X5 35D valve cover stuff

[Trick_Speed_9941]

I started having an odd smell under the hood. Then one day after driving it for a good long while around town, I pulled into my driveway and saw faint smoke coming from the engine compartment. I pulled the intake assembly and the covers and started inspecting with a nice bright flashlight. I could see some oil wetting higher up on the valve cover on the passenger side which I though was weird but it wasn't bad. I couldn't see behind the engine too well but swiped my hand back there and there is some oil. Enough that could form a drop eventually which ends up on the down pipe. So naturally, I thought I had a bad valve cover gasket. I pulled the valve cover and the gasket isn't flat or anything so now I'm a little stumped. Is it possible that a bad PCV could be causing some oil to blow out somewhere on the PCV channel? What else should I check?

[Smonkbmw]

Cracked valve cover?
I’d still replace the gasket.

[Clifton]

Definitely check the PCV, but also inspect the CCV breather house as they are a known weak point that will crack with age allowing blow by. There are several ways to fix without having to buy BMW part which can’t be purchased by itself.

Link to replacement

Link to DIY

[Trick_Speed_9941]

Originally Posted by Smonkbmw

Cracked valve cover?
I’d still replace the gasket.

I did replace the gasket. The valve cover appeared to have oil wetting above the gasket line. I got it all put back together and will drive it around for a while to see what happens. I inspected the valve cover and couldn't really see any cracks on it.

[Trick_Speed_9941]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Definitely check the PCV, but also inspect the CCV breather house as they are a known weak point that will crack with age allowing blow by. There are several ways to fix without having to buy BMW part which can’t be purchased by itself.

Link to replacement

Link to DIY

I have an N57 engine and my valve cover looks a lot different than that one.

[smyles]

Cracked cover. Replace it.

P.S. M57 and N57 are completely different engines. Folks should refrain from giving M57-related advices.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by Trick_Speed_9941

I have an N57 engine and my valve cover looks a lot different than that one.

Understand - but the CCV breather is the same between the N57 and M57. Both crack over time and dump oil near the valve cover. Read the part description - it states its for the M57 AND N57.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by smyles

P.S. M57 and N57 are completely different engines. Folks should refrain from giving M57-related advices.

Part and advice is for the N57. Video DIY is for the M57, however, procedure and location of the breather is the same on both engines. Folks might want to give the benefit of the doubt to others and read the provided info before commenting that it's wrong.