V8 N62 Valve stem oil seals

[eliot]

Looks like mine are getting worse, used to take a few minutes of idling to get smoke - but after 8k miles it's now smoking after much shorter periods of idling.

You can get the following tool for ~£600 which allows you to change them in-situ:
http://www.agatools.com/tool/n62-valve-stem-seal-t...

Obviously I only need the tool once - so ideally I need to sell it afterwards to recoup some cost (any takers..)

Has anyone had it done by a garage and at what cost?

[eliot]

I'm waiting for a price from my local indy - they said they wouldn't use that tool, rather take the heads off and do it that way.

[eliot]

e65 2005 750 with about 115k miles i think.

[eliot]

Got my qoute 20 hrs labour @65 + parts and vat £2k all in, which is a little more than I was hoping for.

[eliot]

deebow said:

not used this garage yet but saw it mentioned in the v8 thread

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&si...

Interesting- has anyone on PH used him?

[eliot]

We could arrange a group discount at this rate!

[eliot]

My 750 (2005/e65) is only worth around £5-6k, so spending £2k+ doesn't make financial sense. I really should stop being lazy and just get the Aga tool, as I have a heated garage and I can live with the car being off the road as long as I need. Just don't fancy the back-ache of leaning over it for hours on end.

[eliot]

8009434jr said:

once I have sold my tool, the job only really cost me the valve seals and beer, lots and lots of beer.

PM sent

[eliot]

Searider said:

Is there a pattern as to what mileages these seals typically need doing?

eliot has said his 750 has 115k miles.

I think around the 100k mark. Mine has got worse in the last 7k miles.

I've bought the aga tool from the James who posted above, so I'll be doing this work myself shortly.

[eliot]

Well I'm now the proud owner of the AGA tool and have ordered the replacement seals, so I'll be keeping you updated with progress on this job.

Edited by eliot on Monday 2nd May 22:26

[eliot]

Update for those who are interested - I've completed 3 out of 4 cylinders on the offside bank using the tool. I purchased a USB endoscope camera for the rear bank which i couldn't even see.



For anyone thinking of tackling the job - I'm photo-documenting the process here:
http://www.mez.co.uk/page128.html

[eliot]

Final Update - car back on the road and now SMOKE FREE!!! The work took about 4-5 days, spread over a few weeks as I had several busy weekends with other commitments. The nearside (cylinders 5-8) were far easier to do as the access is better. I replaced the offside upper timing cover seal, vanos soleniod and vacuum pump o-rings which are common problems too.

The tool is available for rent or sale if anyone needs it.

[eliot]

Phil_clements said:

Hi everyone... just to let you know if your having this problem with your BMW... blowing blue smoke out the exhaust after a period of idling and you want to change the valve seals, I rent the all German auto n62 valve seal replacement tool kit https://www.facebook.com/bmwn62valvesealreplacemen...

Your post will get pulled due to advertising rules. If you contact me via my profile, i'll add you to my web page where people can contact you without breaking any rules.

[eliot]

foxybmw said:

Hi there guys just wondered if anyone still had the aga tool and was looking to sell as I need to do my smokey 650..?
Thanks

Facebook link above still works - just rent the tool. Strip the car down ready on both sides ahead of renting the tool.
(not associated to the above link - but he does link back to my instructions)

[eliot]

ATM said:

I've read that BMW updated these to a later type which last longer. Does anyone know when they changed?

Indeed it would be nice to know - as i would actively avoid cars made in the "bad" years if I ever buy another. Mine was 2005 - so at least cars up to that point.

[eliot]

I fitted elring seals to mine and they were definitely much better and did have the extra seal around the valve guide inside.
The original seals I removed were rock hard and had no flex left in them at-all, more so on the exhaust valves as you might expect.

[eliot]

Thanks for the feedback.
My 24 month old genuine bmw battery also started playing up over christmas. I replaced it with a Bosch AGM battery.
It turned out that my comfort access handle was preventing the car from falling asleep (sit in the car for 20 minutes) - which I assume was draining the battery to a point where the car does a life saving power down to protect itself from further drain.

[eliot]

The 4.8 is the N62 engine and the facelift smaller engined ones also got the N62 according to the wikipedia book of lies.

[eliot]

ATM said:

So how does the x5 compare to a 5 series?

I've had a quick go in a 4.4 and it felt very e39.

If i look at a couple for sale then do i just need to leave it idling for a few mins and see if the smoke starts or does the engine need to be nicely hot first?

I can't remember if it will do it from stone cold or not, but if you start the car from cold and leave it idling for say 5 minutes and the give it a good rev to over 3k - you will get a cloud of smoke like a diesel.
If you rev it again immediately, it typically wont do it again unless you leave it idling again - dont get fobbed of with the seller saying it only does it once or any other BS.
The amount of time you leave it idling to get some on revving tends to reduce over time as it gets worse.
Mine was originally a few minutes and was down to less than a minute or the time stationary at the lights or crawling traffic and it's pretty embarrassing to be driving such a nice motor that smokes like a knackered london taxi.
If it smokes very quickly, which means it's bad - there is a chance the cats or other plumbing could be gunked up.
When mine was bad, i had it tested at an MOT station - had to do a fast idle test (hold revs up and wait for smoke to clear) and it passed perfectly - so i knew that the cats were good and it was worth doing the work.

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 19th September 05:52

[eliot]

ATM said:

Has anyone tried a thicker oil or an additive?

The stem seals are shagged - especially the ones on the exhaust valves. Instead of something pliable you have something almost as hard as bakelight.
Thicker oil isn't going to help or if it does, think about what other critical areas oil no longer getting to.