Valve Cover Gasket

This one is a big issue on e46 BMWs the valve cover gasket leaks and oil drips onto the exhaust and smells up the whole car. So to replace it you will need a t30 torx driver, a 1/4 ratchet 8 and 10 mm socket, and a brilo pad. Supplies you will need are victor reintz high temp sealant, a new valve cover gasket, 15 grommits for the bolts, and some rags. First open the hood and locate the the microfilter, undo the tabs and pull the cover and filter out. This will expose 3 torx screws, unscrew these and remove the whole metal piece. Be sure to unhook the cover for the wires and pull the wires out as they are connected to that piece. Next pop the covers off the engine cover to expose 10mm nuts. Remove all 4 bolts to remove both of the covers and set them aside. Now you can see the coils each one is held on by two 10mm bolts. Remove them all then remove the ground straps on either end with an 8mm also remove the ground in the middle of the valve cover also an 8mm. Pull all the coils out and undo the vacuum hoses and o2 sensor wires from the side of the valve cover. Unclip them and move them out of the way. Undo the 15 10mm bolts on top of the valve cover, 4 are in the middle near the coils and the rest are along the outside. Once all the bolts are out pry up on the valve cover with the flat head. Be careful the valve cover can break! Once the valve cover is off get the old gasket out and clean with rags to get all the old oil out. The gasket may be hard and difficult to get out this happens often and is why it is leaking. Also make sure all the old grommits are off of the cover. Next clean the surface where the gasket touches on the head with the brilo pad. This makes a clean surface for the new gasket. Place the new gasket on the cover and put the new grommits on the cover bolts. Once everything is clean apply the high temp sealant in the shape of a U on the front and rear of the head. Be sure to get in the half moons of the vanos and in the rear. Place the valve cover back on the head, be sure there is nothing being pinched and the gasket is even. Put the bolts on and tighten down a little, I prefer to get all the bolts in and then tighten them in a cross pattern. The bolts should be tightened by hand and will bottom out, that is when they are tight. Put the coils back in, connect the ground straps, and tighten the coils. Put the covers back on and reattach the microfilter assembly. Double check you didn't forget anything and close the hood.