Re: 530i/540i valve cover gaskets, please help (archive)

Everything the other readers did, I did also, the cleaning of the mating surfaces is the best insurance for no leaking again. I also used a Permatex gasket sealent. I can't remember the name, but it is not a silicone (will not dry out) and it is not the old style shellac (for cork gaskets. It is blue in color and flows like silicone, but stays tacky for the life of the product. It is a low VOC product (little to no fumes). I got mine at Pep Boys - but am sure that any chain auto store should carry it. Used it on both the inner and outer valve cover gaskets and all of the "cap/nut seals" = the round cap/nut seals were also replaced.

RKL '94 540ia

Please help me.

I changed the pass. side valve cover gasket on my 530i to cure a small, albeit pesky, leak on the end closest to the firewall. drove the car up to my in-laws yesterday, 3 hours, and it still leaked. I tried to tighten it up a bit, but one of the studs broke. this is a real pain in the ass folks! So, i went to the store, bought some m6x1 threaded rod, and made some new ones. All the while, really messing up my wifes parent's driveway. Now it is all back together, but the thing seems to leak just as bad as before. i am scared to tightn it up until I get home. ( I have already had the gasket cover off twice today, and my wife wants to go home)

Anyway, does anyone have experience with this part of the cover leaking? I didn't use any sort of silicone or anything, as per the parts guy at BMW. but I cannot seem to get this thing solved. I will check back in about 3 hours, when I am at home, that is, if the thing doesn't catch fire and burn to the ground before i get to indianapolis.

Looking foward to some advice....

Nick Panich
1994 530ia

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.