Valve cover gasket

[colb]

Autodoc delivery time takes longer than UK parts suppliers as they ship from Berlin as far as I can make out but have used them a few times and have had delivery within 1 week, happy enough to wait as their prices are far cheaper and the choice of Brands is better.
Their search system on part numbers is a bonus, use the required BMW part number taken from OEM parts site and put that in the Autodoc search and it brings back a list of Brands they can supply. I usually go for known good brands like Elring for gaskets. Sensors usually Bosch or Siemens although I have had good results with using Hass brand.
Don't forget you can ask Sophers BMW at Lincoln for prices and ask for Forum discount, they post out to you same day on small parts often cheaper than ebay prices.

 

[rmoconnor41]

Autodoc delivery time takes longer than UK parts suppliers as they ship from Berlin as far as I can make out but have used them a few times and have had delivery within 1 week, happy enough to wait as their prices are far cheaper and the choice of Brands is better.
Their search system on part numbers is a bonus, use the required BMW part number taken from OEM parts site and put that in the Autodoc search and it brings back a list of Brands they can supply. I usually go for known good brands like Elring for gaskets. Sensors usually Bosch or Siemens although I have had good results with using Hass brand.
Don't forget you can ask Sophers BMW at Lincoln for prices and ask for Forum discount, they post out to you same day on small parts often cheaper than ebay prices.

Thanks

 

[Ianmc]

I have used Sopers Lincoln quite a few times over the years for small (post able) parts for both our Z3 and E36. Very helpful and fair prices.

 

[rmoconnor41]

The Elring gasket with all the bits was ordered Thursday from Autodoc and arrived today (Tuesday) which isn’t bad.

can’t wait to get it fitted in the hope it improves the rough idle at cold.

 

[rmoconnor41]

The job was completed relatively quickly with a lot of help from Ant Stark.


The old gasket wasn't too bad, just brittle in a few places.


Took several attempts to re sit the new gasket as it kept dropping out of the corner of the cover. A tiny bit of gasket sealant did the trick.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Oh and it doesn't leak.

 

[colb]

Just did a 3.0l camcover gasket using Elring kit which includes the round rubber cover bolts seals. Always stick to BMW TIS instructions by applying blue Hylomar sealant only where the gasket changes direction around the half moon shapes at front and rear of the cover. It assists if you use some sealant as dabs in a few places so it holds the gasket in place when you lower it back onto the engine. You don't need sealant on the mating surface that has small ribs that compress to achieve a good seal, hence the use of new round seals so they compress sufficiently. Old seals will be hard and not compress sufficiently to achieve a good seal.

 

[AntStark]

Sealant was only used on the mating surfaces on the half moons and where the vanos joins... the rest was to hold the pesky gasket onto the valve cover whilst you flip it upside down.