How to remove N52 valve cover

Big_CG · 09-08-2014, 10:47 PM

In the process of doing the gasket, have the valvetronic motor and everything off. The damn ignition wiring harness plastic guide that holds all the wires is in the way. I removed the ECU box cover. Still cant get the back of the valve cover to clear that wire harness plastic piece. Any secret that Im missing?

MBP0202 · 09-09-2014, 06:58 AM

It was a long time ago, but I recall when I did my VCG, the back of the valve cover was getting hung up on some piece (close to the windshield) so I got out my handy dremel tool and notched out a small 1-2 inch section of plastic that the weather stripping fits over and I was able to wiggle the cover out... Hope this helps.

hassmaschine · 09-09-2014, 12:17 PM

that whole harness piece comes off pretty easily. the instructions are in the guides for changing your spark plugs if you search for that.

stoppy · 09-10-2014, 11:42 AM

Ahhh I remember this job. I used this forum posting, it helped a lot. Someone made a video which was helpful.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=814611

Hope that helps,
Mike

simon · 09-10-2014, 11:53 AM

It's a major pain in the A. You just have to keep angling it and wiggling it until it works it's way out. Have fun putting it back in while keeping the gasket in place too.

Good luck.

Simon

09-10-2014, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBP0202

It was a long time ago, but I recall when I did my VCG, the back of the valve cover was getting hung up on some piece (close to the windshield) so I got out my handy dremel tool and notched out a small 1-2 inch section of plastic that the weather stripping fits over and I was able to wiggle the cover out... Hope this helps.

Won't that cause leaks.......

It comes out without modifying your car.

MBP0202 · 09-10-2014, 01:23 PM

Haven't noticed any leaks, it's just a plastic outline for which the weather stripping just fits over. Maybe the stripping is absorbing some extra water, but I've never noticed any leakage that has landed on the top of the engine cover from where I made the notch...

It just made it easier to get the VC off and a heck of a lot easier to get it back on without having to worry if the new gasket was staying in place while I put the valve cover back on.

09-10-2014, 11:44 PM

Lucky the N52 (non KP) uses a metal type gasket, and not the rubber groove type that the 2007+ 328i uses.

Big_CG · 09-11-2014, 11:46 AM

Ended up getting it off. Best way is to remove the plastic ignition harness cover so its just the wires hanging there, then the VC comes off

iDriveanXi · 09-12-2014, 08:01 AM

I did mine the other day and it was a bitch to get off too. Hope installation went well for you and no more leaks.

Taskmaster · 09-12-2014, 10:13 AM

Is it really that bad? Tell me that it's the worst part of the Eccentric shaft removal, and it's a 3 hour job, and I'll be fine.

Big_CG · 09-12-2014, 02:34 PM

Its fine. Just be sure to remove those plastic upper and lower covers of the ignition wire harnesses. I struggled with that when it was connected. Not bad once you get that off.

Be sure to torque the bolts back up evenly and to the proper 63 in lb+90 degrees in a criss cross order

Taskmaster · 09-12-2014, 03:15 PM

I don't have a torque wrench. This will be fun.

hassmaschine · 09-12-2014, 03:36 PM

63 in/lb is finger tight anyway. the point of using one in this case is so you don't overtorque them.

alternatively, the HF torque wrenches are actually pretty nice, and usually you can get one for under $20.

Taskmaster · 09-12-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

63 in/lb is finger tight anyway. the point of using one in this case is so you don't overtorque them.

alternatively, the HF torque wrenches are actually pretty nice, and usually you can get one for under $20.

have a link?

Actually, I'm all ears for a reasonably priced tool set.

iDriveanXi · 09-12-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I don't have a torque wrench. This will be fun.

I didn't torque my bolts and have no leaks. 7 ft lbs is not much at all just use your head when tightening. If you hear cracking plastic then you know to back off on the others haha. You'll be fine, good luck.

pj.rodriguez · 09-29-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_capitan

Its fine. Just be sure to remove those plastic upper and lower covers of the ignition wire harnesses. I struggled with that when it was connected. Not bad once you get that off.

Be sure to torque the bolts back up evenly and to the proper 63 in lb+90 degrees in a criss cross order

When you say criss cross, do you mean corner to diagonally opposite corner like wheel torquing or do you mean from one side to the other side alternating like a "Z"

