Rocker cover gasket change 318is M42 - how difficult?

[BEERBOY123]

As title really. Have self diagnosed I need rocker gasket change. Obviously with new studs. Is this easily enough done at home (limited skill. fair amount of tools) or is it best left to the pros?

If so, how much might a main dealer charge and how much might a specialist charge?

Grateful for any views.

(Apologies, couldn't decide whether to post here or Technical Help. Feel free to move.)

BB

[Nobby_N]

Hows Ratch

[ross_jsy]

Rocker cover gasket change is incredibly easy.

[BEERBOY123]

Go on...

[ross_jsy]

I'm not going to hold your c0ck for you, if you can't figure it out by looking at it for 5 seconds, perhaps you should pay someone to do it.

Since it's a 10 minute job, expect to pay between £20 and £50.

[BEERBOY123]

Thanks. It was indeed easy to get the cover off etc. Is there anything else I should do while it's off. Change spark plugs obviously and all bolts? Anything else?

[Simon13]

theres no tappets to adjust so not really, just make sure the mating surfaces are nice and clean and free from oil an sh!t.

[BEERBOY123]

Cheers all

[Brianmoooore]

Use a torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the correct torque, and don't give them an extra bit 'for luck'. They shear fairly easily.

[BEERBOY123]

Thank you, I will. I can't seem to find the correct torque for cylinder head bolts on M42 on the wiki. Does anyone know? Also, is there an OEM bolts and and gasket set anyone can recommend? Happy to order from main dealer but part numbers are confusing. Gasket is 11 12 1 721 876 but the bolts are not so obvious.

Thanks again!

[Brianmoooore]

What's the rocker cover got to do with cylinder head bolts????

[BEERBOY123]

I don't know! The 16 bolts that hold the big lump of metal over the spark plugs! Whatever they are called. Or have I totally fu*ked up?

Do I mean rocker cover bolts?

[Nobby_N]

Put some pics up to help us Ratch

[DHFiS]

I don't know! The 16 bolts that hold the big lump of metal over the spark plugs! Whatever they are called. Or have I totally fu*ked up?

Do I mean rocker cover bolts?

There are no rockers on the M42 are there?

[BEERBOY123]

The nuts/bolts/thingummies that hold the metal cover over the top of the gasket!!! I just took them all off to get to the gasket thing with 14 holes in it. That was gently letting oil ooze over front of block thing (near fan).

Part number 11 12 1 721 876.

[Brianmoooore]

You need the plug hole gaskets as well.

[BEERBOY123]

Getting my new gasket set tomorrow and have prepped everything. Any other tips? Gasket sealant (guessing no). Any specific order of putting bolts back in? Have set wrench to 10nm etc. What is there for me to mess up?

[DHFiS]

You need to replace the seal that runs around the outer edge, the four seals that surround the spark plug openings and the seal on each of the bolts that holds the cover to the engine. When I did mine these were so hard I had to cut them off but the new ones are flexible enough to stretch over the threaded section and sit in the waisted cutout.

The bolts that hold the cover down are not all the same length so make sure they go back in the correct position.

Have a look at this diagram

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=11_0264

[BEERBOY123]

So... I followed procedures to the letter but now when I try to start, it turns over, doesn't catch and I can smell vague burning.


What have I done!

Help!

[Cypriotgeeza]

So... I followed procedures to the letter but now when I try to start, it turns over, doesn't catch and I can smell vague burning.


What have I done!

Help!

have you mixed up the HT leads?

As a beginner its best to mark them or tag them for reassembly

the burning you can smell is probably a bit of oil residue which has dripped onto the exhaust manifold..it will burn off in time

[BEERBOY123]

Sorted now cheers

[Cypriotgeeza]

Sorted now cheers

What was the problem?