taking off my valve cover

[liquidtiger720]

I wanna take it off to repaint and see whats under there...but I want to make sure I have all the gaskets I need for reinstallation. And just to be sure...I dont need any special goo or crap when reinstalling the gasket right? Just slap it in place and torque it down? This would probably be the most complicated thing I've done to my car...hahahaha.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=11_1283&hg=11&fg=15

From what I see... I need:

Quantity Description # number

one SET OF PROFILE GASKETS 11129070531
?? RUBBER SEALING 11121437395


what else do you guys think I should replace while its off?


crankcase vent ...stuff like that. Anything that would be worn out after 10 years of driving.

[ericcamaro]

personally if you dont have any reason to pull it (ex. its not leaking oil into the plug hole), then I would leave it alone, But since you are doing this I would just replace the gaskets and make sure the oil passages are free of sludge. may be a good time to do the timing chain but It is a chain so it will prolly outlive the car. This would be the perfect time to slap in some m3 s50 cams. just a thought.

[mamilapon]

Maybe check the gaps while you're there.

[Mendozart]

No gaps to check, the M50 is self adjusting. Liquidtiger, you might want to pick up some of the #9 items on the realoem page. They are a hard rubber-type washer and they tend to get brittle and crack. I think you need 12, just count how many nuts are holding your valve cover.

[neil_004]

I believe the vanos engine needs 15 of #9.
There is a plate that covers the path to the crankcase vent. The rubber around mine was worn so I put some gasket maker on when I put it back together.
I replaced the hoses to the breather and the o-ring(5, 3, and 2).
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=11_1284&hg=11&fg=15

Its a good idea to clean up a bit before you take it off so any crap in the area dosent fall into the engine.