GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: oil on m50 plugs, valve cover gasket right?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    89

    Default oil on m50 plugs, valve cover gasket right?

    had some hesitation and found oil on 4 of the 6 plugs. cleaned them and it runs better.

    i'm not too familiar with this engine yet, so i just want to make sure that it's the vavle cover gasket.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default That was the experience on my car

    I have heard that oil on the plugs can cause the coils to fail and possibly affect/damage the ECU I would replace the valve cover gasket asap. Just my opinion.


    Quote Originally Posted by RIPN RAY
    had some hesitation and found oil on 4 of the 6 plugs. cleaned them and it runs better.

    i'm not too familiar with this engine yet, so i just want to make sure that it's the vavle cover gasket.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Yup, most likely the inner gasket around the plugs. Easy fix...

    Bob Cooper
    1992 525i
    1989 325i/S50

  4. #4

    Default

    I just replaced my valve cover gaskets last Friday. I did both sides in <2 hrs. The passenger side was kind of difficult due to A/C lines in the way of getting the valve cover out completely. I was able to snake the old gaskets out and get the new ones in without taking the valve cover out. You must be patient and cautious to be certain that the new gasket gets seated properly on that side, but it can be done.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    585

    Default just did this job too...

    Quote Originally Posted by RIPN RAY
    had some hesitation and found oil on 4 of the 6 plugs. cleaned them and it runs better.

    i'm not too familiar with this engine yet, so i just want to make sure that it's the vavle cover gasket.
    ...well, I'm still right in the middle of it since I dropped one of the cap nuts that secures the cover and lost it to the "twilight zone"...had to order one from the stealer (which should be in today!).

    The gaskets come in a set (see #3 in diagram...make sure you get the correct one if you have VANOS): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...83&hg=11&fg=15

    I discovered oil in cylinders 1-2-3 when I was putting in new spark plugs.
    Q
    95 525iT / 97 740iL



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Calgary,AB
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Can someone explain to me a bit more about this problem of oil on plug?
    Valve cover gasket was replaced after putting new cam in. How does gasket
    failure get oil on plugs? How does this affect ECU? My rev limit has changed
    since too. It randomly cuts at about 5500 now. Need new ECU? Help!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Calgary AB Canada
    Posts
    589

    Default It doesn't affect your car

    Quote Originally Posted by melteezin
    Can someone explain to me a bit more about this problem of oil on plug?
    Valve cover gasket was replaced after putting new cam in. How does gasket
    failure get oil on plugs? How does this affect ECU? My rev limit has changed
    since too. It randomly cuts at about 5500 now. Need new ECU? Help!
    You have the M20 motor. The M50 motors have 4 valves per cyilinder and coil on plug ingnition. When the valve gasket leaks, oil gets into the spark plub wells and shorts out the coils.

    HTH,
    Anthony
    Anthony
    03/64 production

    '91M5 - 11/90, was mine, it's Jim's now.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    5,403

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by melteezin
    Can someone explain to me a bit more about this problem of oil on plug?
    Valve cover gasket was replaced after putting new cam in. How does gasket
    failure get oil on plugs? How does this affect ECU? My rev limit has changed
    since too. It randomly cuts at about 5500 now. Need new ECU? Help!

    The oil seeps up from the cam channels and sprayer bar. It then goes down inside the spark plug holes... and puddles up around the spark plugs, fouling them and the COIL PACKS. Not the ECU, the ECU isn't really effected. The coil packs however, at $90/ea (cheapest usually, new) can be ruined.

Similar Threads

  1. valve cover gasket
    By wolfpack in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-24-2008, 04:33 PM
  2. valve cover gasket job
    By pheno in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-03-2007, 06:57 AM
  3. 95 525 Valve Cover Gasket
    By Scott C in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-07-2006, 10:53 AM
  4. Help! Doing Valve Cover Gasket
    By 530iBall in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-26-2006, 11:50 AM
  5. Valve Cover Gasket
    By Shaun in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-12-2004, 01:09 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •