Technical Car Experts Answers everything you need: Camshaft (Cylinder Head) Cover removal procedure for bmw 330ci?

Removal & Installation

E30 Models
M20 Engine

Disconnect the intake manifold to valve cover brace.

Disconnect the crankcase breather hose.

Remove the 8 nuts holding the cover. Remove the cover and gasket.

To install:

Clean the mating flanges of the cylinder head and the valve cover. Install the new gasket on the cylinder head.

Attach the ground strap at the rear stud and install the ignition lead loom.

Tighten the 8 nuts in a crisscross pattern starting at the center of the valve cover. Torque to 70-88.5 inch lbs. (8-10 Nm).

Connect the crankcase breather hose. Install the intake manifold support and torque to 15-17 ft. lbs. (20-24 Nm).

M42 Engine

Fig. Remove the entire ignition lead loom before removing the valve cover on the M42 engine

Fig. The M42 and M50 engine valve cover is mounted via rubber isolators that must be kept in position during installation

Remove the spark plug valley cover from the valve cover. The 2 trim fasteners are rotated 90° and the cover is removed.

Disconnect the spark plug leads. Remove the 2 screws holding the ignition lead loom and place the loom off to the side.

Disconnect the crankcase breather hose from the valve cover. Remove the 15 bolts along the edges and in the center of the valve cover, then remove the cover.

NOTE

The mounting bolts pass through rubber isolators. Check that all the isolators are in place and did not drop into the cylinder head when removed. Check the condition of the isolators and replace as necessary.

Check the condition of the valve cover gasket and replace as necessary.

To install:

Clean the mating areas of the cylinder head and the valve cover. Install the valve cover gasket into the valve cover.

Place the valve cover on the cylinder head. Check that all the isolators are in place at the bolt holes. Check the gasket is properly fitted at the rear of the cylinder head.

Torque the 15 bolts 6-7 ft. lbs. (8-10 Nm) in a crisscrossing pattern to evenly tighten.

Connect the crankcase breather hose. Install the ignition lead loom and replace the spark plug leads. Install the spark plug valley cover.

S14 Engine

Disconnect the crankcase breather hose.

Remove the 2 bolts holding the ignition lead loom. Disconnect the spark plug leads and place the loom off to the side.

Remove the 18 nuts holding the valve cover, then remove the cover from the vehicle. Thoroughly clean the gasket mating surfaces.

To install:

Clean the mating flanges of the cylinder head and the valve cover. Install the new gasket on the cylinder head.

Tighten the 18 nuts in a crisscross pattern starting at the center of the valve cover. Torque to 70-88.5 inch lbs. (8-10 Nm).

Connect the crankcase breather hose. Install the spark plug lead and the ignition lead loom bolts.

E36 Models

Remove the climate control air intake grille and intake duct at the rear of the engine compartment on the upper firewall. For specific details, refer to Section 6.

Remove the center trim cover by turning the fasteners clockwise 90 ° then lift the cover off.

Locate the tool used to remove the plug wires, then label and remove the plug wire connectors.

On M44 engines, turn the ignition coil pack electrical connector counterclockwise and remove the multi-wire harness, then remove the two mounting fasteners and place the coil assembly aside.

Using a 10mm wrench, loosen the two fasteners for the plug wire heat shield mounted on the side of the valve cover just enough to allow the shield to lifted off the valve cover. Lift the shield along with the spark plug connectors and their lower insulating tray and place aside.

Using a 10mm socket, extension and ratchet, loosen the valve cover bolts in a crisscross pattern.

Carefully lift the valve cover away from the cylinder head taking care to not damage the seal. If necessary, carefully peel the seal away from the valve cover and cylinder head.

Fig. The 4-cylinder trim cover is removed by turning the mounting fasteners clockwise 90°

Fig. With the fasteners released, simply lift the trim cover off

Fig. The spark plug connector removal tool is under the trim cover

Fig. Remove the ignition coil harness connector by rotating it counterclockwise-M44 engines

Fig. The plug wire heat shield is attached to the valve cover with two captured bolts

Fig. The plug wire heat shield, spark plug connectors and insulating tray are lifted off and placed aside

Fig. Once the fasteners have been completely loosened, lift the valve cover away from the cylinder head

Fig. With the valve cover removed, inspect the four seals in the center for the spark plug cavities, and check the oil jet and oil spray orifices for restrictions

Fig. To clean the valve cover gasket, place it in a sealable sandwich bag, then . . .

Fig. . . . add a small amount of brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol, seal the bag and shake vigorously

Fig. Next, fill the bag with water, seal and shake again . . .

Fig. . . . then remove the gasket from the bag and wipe it dry with a clean shop towel

Fig. Apply a non hardening gasket sealant to all four corners of the half mooned openings at the rear of the cylinder head

Fig. Also apply a suitable sealant to the left and . . .

Fig. . . . right timing cover-to-cylinder head seams

Fig. Make sure the oil jet and spray orifices in the valve cover are clear and free of debris

Fig. Inspect the oil jet fitting oil seal at the front of the cylinder head and replace as necessary

To install:

Inspect the valve cover gaskets and seals for damage, or excessive hardness. If the gaskets or seals are brittle or have been damaged, replace them. Carefully inspect the following:

Valve cover gasket

Spark plug cavity seals

Valve cover bolt grommets

Oil jet fitting seal (located on the oil jet fitting between the camshafts for cylinder No. 1)

Thoroughly clean the valve cover gasket mating surface on the cylinder head with brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol.

Make sure the valve cover oil jet and oil spray orifices are clean and not restricted.

If necessary clean the valve cover assembly. If cleaning is necessary, remove the four spark plug cavity seals before cleaning. Clean the seals with rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner and wipe dry. Inspect the seals for wear or damage and replace as necessary. Reinstall the seals on the valve cover using a suitable semi drying gasket sealer. Allow enough time for the sealant to set up so the seals will stay in place during installation.

After inspecting the valve cover gasket if it is to be reused thoroughly clean the gasket. To clean the gasket proceed as follows:
1. Place the gasket in a sealable sandwich sized bag.
2. Spray or pour a small amount of brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol into the bag and seal it.
3. Shake the bag back and forth to fully saturate the gasket.
4. Fill the bag with water, shake back and forth and remove the gasket.
5. Wipe the gasket dry with a clean shop towel.

Install and fully seat the valve cover gasket into the groove surrounding the valve cover.

Apply a non hardening sealant to the corners of the half-moon openings of the cylinder head's valve cover gasket mating surface, and at the front timing cover-to-cylinder head jointing surfaces.

Inspect the oil jet feed fitting oil seal and replace if necessary. Make sure the seal is fully seated on the fitting. Coat the sealing surface of the seal with a light film of engine oil. Do not uses sealant on this seal.

WARNING

If the oil jet feed fitting oil seal is damaged, missing or improperly installed, severe engine mechanical damage may occur.

Carefully lower the valve cover onto the cylinder head, making sure the valve cover gasket and spark plug cavity seals remain in place as the cover is lowered into position. Once installed, press down on the valve cover and make sure it is fully seated before tightening the fasteners.

Inspect the valve cover bolt sealing grommets and replace as necessary. Tighten the valve cover bolts in a three step crisscross pattern, starting with the inside bolts and working outward. Tighten the bolts as follows:

M6 bolts: 88.5 inch lbs. (10 Nm)

M7 bolts: 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm)

M8 bolts: 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm)