Oil Leak E90 - To Change top solenoid valve ?

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Grace Wong

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Good day to everyone....

Anyone can advise does it required to change the top solenoid valve other than change O ring and Gasket ? Base on the forum topics on this oil leak for E90 there is nothing mentioned about to change the solenoid valve. Appreciate if you guys can give some advises.
 
Hi, I was being advised next to the o ring there is another part difficult to change has to wait till engine cool down so I was wonder what is this all about. Will you able to advise which are those items normally need to change for engine oil leak. Thks !
 
Its easier if your can show us photo of the leak. Many location prone to leak la. If I list them down also you might not know what I'm taking about.. and the list is pretty long.. about 10 locations.. worst being need to lift the engine off the car chassis or drop the gear box.
 
Got 2 solenoid valves with a pair of o-rings each, easily accessible since located at the from on top of pulley tensioner but as Astroboy mentioned too many area can leak for N46 (and N42) engine. If he list it down then some one might cry and stay away from this forum...... :shot:
 
Item 2 and 3 are the big and small Vanos solenoid O-ring. Only one size 10mm bolt (item 8) to remove and can pull it out.

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We have 2 such solenoid. 1 for intake, 1 for exhaust. All together 4 o-rings. The small o-ring can last forever. I also just realised the big o-ring also can last for ever, by simple apply RTV gasket maker generously.. :67:

Replacement video guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5YQ0UFOErk
 
Thanks....just check in another shop my E90 got 3 places leaking, o ring, Gasket cover and worst one is flywheel, need to drop gearbox. All cost about 1200 plus. But since the leaking stain on floor is not much, I will wait till the sign and adding oil is more frequently to have it repair.
 
IMHO, Advisable to get leaks sorted out. It's only when you already done all the leaking issues but the engine still consumes oil like a love child between a drunkard and johnny walker, then u top up your oil more frequently.

1200 is quite cheap in my books.
 
Our engine is tilted upward slightly. Hence all leaks from the crank case vent, valve cover gasket, spark plug tube o-ring, vacuum pump gasket will eventually make it to the bottom end where it connects to the gearbox and make it look like a flywheel leak.

Fix the rest first and monitor, I think your flywheel gasket still in good shape.

1. Vanos solenoid gasket: Item 3, part number: 11 36 7 506 178 (bought mine RM3/pc x 2 = RM6 @ Sep 2012)
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2. Valve cover gasket: Item 2, bought mine RM180 (Jun 2013)
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3. Spark plug pipe gasket: Item 3 & 4, bought mine RM12 whole set (2x4=8pcs) (Jun 2013)
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4. Vacuum pump O-ring: Item 3 & 21 (never change before but replaced entire pump for RM480 Aug 2015)
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Inspect your crank case vent too.. if no leak, then can leave it alone.
 
3. Spark plug pipe gasket: Item 3 & 4, bought mine RM12 whole set (2x4=8pcs) (Jun 2013)
Just curious, do we need to remove the cylinder head to change the spark plug pipe gasket
 
Hi Astroboy, thanks for info, agreed with you to fix the rest first, the flywheel labor costly and eat up at least 2 days. Now the mileage is 58,700 for 7 years car, do you think go for OEM or ori better since my car is low mileage.
 
Hi Astroboy, from your explanation there are quite lot of area, your got good price, 3 workshop quoted me different prices and different leaking, do you have a recommended and reliable workshop that can share with me ?
 
Hi Astroboy, from your explanation there are quite lot of area, your got good price, 3 workshop quoted me different prices and different leaking, do you have a recommended and reliable workshop that can share with me ?
 
Yes.. spark plug pipe o-ring has to open valve cover to access.. even that, u can only pull out pipe 1 and 4 whereas 2 and 3 is under the valvetronic motor. Need to open valvetronic motor which is a big job as fitment of the motor is pretty delicate. Mine till now also hasn't open. My advice is if 2 and 3 no leak, dun touch it.

I did all the above mentioned job DIY. Hence no labor charge involved. Prices above are all spare part shop prices.

Labor cost now not cheap..
 
Finally got repair at M1 Motor workshop at $550 incl gst. Valve cover gasket set $290, Solenoid valve o-ring 2x$6, vacuum pump o-ring 2x$18, hose clip $7, labor $180. Flywheel on hold, repair these items first monitor and see if leaking.
 
very fair prices.. did you bargain hard?

Grace Wong said:
Finally got repair at M1 Motor workshop at $550 incl gst. Valve cover gasket set $290, Solenoid valve o-ring 2x$6, vacuum pump o-ring 2x$18, hose clip $7, labor $180. Flywheel on hold, repair these items first monitor and see if leaking.
 
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