Thanks for posting. I just did this and wanted to offer some tips on REMOVING and REATTACHING the cover. 1) remove the 2 identical sensors attached to the valve cover by unscrewing the torx screws and then pulling up on them. They are attached by an o-ring which you should replace. Note this isn't the fragile pointy plastic sensor that originates from inside the engine. 2) The main resistance is caused by the spark plug tubes. They respond to wiggling. If you remove the rubber bushing around the bolts, it will let you wiggle the cover more. The tradeoff is that it generates additional debris that you will need to clean up, but makes removing easier. If you have any of the spark plug tubes attached to the valve cover when you lift up, you need to get them off. I reached in with a gloved hand and was able to wiggle each of them out of cover. Once you do that the cover is clear to be removed. REATTACHING problem 3) If you are having trouble with the bottom 4 bolts not being long enough to catch the threads the issue is NOT with the thick bushing or the gasket. The issue is that the red tabs on the inside of the cover is hitting the the edge of the block and are not inside. They are designed to "snap" into the block and need to be pushed over a ridge on the inside of the block. Take a careful look and slide the cover up/down/left/right to find the right place to push and pop the cover into place. You should NOT use a rubber mallet or stacked washers to force the cover past the bolts. All this will do is break the red tabs. The secret to this is to NOT put any of the rubber bushing in place until the cover snaps in. This gives you much more room the adjust/compress/and push the cover on. GOOD luck and THANKS to ShopLifeTV for such a great service to all BMW 550i owners.
Thx a lot. The red guides are actually a nightmare.... i've a 550i too. I've read sometimes they can be removed because they are useless. You confirm this ?
Thank you so much, this was the problem i was told I had from my my BMW dealership, I have a 645ci 2004, they want approx $1400 which is about £1100 in the UK with 4 hours labour, you make it look so easy!!!
This kid is a hard worker! Love how it’s a couple ping this together. My man needs some air tools every video I’ve seen of his he’s only using hand tools.. give your hands and fingers a break and use air tools speeds up the job also.
Great video,,I am old bmw guy and changing valve cover gaskets,,been fitting forever on it...after watching your video a 100 times,,,you don't have the step of removing fuel rail.,,unless I messed it.
Awesome DIY vid man! I'm following you step by step, but I am stuck getting the valve covers to re-seat properly. It seems the spark plug/coil pipes are preventing the covers from going all the way down, and I'm hesitant about hitting the cover with a rubber mallet or something. How did you get the covers to seat so easily? Did you use some sort of lubricant?
Q - at 4:30 you remove the valvetronic seal and replace it other way round. Take old off with rimmed side up and replace with rimmed face down - what's the correct way to install seal? Thx
What is the proper way to remove the eccentric shaft ?? U didn’t say in vid just in bolted it I thought there was a certain way to do this. If anyone knows thanks so much.
? For ya tho fella I'm buying 550i from says he did valve cover gaskets and now car has misfire. He says he did coils still has misfire. I'm hoping it needs plugs but if plugs r ok. What u THINK it could b remind u was fine till did valve covers. Plugs. Or maybe somethung w the vvt system?
I never work on any car before. After I watch your video and I am temp to DIY my 528i oil leak issue. Take to BWM mechanic he ask near two grand to replace the gasket! It's 528i less stuff to remove?
Don't pry it since you might end up cracking the cover, use a rubber mallet to tap around gently, and then keep trying to move it around until the gasket gives. Somebody probably put a bunch of gasket maker on previously. Make sure you have all of the bolts removed as well.
I’m having issues with AC line clearance on passenger side and other video comments mention removing the line with all that entails but if you look properly minute 12:17 the line is still hooked up! I believe some come with slightly shorter AC lines which don’t allow for adequate displacement!! Bitch of a problem!!
hey buddy im working on a 04 x5 4.4 taking off the valvetronic is it safe to take it off anytime? i herd u can mee up the valve if u dont fallow something im just worry i might mess up something
How do I get the three plastic valve cover guides replaced that are found on the bottom of the valve cover. Two of mine got cracked. I don't want to purchase the entire valve cover just for those three pieces. Any suggestions?
Al, what was the outcome here on your problem with the plastic guides under the vc? I broke two. I am not sure if they are for positioning, or to prevent warping of the vc, since it's near the exhaust side of the head.
Very hard to get valve cover off on my car. All screws are off and front side of driver side VC seems ready to come off but the rear side doesn't want to budge. I don't wanna break anything anyone have ideas?
