Valve cover gasket oil leak ?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

EricM5 · 31st July 2008, 19:43

Does this look like a valve cover gasket faillure ??

If so there are some nice threads about fixing it. But i'm not 100% sure it's the valve cover gasket. Anybody who has seen this before ??

m5 deamon · 31st July 2008, 19:57

hard to tell did someone spill oil as they were toping her off i would clean t off and keep an eye on it

EricM5 · 31st July 2008, 20:03

Good tip,
The car just had a service but no leaks when I got the car back. After a while it showed this oil leakage. I cleaned it, and now it shows again. I'm afraid no oil spill. But I will clean it once again and hopefully it stays away now

mottati · 31st July 2008, 20:09

no, it looks like the little rubber grommets that surround the bolts are leaking. Very common, get a handful of each (there are two different grommets) and your dealer and replace them one at a time as they start leaking. Becareful not to overtighten the bolts and strip them.

Note: the one bolt that holds the ribbed cover should not be leaking, that covers the coils. If you have oil coming out of there you have some bigger problems!

everycredit · 31st July 2008, 20:53

While you're replacing the grommets, might as well replace the valve cover gasket.

EricM5 · 31st July 2008, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

Note: the one bolt that holds the ribbed cover should not be leaking, that covers the coils. If you have oil coming out of there you have some bigger problems!

Nope I just cleaned it again and those are nice and dry

mottati · 31st July 2008, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by everycredit

While you're replacing the grommets, might as well replace the valve cover gasket.

i don't know, the grommets are easy, do them one at a time and you're have no issues. I wouldn't go to the trouble of replacing a non leaking valve cover gasket.

EricM5 · 31st July 2008, 21:48

Oke great stuff guys thanks verry much.

I will watch the leak closely and post a new pic in a few days. If it still leaks, I think the 'mottati' option is the best one

ard · 1st August 2008, 17:50

Some folks forget to change the grommets when they re-do the valve cover gasket. New grommets every time.

Agree that changing the grommets is WAY easier than doing the whole thing. Worth a try.

EricM5 · 1st August 2008, 19:45

I just checked it again and there is a leak at the bold next to the oil cap.

So new grommets at the next service.