E90 E92 E93 M3 Rocker Cover Gaskets
We're seeing several S65 engines suffering from engine oil leaks which are traced backed to the Rocker Cover(s) and it's various Gaskets.
The process of changing both Rocker Covers on the S65 V8 engine is time consuming.
Access isn't great on a V8 engine fitted to the relatively small engine bay of a 3-series.
As well as looking for 3 main issues during the disassembly stage (below) we must also clean the engine and surrounding areas like Cylinder Head, Block, Steering Shaft, Chassis Legs, Pipes, Steering Gaitors, Hoses, Subframe, Undertrays of all leaking oil which has contaminated those items during the oil leaking phase.
The common areas causing leaks are:
1. Rocker Cover Gaskets hard and brittle.
2. Securing Bolt integral rubber seals hard and brittle.
3. Magnesium Rocker Covers degrading causing a rough gasket mating surface.
Sometimes the only way to achieve an oil tight seal is to replace the degraded Magnesium Rocker Covers to ensure a completely flat and factory-machined mating surface.
We've put a package price together to help owner understand the costs involved:
(Stage 1) £955.
Rocker Cover Gasket Sets
Spark Plug Tubes with integral O-rings
Cleaning products
Labour
VAT
(Stage 2) £1110.
Rocker Cover Gasket Sets
Spark Plug Tubes with integral O-rings
Rocker Cover Bolts with integral Rubber Seals
Cleaning products
Labour
VAT
(Stage 3) £1240.
Rocker Cover Gasket Sets
Spark Plug Tubes with integral O-rings
Rocker Cover Bolts with integral Rubber Seals
Ultrasonic Cleaning of both Magnesium Rocker Covers
Cleaning products
Labour
VAT
(Stage 4) £2270.
Rocker Cover Gasket Sets
Spark Plug Tubes with integral O-rings
Rocker Cover Bolts with integral Rubber Seals
Magnesium Rocker Covers (new from BMW)
Cleaning products
Labour
VAT
Notes:
Unfortunately, nobody knows the condition of the Magnesium until the Rocker Covers are removed and fully assessed to see if they still possess their smooth-like factory finish on the inside. Some cars suffer and some cars don't.
Optional extras
Vanos Covers £695.
Whilst the Rocker Covers are removed it's the perfect time to install billet aluminium Vanos Covers as a preventative maintenance to avoid the dreaded S65 vanos cover failure distributing plastic particles through the oil system. You can read more about this job here.
Throttle Actuators £
Another very common E9x M3 S65 problem is the Throttle Actuators. You can read more about them on our dedicated page with videos here. (Usually this job is £750 on it's own but you can benefit from 'plus position' labour as we're already working in that area.
Fuel Injectors £
A slightly less common but very expensive failure are the Fuel Injectors on the S65 engine.
Much like the S85 and S63 engine, some S65 Fuel Injectors seem to fail and at best dribble excessive fuel into the bore(s) causing bore wash resulting in cylinder wear and lower compression(s) which are presented as an EML, or at worst stick open and throw vast amounts of fuel into a cylinder which in turn creates a hydroloc event where a piston on it's compression or exhausting stroke cannot compress the excess fuel (liquid is incompressible) and bends valves and/or a conrod causing immediate engine failure without a single warning.
You can read more about the Fuel Injector work here.
Ignition Coils £
A very common issue we see on S65's is misfire(s) and EML issues relating to Ignition Coil failure. At the time of writing this we've had 2 separate E92 M3 EML misfire's this week already which were both due to random failing Ignition Coils.
It's not worth even bothering with aftermarket coils as ourselves and many others have tried that and they either don't work from the outset or they only last a few thousand miles.
Genuine BMW Coils are the only viable option.
Even if you don't need/want to change Ignition Coils now, please take our advice and purchase 1 Genuine BMW Ignition Coil to carry in the boot storage tray as one day you will thank us!
Spark Plugs £
The S65 engine is pretty hard on it's Spark Plugs which can be seen when we replace these during our E9x M3 Service Work as the gaps between the central and ground electrodes are very gapped compared to a new spark plug.
BMW recommend the V8 Spark Plugs in the S65 are changed every 2nd Service.
You can read more about our Service Prices here.
Vanos Solenoid O-rings £
Eventuri Carbon Plenum £
Thermostat £
Notes:
We've also found many poorly fitted engine bay components over the years.
These normally accumulate over time from inexperienced or rush-nature work when a previous repair has carried out within the engine bay.
Some of the problems that we commonly find are:
Inlet Plenum not fitted correctly (commonly after Throttle Actuators).
Inlet Plenum decorating chrome nut & stud(s) snapped and missing.
Throttle Body Rubber Hose(s) bent over and distorted. £52.30 replaced, each.
Expansion Tank Vent Pipe to Thermostat Housing creased and/or leaking £76 replaced.
To make a booking for this work, we require a £200 deposit.
If you have any questions or would like to make a booking, please call our Service Manager Simon Edwards on 01179 781889