For the 4 rubber grommets at the bottom of the valve cover, can I use the long 10mm bolts with the divet that go on top instead of the shorter ones on bottom . Reason is the a/c hose is in the way on passenger side and will not budge and it requires a lot of pressure to push in the rubber grommet so the bolt can touch and screw in. I'm pretty strong and I couldn't do it so I lost the grommet and screw down in the engine so I'm contemplating on buying the top valve cover 10mm bolt with divet which is a bit longer so it can make contact with the screw. Is that OK
BMW come on way to much bull shit on these engines. 10 hr job just do change your piece of shit material valve cover gaskets. Fuck pulling th Motor been easier good lord
Thanks for posting. I just did this and wanted to offer some tips on REMOVING and REATTACHING the cover. 1) remove the 2 identical sensors attached to the valve cover by unscrewing the torx screws and then pulling up on them. They are attached by an o-ring which you should replace. Note this isn't the fragile pointy plastic sensor that originates from inside the engine. 2) The main resistance is caused by the spark plug tubes. They respond to wiggling. If you remove the rubber bushing around the bolts, it will let you wiggle the cover more. The tradeoff is that it generates additional debris that you will need to clean up, but makes removing easier. If you have any of the spark plug tubes attached to the valve cover when you lift up, you need to get them off. I reached in with a gloved hand and was able to wiggle each of them out of cover. Once you do that the cover is clear to be removed. REATTACHING problem 3) If you are having trouble with the bottom 4 bolts not being long enough to catch the threads the issue is NOT with the thick bushing or the gasket. The issue is that the red tabs on the inside of the cover is hitting the the edge of the block and are not inside. They are designed to "snap" into the block and need to be pushed over a ridge on the inside of the block. Take a careful look and slide the cover up/down/left/right to find the right place to push and pop the cover into place. You should NOT use a rubber mallet or stacked washers to force the cover past the bolts. All this will do is break the red tabs. The secret to this is to NOT put any of the rubber bushing in place until the cover snaps in. This gives you much more room the adjust/compress/and push the cover on. GOOD luck and THANKS to ShopLifeTV for such a great service to all BMW 550i owners.
Thx a lot. The red guides are actually a nightmare.... i've a 550i too. I've read sometimes they can be removed because they are useless. You confirm this ?
It's OK :)))) I've remounted the cover with red guides in 10mins :) Thx a lot again ;)
Great advice!!
Removed that shit
Thanks for the tip on red tabs, I was wondering why the lower half of the cover wouldn't seat right.
You do the best videos for the BMW hands down. Good work man.
This guy is very good hats off.
Thank you so much, this was the problem i was told I had from my my BMW dealership, I have a 645ci 2004, they want approx $1400 which is about £1100 in the UK with 4 hours labour, you make it look so easy!!!
This kid is a hard worker! Love how it’s a couple ping this together. My man needs some air tools every video I’ve seen of his he’s only using hand tools.. give your hands and fingers a break and use air tools speeds up the job also.
Very useful video!
I have the same car.
Respect from Russia!👍🏻💪🏻
Thank you for sharing this video this is exactly what I am working on I am a diy at heart and this video help me speed up the process thanks again
Dude thank you for showing me how to remove valve cover removal. Great video
Great video,,I am old bmw guy and changing valve cover gaskets,,been fitting forever on it...after watching your video a 100 times,,,you don't have the step of removing fuel rail.,,unless I messed it.
Or I just missed it...but great vid!
Awesome DIY vid man! I'm following you step by step, but I am stuck getting the valve covers to re-seat properly. It seems the spark plug/coil pipes are preventing the covers from going all the way down, and I'm hesitant about hitting the cover with a rubber mallet or something. How did you get the covers to seat so easily? Did you use some sort of lubricant?
Q - at 4:30 you remove the valvetronic seal and replace it other way round. Take old off with rimmed side up and replace with rimmed face down - what's the correct way to install seal? Thx
Dude, best video ever, thanks
Thank you!
What do u charge for this job curious?? Thanks brother love your attitude and your fearless mind set about tackling the jobs u do.
very descriptive. thank you!!
What is the proper way to remove the eccentric shaft ?? U didn’t say in vid just in bolted it I thought there was a certain way to do this. If anyone knows thanks so much.
thanks for your DIY. Quick question is it OK that some grommet compress alot and some dont?
Hello valve cover doesn’t want to come off .
it’s stuck . What should i do ?
This engine makes me feel happy that i bought the n52
pretty solid engines if you ask me
Great vid might as well change the spark plugs while it’s all open lol
My man helps me with my 550 tranny solenoids and now my leaking pig of a 550 valve cover gasket
? For ya tho fella I'm buying 550i from says he did valve cover gaskets and now car has misfire. He says he did coils still has misfire. I'm hoping it needs plugs but if plugs r ok. What u THINK it could b remind u was fine till did valve covers. Plugs. Or maybe somethung w the vvt system?
So maybe I missed it but my question is did you have to drain any oil before taking off the valve covers?
