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Time for a new valve cover! Should I go with an aluminum valve cover (ECS tuning or eBay) or oem plastic? What are your guys thoughts? 2013 S N18 engine. Thanks!
If I ever get to the point of needing a new one, I was considering the aluminum from ECS. I don't think it has been available very long so I am not sure how many have actually installed it.
If I ever get to the point of needing a new one, I was considering the aluminum from ECS. I don't think it has been available very long so I am not sure how many have actually installed it.
Well I’ll be there tester than and leave a review on ECS website and let you know how it goes!
The N12-N18 engines are so short that you really don't have a problem with the valve covers warping (the reason they created aluminum ones for the N52, N54, N55 etc BMW engines). Heck, the plastic one is expensive enough; I hate to think what the aluminum version cost.
Installed the aluminum one from ECS 2 weeks ago. Had to loosen the metal fuel hose in the top right corner to get enough play to install it, but once I figured that out, was easy enough. Less PCV vibration/humming at 2k RPM - time will tell if it helps with oil consumption but I'm optimistic.
Installed the aluminum one from ECS 2 weeks ago. Had to loosen the metal fuel hose in the top right corner to get enough play to install it, but once I figured that out, was easy enough. Less PCV vibration/humming at 2k RPM - time will tell if it helps with oil consumption but I'm optimistic.
Just installed aluminum valve cover sourced from ebay yesterday!
My previous ebay cheap (~$40) plastic valve-cover failed at 20Kmiles (developed leak on top, oil pooled in recess for top-right center bolt securing valve-cover.
Hopefully, I'll get more than 20K miles on this pretty red aluminum one
It has screws but I did not attempt to disassemble it. My gut tells me its probably not serviceable.
I tried disassembling the cover and even after getting all the screws out, I could not get the plastic topper off without just about breaking it. I ended up just buying a new plastic valve cover as the Aluminum valve cover started having pcv issues after 4 months of having it on. Aside from the PCV issue, the paint they spray these with SUCKS, you can literally wipe it off with your fingers, flakes start coming off.
I really wish CNCInnovations or RPM's billet covers were slightly less expensive...or someone offered these new but powdercoated.
I tried disassembling the cover and even after getting all the screws out, I could not get the plastic topper off without just about breaking it. I ended up just buying a new plastic valve cover as the Aluminum valve cover started having pcv issues after 4 months of having it on. Aside from the PCV issue, the paint they spray these with SUCKS, you can literally wipe it off with your fingers, flakes start coming off.
I really wish CNCInnovations or RPM's billet covers were slightly less expensive...or someone offered these new but powdercoated.
I can confirm, the aluminum ones they sell on ECS are complete garbage. I have gone through two and both have had PCV issues. I'm going to go back to a factory valve cover.
