I have heard quite a bit about owners talking about needing to replace their valve cover gaskets because of oil leaks, but I have an oil leak that I don't recall reading about. A leak at the gasket where the oil filler neck is attached to the valve cover. I suspect this may have something to due with the fact that the delaer ALWAYS overfills the oil in the car when they change it. After one oil change, the oil light indicating too much oil went off a few times until I had them drain the excess.

According to the crossfire tech at my dealer, a leak here necessitates replacing the entire valve cover as the gasket at that location is not serviceable. Just a public serivce message for those who care!

 

They did replace both valve covers and gaskets and an upper round gaskets were also ordered by the dealer for replacement. Are these the two you say can't be replaces? Ron

1-5097104-aa gasket cy 9001004
1-5097105-aa gasket cy 9001004
1-5080088-aa gasket OI 9001004
1-5096479-aa cover cyl 9003027
1-5096480-aa cover cyl 9003027

 

According to my receipt, the only parts they are ordering are:
5096480-aa cover cyl 9003027
1-5097104-aa gasket cy 9001004
1-5080088-aa gasket OI 9001004

What is:
1-5097105-aa gasket cy 9001004

 

Thinking they are changing your one valve cover and gasket and the round OI gasket. What you are asking about is the second valve cover and gasket. I think they did both sides on mine. Ron

 

Guys,

I believe I have the same problem with my six.

I uploaded some pics to show where I believe the leak is coming from. They were taken after I cleaned most of the oil off.

How costly was this repair???

Thanks

 

It's hard for me to tell where your leak is actually coming from via the pics, but it does look like it's leaking somewhere on the valve cover. I cleaned off the valve cover of any oil residue and drove the car for a few weeks and was able to see exactly where the oil was coming from. Unfortunately, I can't help much with the price of the repair since it was done under warranty.

 

Those pictures look all too familiar... I had the same problem a few months ago. Dealership fixed... couple of days later I had it back to them because the bottom started leaking worse than the top did. (Drivers side for both). I've not had any trouble on the passenger side... yet.

All my service was covered under warranty.. but the warranty has now run out so hopefully no more problems w/mine.

 

DIY instructions for re sealing the oil recirculation covers, a common leak on the M112 engine.
Resealing the Recirculating Cover - MBWorld.org Forums

 

This is getting saved, thanks for the info!

 

Thanks all for the info and especially to bspence for the DIY instructions!!

 

Dealer did mine and it seemed to work. He kept my for two days to do the job. He said it had to set up. I guess the gasket material dries before they put the valve cover on again.