

Great video! You may want to advertise in your title that it includes replacing the valve cover too. From all I have seen, it is best to do them together, as you have done. Anyone have pricing for this? Mine cost $1200 for a shop to do the valve cover and gasket.

Starting to notice that these n55 valve cover gaskets always leak in the back left corner above the turbo. Think they don’t have enough protection from heat. Cold side of engine is fine.

What are the rubber thingies called and where did you get them? I am in for this repair on an N53 next week and these rubber-nipple-thingies look handy...

What brand is the gasket? Or does it matter? I have a 2011 535i

Where did he get that carbon fiber intake???

Good video this job is not easy , its tedious. Im a mechanic with 20 years experience worked on all European vehicles. These cars have many parts that are plastic and you have to be super careful especially with hoses . Anyway conments about this being an hour job have no clue what they're talking about, when you're finished with this job it always good practice to perform a smoke test and also most importantly a drive test which is key! 5 hour flat rate with all these factors seem very reasonable to me..btw where i live BMW charges $250 an hour!

How long does this take?

My valve cover stuck after followed all steps. what could be done to move it out.

Great Job Sir, professionally explained and a experienced install. I do have a Question, im assuming you used a OEM replacement Pan/ Gasket and is an OEM ELRING Gasket??. Usually the top gasket is hardened and stiff, loosing its sealing capabilities, thus a leak occures down over the side of the engine and burning on the exhaust and a nuisance because of this. So the Question I have is , why use the OEM gasket again, if it hardens and looses it sealing ability to the original gasket.? why not use another manufactures gasket like Felpro or any other reputable company??. We know that the OEM is a "inherited" gasket problem and is not doing its job and about as early as 90,000 kilometers it has to be changed out, this is a BMW gasket Problem that is a known as same as the OFHG. So why replace it with THE SAME OEM Gasket,?? as we know it will surely leak and have to be taken apart and redone>... im wondering if there isnt another company out there that can make a decent gasket that will handle the Heat and not fail ?? thoughts and input is greatly appeciated. ty sir for this looking easy by the way you approached your work ty

You disconnected 2 sets of cables harness and in one of them you cable tied them,what are all 2 two sets of cables for ?

hi, i beed sine info, what is the part # for the oxygen sensors bracket, minute 26:45 . i need it and cant seem to find it. thanks

bonjour. intéressant car je dois le faire. est ce que vous avez la référence de l'admission de ce véhicule?

@6:07 i dont have the line and mine is venting to atmosphere. I am throwing a P00bd code. where does this line go i can't find any place between the intake runners for it to go. What is the part number? Thanks.

I may do it on my bmw 535i

Usually how many miles does it need to be replaced?

Is the valve cover the same process on the f30 n55?

If you are at the point that you have a leaking valve cover gasket, you should be replacing the entire valve cover.

Can you please post the link where you bought the N55 valve cover?

I just changed my valve cover and after I finish the job I noticed that the small plastic clip inside the cover is off and was not installed, is this ok or it must be installed ?

I lost my vacuum plug can I buy from anywhere else

Also what would be the issues if any if replacing the whole valve cover with a new Chinese Ebay version compared to an original OEM version?

How difficult is any DIYer to do this job? Out of 10? Thanks

Is this bad? Mine 435i have the same problem i’m confused.. i will replace it by a bmw professional can you tell me how much it can cost?

Honestly easier then a n52

That’s exactly why I stay away from newer bmw’s lol

So you basically did this in a freaking hour… my bmw specialist are trying to charge me 5.10 hours….

For a simple gasket you need to take off so many parts I would ask that engineer, why ?

GUYS THE REMOVAL OF TERMINAL IS VERY CRUCIAL 🙆🙆🙆😁😁

Guess I’m not the one for DIY. This looked like a lot of stuff for me. I want a BMW but the potential reliability issues have me questioning myself. Think I need to find an independent shop that may not screw me too badly on maintenance/repairs 🤔😒

22:58 My fuel lines look different

These f10’s are a headache. Wish I bought a Lexus instead 😂.

This is wrong, the gasket AND cover should both be replaced.

first of all when you have a valve cover leak you must also replace the valve cover, plus the gasket, costs $2,200 at the dealer, the electric water pump costs $2,300.00 at the dealer to replace, when the transmission pan leaks you must replace the plastic oil pan which includes the transmission filter+ gasket, costs at the dealer $1,600, and when the main rear seal leaks it costs well over $3,000.00 to repair, and when your extended coolant tank leaks you also must replace the plastic tubes that connect to the engine which costs at the dealer $1,200,. these things will certainly fail with less than 50,000 miles and hopefully within the 4 year mfg warranty, in your 2014 X1 Xdrive M equipped 35i n55 engine...i know, cause they failed in mine in it's 5th to 8th year between 40 and 49,000 miles which was all out of warranty, also the battery failed in it's 5th year...... also the 4 brakes pads had to be replaced and when you replace the brake pads you must also replace the rotors this costs $1,700 dollars at the dealers.... so if you are going to buy this vehicle used make sure this work was done, make sure you put this auto up on a lift and have a good mechanic look for additional leaks.....