Leaking a little bit of oil from my valve cover bolts

[Sahara]

Noticed this recently, after hard driving I'll get a very thin but noticeable film of oil on and around my valve cover bolts, especially the bottom left (near the "4" sparkplug label). I suspect this means either my valve cover gasket is wearing out or the bolts are loose (they're not loose to the hand, but I haven't put a wrench on them) or some combination of the two. I'm not that worried and will probably continue to drive like this until anything gets notably worse but I'm just checking to see if I should be more concerned. 

['76mintgrün'02]

why not put a wrench on them?

[Sahara]

Just now, '76mintgrün'02 said:

why not put a wrench on them?

Just noticed it, busy with family stuff. I can post here from anywhere, can't really work on the car remotely

['76mintgrün'02]

Ah.  I like using a socket on a screwdriver style handle and just giving it a good 'squeeze'.  I do it just for good measure every once in a while, to make sure they are all still similarly tight.

 

I do the same to the screws on the top of the carb and the nuts that hold the carb down.

Same thing on hose clamps.  Just a quick once over every so often.

 

I have been using the same valve cover gasket since I installed it seven years ago and it still seems fine.

Edited April 21, 2019 by '76mintgrün'02

[Mike Self]

Presume you're using the OEM style wave lock washers under the bolt heads (not split lock washers) and are tightening the bolts in a criss-cross pattern as you would do with head bolts:

 

      3                              1                      5

                                                                        7

 

       6                              2                      4

 

You might also check the valve cover for flatness.  A PO may have gotten a little enthusiastic with his wrench on those 6mm nuts and overtightened the cover, warping it slightly.  

 

mike

[Buckeye]

Buy the new cap nut 11617549043 with captive washer and you will be set for another 35+ years. Ask me how I know this

[Sahara]

4 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

Buy the new cap nut 11617549043 with captive washer and you will be set for another 35+ years. Ask me how I know this

So just get the OE part with that p/n?

[Buckeye]

That’s what I did and stoped valve cover leaks

[kbmb02]

14 hours ago, Sahara said:

Noticed this recently, after hard driving I'll get a very thin but noticeable film of oil on and around my valve cover bolts...

 

You might also check the breather on your valve cover, make sure it's not blocked. -KB

[jimk]

If the gasket is any good, it seals around each stud/bolt.  No special nuts required, just for show.

[ray_]

9 minutes ago, jimk said:

If the gasket is any good, it seals around each stud/bolt.  No special nuts required, just for show.

 

9 minutes ago, jimk said:

If the gasket is any good, it seals around each stud/bolt.  No special nuts required, just for show.

If the washers are too thin, the cap nuts will not compress the gasket sufficiently.

['76mintgrün'02]

4 hours ago, ray_ said:

If the washers are too thin, the cap nuts will not compress the gasket sufficiently.

 

If the studs are too tall, you mean?

 

I use old Volvo nuts on mine, since I like the broader flange at the base; compared to the naked BMW nuts.  No washers under them.

 

 

EDIT, adding wave washers under the nuts today to protect the soft aluminum.  I am opening it up again to seal the upper timing chain cover for the third time.  Ultra-black this time, dammit.  

Edited April 21, 2019 by '76mintgrün'02

[Hans]

Bottom line is, make sure cap nuts are not bottoming out, for whatever reason.

[OriginalOwner]

I learned a tip years ago:  I put a light coat of wheel bearing grease on the valve cover gasket in that area around the "4" spark plug.  No more oil weeps, and it doesn't require a serious tightening of that particular cap nut.

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by OriginalOwner