In most cases, valve covers look great from first glance. However, as we take a closer look at the condition of a valve cover, we can typically see imperfections in the cover itself. Unfortunately, this can negatively affect how the valve cover seals on the top of our engine. In this video we took a look at a 1994 BMW E36 325is that was leaking oil from the valve cover gasket due to a failing valve cover
Valve Cover & Gasket Issues
As time progresses, a valve cover and the valve cover gasket take on a ton of abuse, because they have to deal with extreme temperatures nearly every time your car is driven. A valve cover gasket can begin to break down and leak oil onto your engine. Additionally, a valve cover can become warped and result in an uneven mating surface, causing oil to leak out of the valve cover gasket and down the side of your engine. This can sometimes be easily fixed by just replacing the valve cover gasket. However, if the valve cover is not replaced in serious circumstances, the new valve cover gasket can begin to leak oil fairly quickly once again.
BMW E36 Valve Cover
The BMW E36 in this video is equipped with a metal, magnesium valve cover. Over time, the magnesium can become damaged faster than aluminum or plastic valve covers. Please note, regardless of the type of valve cover your vehicle has, it can become damaged and need to be replaced at some point.
Types of Valve Covers
If you are curious about the different types of valve covers, please visit our article here: What kind of valve cover does my car have?
**For the BMW E36 fans out there, the Obd1 BMW E36 models were equipped with a m50b25 and came with a metal valve cover, while the Obd2 BMW E36 models M52b28’s came with a plastic cover**