BMWALEX478 0 Report post Posted February 12 Hi all, Im taking my 2007 130i into the shop tomorrow to replace both the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets. I just have a quick question, I have heard that since I have the LCI, with the plastic valve cover (black engine cover) I also need to replace the entire valve cover along with the gasket. Is this true? Also, they quoted my another $350 on top of the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets to replace the valvetronic motor gasket, is it a smart idea to go ahead with this. (im on a very tight budget) Thank in advance, any help or stuff I should know about the valve cover would be amazing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1702 Report post Posted February 12 They are probably saying to replace the entire valve cover and gasket because they are known to develop small cracks, they also contain the PCV valve built into the cover which can fail. If you just do the gasket there is chance that it still may leak to a crack, not so bad if you can DIY but if you paying someone if can be expensive if you have to re-do the job. Changing the valve cover gasket means you usually do the motor gasket and eccentric seal and the same time since you are removing the motor. An additional $350 is way too much for the just the motor gasket, $100-150 at the most since you already in there. Doing the that job by its self is 30-1 hr labor being generous and a ~$60-80 gasket if its genuine and they arent marking it up heavily. What are they charging you do the other valve cover and oil filter housing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMWALEX478 0 Report post Posted February 12 (edited) They quoted $1442 for valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket and oil change with filter. I don't have any tools and no experience would it possible for me to try or should I leave it to the professionals? Edited February 12 by BMWALEX478 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2125 Report post Posted February 12 (edited) Actually most replacement valve covers come with the valvetronic gasket and the eccentric gasket. And you need to take the valvetronic motor out to remove the valve cover.. The brand you get is important too. There are some horrible cheap Chinese covers that some NZ places supply. This is the one I got. Came with all those gaskets. Great quality. https://spareto.com/products/febi-bilstein-cylinder-head-cover/103099 It is doable by the home mechanic if you have the right tools and some patience for the PCV hoses. I am about to do the other two gaskets on the weekend too. Messy job but very easy. I should add. If you do it yourself you need a tool to reset the adaptation values for the valvetronic motor. Edited February 12 by Driftit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1702 Report post Posted February 12 1 hour ago, BMWALEX478 said: They quoted $1442 for valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket and oil change with filter. I don't have any tools and no experience would it possible for me to try or should I leave it to the professionals? Sounds a bit expensive, but i dont what the average labour rate is up there and what parts they are using. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself based on that, even with tools and some experience there is plenty of stuff you can easily damage and break on these engines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n54 guru 0 Report post Posted February 13 (edited) Crazy prices as usual I can do a rocker cover gasket on an n54 in 2 hours and the oil filter housing and another few. Then use metal parts to make it more reliable. Your engine could even be quicker! https://www.facebook.com/groups/823590501696609/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT Edited February 13 by n54 guru Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMWALEX478 0 Report post Posted February 13 Thanks everyone for the input. So I just dropped it off, I decided to only do the oil filter housing gaskets for now as I think I will replace the entire valve cover itself later as it is not as urgent if I am correct. They said they source the oil filter housing gasket from BMW but they were very expensive so I hope they are quality. I also decided to do full oil change while it's there, smoke test, fluids top up and scan my check engine light which was not planned in the previous quote of $1442 without replacing the whole valve cover. I hope I didn't get scammed too badly, $1000 😬 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 2185 Report post Posted February 13 Where did you take it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMWALEX478 0 Report post Posted February 13 P&S autocare Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 2185 Report post Posted February 13 They wont be ripping you off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMWALEX478 0 Report post Posted February 13 they are charging me $190 for the gaskets themselves, do you reckon I should buy my own and supply them because from what ive heard that is a lot for the gaskets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1702 Report post Posted February 13 Genuine BMW parts do have quite bit of markup on certain items + business markup. Aftermarket gaskets made by the same company (ie Erling) can be had for cheaper. Main issue with people supplying parts is supplying the wrong parts which isnt that much of an issue with BMW because they have a proper database and part numbers. A Spareto order using bmwfans.info for the Erling brand stuff is probably going to save you a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danch 37 Report post Posted February 13 I had the OFHG done by P&S Auto last year. I did supply the gaskets to save some money. I ordered the gaskets from Spareto. You may as well as order other stuff while you are at it. Just don't make it over 1000 NZD (incl. Shipping), otherwise you'll be pinged with duty & gst charges. I learnt it the hard way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