bernard54321 · 09-30-2014, 06:45 AM

**** CAPTAIN SECRETS IS HERE ****

Drop the subframe and let it hang on the middle 2 bolts (long ones) it will give you about 2 inches of clearance and makes the job a piece of cake

~~~~~ flies away

simpleM3 · 10-07-2014, 03:32 PM

When installing the gasket, are any sealants or lubricants necessary for this job?

bernard54321 · 10-07-2014, 03:41 PM

No use only the gasket, and make sure both mating surfaces are dry

You may use something to hold the gasket in place while you move the valve cover but dont use to excess

simpleM3 · 10-08-2014, 11:00 AM

Thanks. Do you know what the torque specs are for the VC bolts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernard54321

No use only the gasket, and make sure both mating surfaces are dry

You may use something to hold the gasket in place while you move the valve cover but dont use to excess

bernard54321 · 10-08-2014, 12:51 PM

Not off the top of my head, but to be honest i dont think ive ever torqued vc bolts.. just tighten untill they stop and turn 45-90°

Maybe ive done enough of them that i know the "feel" of a tight bolt... if u feel unsure about the torque, i can get you the exact number but it will be later on today?

09-08-2014, 10:47 PM	#1
Big_CG Major 186 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SWFL iTrader: (8)	How to remove N52 valve cover In the process of doing the gasket, have the valvetronic motor and everything off. The damn ignition wiring harness plastic guide that holds all the wires is in the way. I removed the ECU box cover. Still cant get the back of the valve cover to clear that wire harness plastic piece. Any secret that Im missing?
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09-09-2014, 06:58 AM	#2
MBP0202 Private First Class 28 Rep 159 Posts Drives: n52 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Around... iTrader: (1)	It was a long time ago, but I recall when I did my VCG, the back of the valve cover was getting hung up on some piece (close to the windshield) so I got out my handy dremel tool and notched out a small 1-2 inch section of plastic that the weather stripping fits over and I was able to wiggle the cover out... Hope this helps. __________________ 2007 E90 328xi l 6MT l Sparkling Graphite Metallic l ZSP l ZPP l ZCW l iDrive l Logic 7 l Mapleridge Headers l 3 Stage Intake Manifold l AA tune l BMW Performance Intake l Euphoria 6K LED interior l Blacklines l V3 Mtec l VMR VB3
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09-09-2014, 12:17 PM	#3
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	that whole harness piece comes off pretty easily. the instructions are in the guides for changing your spark plugs if you search for that.
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09-10-2014, 11:42 AM	#4
stoppy Private 3 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2006 330i blk, Sport Pkg, 6spd Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario iTrader: (4)	Ahhh I remember this job. I used this forum posting, it helped a lot. Someone made a video which was helpful. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=814611 Hope that helps, Mike
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09-10-2014, 11:53 AM	#5
simon Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 222 Posts Drives: E92 Montego Blue 328i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	It's a major pain in the A. You just have to keep angling it and wiggling it until it works it's way out. Have fun putting it back in while keeping the gasket in place too. Good luck. Simon
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09-10-2014, 01:23 PM	#7
MBP0202 Private First Class 28 Rep 159 Posts Drives: n52 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Around... iTrader: (1)	Haven't noticed any leaks, it's just a plastic outline for which the weather stripping just fits over. Maybe the stripping is absorbing some extra water, but I've never noticed any leakage that has landed on the top of the engine cover from where I made the notch... It just made it easier to get the VC off and a heck of a lot easier to get it back on without having to worry if the new gasket was staying in place while I put the valve cover back on. __________________ 2007 E90 328xi l 6MT l Sparkling Graphite Metallic l ZSP l ZPP l ZCW l iDrive l Logic 7 l Mapleridge Headers l 3 Stage Intake Manifold l AA tune l BMW Performance Intake l Euphoria 6K LED interior l Blacklines l V3 Mtec l VMR VB3
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09-10-2014, 11:44 PM	#8
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Lucky the N52 (non KP) uses a metal type gasket, and not the rubber groove type that the 2007+ 328i uses.
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09-11-2014, 11:46 AM	#9
Big_CG Major 186 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SWFL iTrader: (8)	Ended up getting it off. Best way is to remove the plastic ignition harness cover so its just the wires hanging there, then the VC comes off
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09-12-2014, 08:01 AM	#10
iDriveanXi Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I did mine the other day and it was a bitch to get off too. Hope installation went well for you and no more leaks.
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09-12-2014, 10:13 AM	#11
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	Is it really that bad? Tell me that it's the worst part of the Eccentric shaft removal, and it's a 3 hour job, and I'll be fine.
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09-12-2014, 02:34 PM	#12
Big_CG Major 186 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SWFL iTrader: (8)	Its fine. Just be sure to remove those plastic upper and lower covers of the ignition wire harnesses. I struggled with that when it was connected. Not bad once you get that off. Be sure to torque the bolts back up evenly and to the proper 63 in lb+90 degrees in a criss cross order
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09-12-2014, 03:15 PM	#13
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	I don't have a torque wrench. This will be fun.
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09-12-2014, 03:36 PM	#14
hassmaschine Major General 3973 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	63 in/lb is finger tight anyway. the point of using one in this case is so you don't overtorque them. alternatively, the HF torque wrenches are actually pretty nice, and usually you can get one for under $20.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2014, 06:45 AM	#18
bernard54321 Lieutenant 55 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 2009 328I E90 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: l.a. california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 Bmw 330i [0.00] 2009 328I E90 [0.00]	** CAPTAIN SECRETS IS HERE ** Drop the subframe and let it hang on the middle 2 bolts (long ones) it will give you about 2 inches of clearance and makes the job a piece of cake ~~~~~ flies away
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10-07-2014, 03:32 PM	#19
simpleM3 Major 167 Rep 1,407 Posts Drives: 06' E46 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (13) Garage List 19’ BMW M5C [0.00] 2007 E61 530XI [0.00] 2006 E46 M3 [0.00]	When installing the gasket, are any sealants or lubricants necessary for this job?
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10-07-2014, 03:41 PM	#20
bernard54321 Lieutenant 55 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 2009 328I E90 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: l.a. california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 Bmw 330i [0.00] 2009 328I E90 [0.00]	No use only the gasket, and make sure both mating surfaces are dry You may use something to hold the gasket in place while you move the valve cover but dont use to excess
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10-08-2014, 12:51 PM	#22
bernard54321 Lieutenant 55 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 2009 328I E90 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: l.a. california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 Bmw 330i [0.00] 2009 328I E90 [0.00]	Not off the top of my head, but to be honest i dont think ive ever torqued vc bolts.. just tighten untill they stop and turn 45-90° Maybe ive done enough of them that i know the "feel" of a tight bolt... if u feel unsure about the torque, i can get you the exact number but it will be later on today?
	Appreciate 0 Quote