Any negatives if I don't replace a leaky valve cover?

codys21 · 11-10-2023, 02:47 PM

Just wondering what happens if I don't replace a leaky valve cover. It's been diagnosed by a local shop but it's a pretty pricey replacement because the valve cover is like $700-800 plus a bunch of labor. Just wondering if there are any negative side effects (other than an oil smell) if I don't get it fixed.

bagekko · 11-10-2023, 03:03 PM

It's just a $50 gasket, don't see why the actual cover would need to be replaced.

codys21 · 11-10-2023, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagekko

It's just a $50 gasket, don't see why the actual cover would need to be replaced.

The shop recommended the entire thing be replaced. Unsure why other than maybe they want a bigger job. Could replacing only the gaskets somehow damage the valve cover itself?

Drifter2090 · 11-10-2023, 05:10 PM

I just replaced the gasket on mine, not too bad of a job. If your valve covers not making any squeeling pcv noises then you're good to just change the gasket.

N1rve · 11-10-2023, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codys21

Just wondering what happens if I don't replace a leaky valve cover. It's been diagnosed by a local shop but it's a pretty pricey replacement because the valve cover is like $700-800 plus a bunch of labor. Just wondering if there are any negative side effects (other than an oil smell) if I don't get it fixed.

You might have some performance loss and you might get a CEL for like mismatch AFR or Oil could start seeping out.

I would just order a valve cover off FCP Euro and replace it while you're there. The PCV is something that fails eventually.

greysea · 11-10-2023, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codys21

The shop recommended the entire thing be replaced. Unsure why other than maybe they want a bigger job. Could replacing only the gaskets somehow damage the valve cover itself?

Think someones selling one in classifieds. Probably could ask for a deal.

Tangent · 11-11-2023, 04:09 PM

If you're approaching ~70k miles your PCV valve is provably close to failure anyway; replacing the entire valve cover will save you paying the exact same labor expenses again pretty shortly.

N1rve · 11-11-2023, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

If you're approaching ~70k miles your PCV valve is provably close to failure anyway; replacing the entire valve cover will save you paying the exact same labor expenses again pretty shortly.

My PCV failed at like 4.5 years / 41K miles and the labor wasn’t cheap lol. If there is any work that requires the valve cover to be removed and it’s not only a few months old… swap that thing lol. So to anyone that has work that needs to be done with the valve cover removed, just get a replacement from FCP euro. My SA told me that valve cover replacements/PCV failure is common and they only last a couple of years.

hC1001 · 11-12-2023, 11:34 AM

I have 118K miles on my original valve cover and gaskets. I have some light sweating but nothing to warrant a replacement yet. Since i can DIY, i would probably only replace the gasket if it started forming drops at the bottom... If you plan to keep the car for a while and you cant DIY, it might be best to replace the valve cover in your situation.

I dont agree with the "Your PCV will go bad soon, replace it" argument.

N1rve · 11-13-2023, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hC1001

I have 118K miles on my original valve cover and gaskets. I have some light sweating but nothing to warrant a replacement yet. Since i can DIY, i would probably only replace the gasket if it started forming drops at the bottom... If you plan to keep the car for a while and you cant DIY, it might be best to replace the valve cover in your situation.

I dont agree with the "Your PCV will go bad soon, replace it" argument.

It’s only a one time payment. With FCP it’s lifetime replacement. Just think of it as preventative maintenance similar to doing your coils when you do your spark plugs.

G35POPPEDMYCHERRY · 11-13-2023, 09:39 AM

i mean sooner or later its going to leak enough or cause permanent damage. so why put it off? unless you are waiting to go in for an oil change or brakes like in 1-2 months

sna66 · 11-18-2023, 07:42 PM

How long do you plan on keeping the car? More than one year? Replace the valve cover. Less than one year? Replace the gasket only.

11-10-2023, 02:47 PM	#1
codys21 Private First Class 61 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2015 F83 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	Any negatives if I don't replace a leaky valve cover? Just wondering what happens if I don't replace a leaky valve cover. It's been diagnosed by a local shop but it's a pretty pricey replacement because the valve cover is like $700-800 plus a bunch of labor. Just wondering if there are any negative side effects (other than an oil smell) if I don't get it fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-10-2023, 03:03 PM	#2
bagekko Major 823 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: Lots of BMWs Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: RI/MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 M4 Vert [0.00] 2006 Z4M Roadster [0.00] 1995 540i [0.00] 2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2019 i3 Rex [0.00] 2021 X7 40i MSport [0.00]	It's just a $50 gasket, don't see why the actual cover would need to be replaced. __________________ 2008 M5 6spd, 1995 540i 6spd 2018 M4 Vert Comp, 2019 i3 120ah REX 2021 X7 40i MSport, 2006 Z4M 6spd
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-10-2023, 05:10 PM	#4
Drifter2090 Colonel 914 Rep 2,091 Posts Drives: E90 M3 \| E92 335i \| E90 335d Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	I just replaced the gasket on mine, not too bad of a job. If your valve covers not making any squeeling pcv noises then you're good to just change the gasket. __________________ MGM F82 M4 DCT / MPerformance / Swift / CSF / IND / Turner / BimmerWorld BSM F87 M2 6MT / Fabspeed / MPerformance / Turner / AutoID - SOLD JB-NB E92 M3 6MT / IND / RTD / Alpine / KW / ActiveAutowerke / 360Carbon - SOLD SS2-FR E90 M3 6MT / IND / AFE / ActiveAutowerke - SOLD AW-FR E90 M3 DCT / ACM / IND / AutoTecknic / K&N / H&R / Bilstein - SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-11-2023, 04:09 PM	#7
Tangent Lieutenant 303 Rep 587 Posts Drives: G01, F82, E89, F25 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: California iTrader: (2)	If you're approaching ~70k miles your PCV valve is provably close to failure anyway; replacing the entire valve cover will save you paying the exact same labor expenses again pretty shortly.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-12-2023, 11:34 AM	#9
hC1001 Major 610 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: E36 M3, F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	I have 118K miles on my original valve cover and gaskets. I have some light sweating but nothing to warrant a replacement yet. Since i can DIY, i would probably only replace the gasket if it started forming drops at the bottom... If you plan to keep the car for a while and you cant DIY, it might be best to replace the valve cover in your situation. I dont agree with the "Your PCV will go bad soon, replace it" argument.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-13-2023, 09:39 AM	#11
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY Banned 4999 Rep 4,139 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (1)	i mean sooner or later its going to leak enough or cause permanent damage. so why put it off? unless you are waiting to go in for an oil change or brakes like in 1-2 months
	Appreciate 1 N55Msport187.00 Quote

11-18-2023, 07:42 PM	#12
sna66 Captain 512 Rep 776 Posts Drives: F83 Join Date: May 2014 Location: South FL iTrader: (0)	How long do you plan on keeping the car? More than one year? Replace the valve cover. Less than one year? Replace the gasket only.
	Appreciate 0 Quote