Valve Cover CRACKED @ 95k!

[DBoard9]

My 2014 X1 (95,000 miles) started leaking oil last month, dripping on the exhaust manifold. I presumed it was the valve cover gasket.

Discovered the valve cover was CRACKED. My independent shop said this is common. Labor + parts ~$1100.

It's a plastic valve cover. New one is identical to the original so I expect it will fail after a similar period

[0w40X1]

Do you turn on Eco-pro when driving? How would you describe your driving? Is there some towing or driving up mountain roads?

[Gamb1t]

Which model? 28i? 35i?

Normally VCG starts will weeping as your early tell tale signs.
If it's the valve cover itself then that's a different matter.
Working on the VCG in a 28i isn't too hard due to the 4-banger in an engine bay designed for 6-bangers. Now 35i would be a different matter.

[DBoard9]

Sorry, it's a 28i

EcoPro on, not towing, flat roads.
I drive pretty mildly looking for best fuel economy -
The violently jerky downshifts occurred during moderate acceleration, NOT floored.

First time it happened the Check Engine Light illuminated and stayed on.
I pulled over, shut off the engine and restarted after ~20 seconds.
CEL stayed off but the jerky downshifts remain - again, only from 8th or 7th gear.

[0w40X1]

The reason I ask about Eco-Pro is that my s28i runs about 215 deg F on a hot day with AC on and no Eco-Pro.

With Eco-Pro on the temp can run up to 236 deg f. I use a Scangauge II so I know the temps in real time.

I might use Eco-pro in winter for short trips to get temps up, but I'll never use it on any warm day.

I think running engine hotter can ruin that plastic valve cover sooner.

[Gamb1t]

^+1.
Eco-Pro prevents the coolant from circulating until higher temp is achieved. This is to enable the engine to reach operating temp faster that results in exiting closed loop conditions = better for emissions = great for ecology/economy. See Eco-Pro.
There's a document somewhere that details this.

But I am not sure how it would link to vcg/valve cover leaks.

[0w40X1]

Eco-Pro does more than get temps up faster, It keeps temps abnormally high as I said catching them up to 236 deg f.

That means that the head is also getting much hotter, and can fry the plastic valve cover which is much closer to the hot parts than most valve covers.

Hotter might also be problem for the plastic timing chain guides.

BMW makes these engine run as hot as they can already.

I prefer the 215 deg f I see on most hot days with AC.

[surfsup613]

I have an sdrive28i, 2015 X1, just passed 70k and I had the exact same valve cover leaking and dripping onto the hot exhaust. It was becoming a big concern and I was worried it was going to catch on fire at some point with enough oil leaking. Really disappointing to have to do this at 68k miles!

As many of you know, now that the entire valve cover is plastic (not aluminum like it used to be) it is imperative to replace the ENTIRE valve cover, not just the gasket. Of all the places to use plastic, I ask you BMW, WHYYYY?!?!?!

Anyways, I was able to successfully replace the entire valve cover myself. It was not a job for a beginner, however, I have done more difficult, this is maybe a 6/10 for difficulty. It was critical to prepare for every step of this job, excellent DIY's can be found on this forum and Youtube. You MUST have a mini ratcheting torx wrench to remove the bolts holding the vacuum pump on the back of the engine, there is very little room, so got one on Amazon for $10 and this was a must have tool to complete the job.

Also it is very important that the engine is manually cranked to dead low center point before re-installing the high pressure fuel pump. Failure to do this can break the HPFP spring when you start the engine.

Long story short, I did it myself, but I can understand those that are not comfortable doing this job, and having a mechanic do it. Either way, these E84's are great cars but the plastic valve cover thing is just idiotic, another example of them not caring at all about longevity/reliability and using plastic where metal would not have this problem.

I hope this can help someone else!

Helpful Links:
DIY:https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1700714
DIY video:

Other DIY Video:

High pressure fuel pump re-install video

Wrench on amazon to get:https://www.amazon.com/KAIFNT-Screwd...377366&sr=8-10

[rgelinskey]

The valve cover on my 2014 X1 cracked also. As you probably know this seems to be typical for these plastic valve covers. Mine started leaking around 100,000 miles, but it might have been before that. Oil was dripping onto the exhaust manifold and causing quite a mess and smell.

I just now decided it was time to change it at around 138,000 miles. I was putting up with the smoke and smell until I decided how I was going to fix it. Thanks to YouTube doing it myself seemed plausible. There are some great videos showing how to do it. This is the one I used:

I also changed out the spark plugs while I was at it. Total cost for parts was around $200 through Amazon. Good luck!

[cwickberg]

Just replaced mine last month at 115k miles. Straight forward job....
Ib ordered OEM and cheaper Chinese knock off to see difference... Chinese one has thinner walls and gasket seats area... with all the labor involved I decided to put on OEM one. Also replace the small hose

[RandyM4A1]

Originally Posted by cwickberg

Just replaced mine last month at 115k miles. Straight forward job....
Ib ordered OEM and cheaper Chinese knock off to see difference... Chinese one has thinner walls and gasket seats area... with all the labor involved I decided to put on OEM one. Also replace the small hose

I noticed you're driving an X1 35i N55. mine has a rod knock and replacing the rod bearings so...
At 70k BMW has engine oil leak or Timing Chain issues.
After 100k BMW has rod bearing issues.

[Westies]

Originally Posted by RandyM4A1

I noticed you're driving an X1 35i N55. mine has a rod knock and replacing the rod bearings so...
At 70k BMW has engine oil leak or Timing Chain issues.
After 100k BMW has rod bearing issues.

Plenty of N55's go well into the 100k's without issue. IIRC there is a member on here that has close to 200k on his.