I love your videos hope to see more e60 vids
I never work on any car before. After I watch your video and I am temp to DIY my 528i oil leak issue. Take to BWM mechanic he ask near two grand to replace the gasket! It's 528i less stuff to remove?
How were you able to remove the VC so easily? I removed all bolts on the passenger side VC but it's stuck on there. Should I try to pry it off??
Don't pry it since you might end up cracking the cover, use a rubber mallet to tap around gently, and then keep trying to move it around until the gasket gives. Somebody probably put a bunch of gasket maker on previously. Make sure you have all of the bolts removed as well.
+ShopLifeTV thank you!!
dude awesome video
Are your not going to mention the coolant hoses you disconnected , or how about the fuel rails have way more parts attached
I’m having issues with AC line clearance on passenger side and other video comments mention removing the line with all that entails but if you look properly minute 12:17 the line is still hooked up! I believe some come with slightly shorter AC lines which don’t allow for adequate displacement!! Bitch of a problem!!
I sold my 550i last year I regret it every single day
hey buddy im working on a 04 x5 4.4 taking off the valvetronic is it safe to take it off anytime? i herd u can mee up the valve if u dont fallow something im just worry i might mess up something
thanks brother your worth a sub,your vids really help.my bmw is getting on my fuckin last nerve
How do I get the three plastic valve cover guides replaced that are found on the bottom of the valve cover. Two of mine got cracked. I don't want to purchase the entire valve cover just for those three pieces. Any suggestions?
Al, what was the outcome here on your problem with the plastic guides under the vc? I broke two. I am not sure if they are for positioning, or to prevent warping of the vc, since it's near the exhaust side of the head.
my man good cideos do you have one where you do the timing on that particular engine n62
Very hard to get valve cover off on my car. All screws are off and front side of driver side VC seems ready to come off but the rear side doesn't want to budge. I don't wanna break anything anyone have ideas?
Thanks so much! Made doing this a lot easier!
Would this apply to my 2010 bmw 650i too?
You are the man. I doubt I'm going to DIMS.
Thank you so much this help me a lot bro.
Do you have a shop ? I see you have a nc state hoodie I’m in Raleigh and need this done
Could you do diy on how to replace alternator bracket seal. That would be great.
Is there a special way to remove the valve tronics from the valve cover? ... Heard stories abt taking them off incorrectly
Did you ever figure out if there is a trick to it....working on one right now I’m kinda scared to remove
For the 4 rubber grommets at the bottom of the valve cover, can I use the long 10mm bolts with the divet that go on top instead of the shorter ones on bottom . Reason is the a/c hose is in the way on passenger side and will not budge and it requires a lot of pressure to push in the rubber grommet so the bolt can touch and screw in. I'm pretty strong and I couldn't do it so I lost the grommet and screw down in the engine so I'm contemplating on buying the top valve cover 10mm bolt with divet which is a bit longer so it can make contact with the screw. Is that OK
RRGMedia what did you end up doing ? Having same issue.
You’re the guyyyy
Show how you take out the cam advance, for intake, and how you put it back, you skip it
great vid. thank you
Very good video series.
the new gasket does not fit tight in the groove cover , it is normal that is loose
?
Put gasket maker on the crowns and where the timing cover meets the head
I am geting ready to do upper and lower control arms any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated from anyone thanks
Did you install the spark plug tubes in the valve cover or the head first you skipped that important step..
Anyone who is thinking of doing this, you might also change the spark plugs too since they are right there
Good video
Well done! ThanQ.
change valve cover gasket secondary problem code :2a8e????HELP
what was it
Are you located close to Charlotte? I have a 2010 550i that needs a valve cover gasket done. This did not make me want to do it myself lol
but i have 07 750li. is it the same process?
+kaleab2009 The process should be very similar.
Not to be captain obvious. But know is a great time To change out your spark ⚡️ plugs!!
I HAVE WIGHTE SMOKE FROM EXASUT CAN U PLZ IDENTIFY WHAT WILL THE PROBLEM
Valve stemseals
Haroon Tahir did you get it fixed?? How many miles does you 550 have
What's your location buddy
which side is bank 1
Como cambiar el motor del varvetronic
do this with a 645i...less room
You should of just did the valve stems seals to because of the V 8 engine I’m sure his car is going to start smoking soon
Transmission control module diy please? For a E60 550i
I don't have any e60's to make that diy on unfortunately, if I get one in, I will try to make a video.
Thanks alot!! these diy videos have helped alot! keep it up!
I just replace the valve covers as a complete assembly. The plastic warps or cracks over time.
Hi I have a 05 BMW 745li I'm have issues with my trans not shifting will this part cause this valve body seal # 7 588 727
#raleighautoservice
BMW come on way to much bull shit on these engines.
10 hr job just do change your piece of shit material valve cover gaskets. Fuck pulling th Motor been easier good lord