Hi,

I am going to take the head off my N14 engine to clean, re-seat the valves and replace stem seals. I believe I have oil getting sucked though the valve stem to the intake as well as general valve leakage due to build up.

A couple questions if I may:

Which valve spring compressor tool is recommended for the N14? Affordable please, hopefully I'll only use it once!

Which head gasket should I buy? I note that Real OEM show a thinner 0.9mm and a thicker 1.2mm one. What is the reason for two versions?
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_3913

I also see a number of brands. Leaning towards Elring as a name I know, but also see Reinz, Ajusa, Febi, Elwis and more...

 

the origianl gasket is .9mm. the other one is used to compensate for cutting the head surface. I used most of the brands you mentioned, they all very similar.

This is the one I have

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Over...wAAOSwco1fcxiR

 

Thanks for the link! Can you confirm it fits the N14 valve springs? I was watching Eric The Car Guy take apart the N14 head and he found his usually Honda spring compressor was too big for the N14 springs.

 

You are right...It was a bit big to the point it slipping. I modified mine by wrapping an 18 guage wire inside it (spiral along the lip) until it broke and then I squeezed to make the lip tighter...