BMW 130i Rocker Cover + Sump Gaskets

[driver67]

Hi All,

Noticed some oil dripping overnight when parked up and got a local garage to get it on the ramp and identify the leak.

Does anyone have any experience / rough price of getting both replaced ?

Looking to use B for BMW in Clydebank, Glasgow.

It's a 55 plate on 151k miles.

Thanks,
Dougie.

[Mr Tidy]

I bought a 2005 E90 330i in 2019 with the same N52 engine as a 130i and the previous owner had an oil and filter change plus a new rocker cover gasket fitted by his local garage in Cambridgeshire in March 2019 and he got charged a few pence less than £650!

It's also worth checking the gasket on the oil filter housing isn't leaking. I had that replaced when it got it's next service last year. That job plus fresh coolant cost £363.84 all in at a BMW Indy in Hampshire.

No idea about the sump gasket though, but I suspect that could be expensive.

[driver67]

Mr Tidy said:

I bought a 2005 E90 330i in 2019 with the same N52 engine as a 130i and the previous owner had an oil and filter change plus a new rocker cover gasket fitted by his local garage in Cambridgeshire in March 2019 and he got charged a few pence less than £650!

It's also worth checking the gasket on the oil filter housing isn't leaking. I had that replaced when it got it's next service last year. That job plus fresh coolant cost £363.84 all in at a BMW Indy in Hampshire.

No idea about the sump gasket though, but I suspect that could be expensive.

Thanks Mr. Tidy. I'm not expecting it to be cheap but to me, it's a car worth preserving.

Can't think what I would replace it with for reasonable money.

Cheers,
Dougie.

[Court_S]

It’s fairly labour intensive which is where the cost is. I was quoted 3.5hrs for the rocker cover gasket.

I did it myself in the end; it’s not too bad a job to do. I’ve recently dine the oil cooler and filter housing gaskets on my other half’s 125i (N52 powered). They were pretty easy if a touch messy.

[driver67]

Court_S said:

I’ve recently dine the oil cooler and filter housing gaskets on my other half’s 125i (N52 powered). They were pretty easy if a touch messy.

Thanks. Are these oil filters relevant to the sump one ?

I'd rather keep this car in good shape because they are holding their value and I've had it for 12 of it's 17 year life.

Great driving machine all round.

Cheers,
Dougie.

[Court_S]

driver67 said:

Thanks. Are these oil filters relevant to the sump one ?

I'd rather keep this car in good shape because they are holding their value and I've had it for 12 of it's 17 year life.

Great driving machine all round.

Cheers,
Dougie.

No, but they’re a very common leak. I thought they were ok, but the underside of the oil cooler was caked in crap. If you’re going to get the sump and rocker cover done, I’d add these to the list.

They’re great wee cars, I miss my LE.

[pmorg4]

Agree, definitely get the oil filter and cooler gaskets done. They are almost certainly leaking if they haven't been done in the car's lifetime, and they are very cheap compared to the rocker cover gasket let alone the sump gasket (the latter being a big job due to the labour involved).

[driver67]

Thanks all. Been in touch with a Glasgow specialist (Clydebank). 2 months before I can get booked in

It's the best place for the job though unless anyone has another suggestion ?

Cheers,
Dougie.

[Court_S]

driver67 said:

Thanks all. Been in touch with a Glasgow specialist (Clydebank). 2 months before I can get booked in

It's the best place for the job though unless anyone has another suggestion ?

Cheers,
Dougie.

If they’re good, I’d hang fire unless you fancy jumping in with a DIY!

[Touring442]

It's a slight trek, but I can recommend Gordon Spence in Dundee. Ashton Motors.

[driver67]

Got this done eventually.

Needed new cam cover, new oil Sump, related bolt kits, spark plugs, coils, oil plus filter etc.

Cam bolts were mostly shot, needed drilled, re-tapped etc. over 10 hour labour total, £1300 for parts.

Final bill over £2K, worth it to me.....

Whole engine bay looks like new, happy days.

Cheers,
Dougie.

Edited by driver67 on Saturday 12th November 01:00

[roadie]

Wow! I'm sure the N52 is now singing sweetly.

[Court_S]

Ouch. Guessing you went with an OE cover looking at the bill?

Should be good for a decent while now though.

[driver67]

Court_S said:

Ouch. Guessing you went with an OE cover looking at the bill?

Should be good for a decent while now though.

Garage only uses OE parts. 2 Year parts warranty, 5 years on labour.

Few more bits and bobs needing done but should be good as new in a few months.

Cheers,
Dougie.

[someguycalledtom]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to do my rocker cover gasket in the week on my 130i.Is it really the pain that the internet makes out.Any special tools needed?Any tips etc
Thanks

[JakeT]

someguycalledtom said:

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to do my rocker cover gasket in the week on my 130i.Is it really the pain that the internet makes out.Any special tools needed?Any tips etc
Thanks

If you have a metal valve cover, early 130i it will be a little more annyoing as there's much more CCV hoses and rubbish that will break and need replacing. So worth taking the inlet manifold off, too. If it has the plastic cover there's only one breather hose, which you can get out without breaking if you're lucky. It's a good plan to replace it either way.

Honestly it's not an awful job, the biggest fiddly bits are getting the Valvetronic motor out, and threading the valve cover out of the place it lives.

If you car has done high mileage, I'd also recommend replacing the valve cover (if it has the plastic cover), as they can warp. A good set of E torx sockets are needed, quarter inch drive is probably better as the bold under the valvetronic motor is very tight to get to. You can use a normal 6-sided socket though, but be very careful not to strip it. Also a torque wrench that goes down to 7nm is needed on the plastic covered cars.