Cylinder Head Cover — Removal and Installation (BMW 7 Series E32)

Removal

Disconnect the ground cable from the battery.

Separate the breather hose from the cylinder head cover.

Where necessary, loosen and remove the intake manifold bracket and, if equipped, the sensor bracket or idle air flow stabilizer (disconnect the electrical connectors from the sensors and stabilizer).

Where necessary, disconnect the air flow sensor electrical connector. Release the wiring harness from the brackets and move it to the side.

Where necessary, disconnect the pipes and hoses from the intake air duct, then loosen the clamp and separate the air duct from the throttle body. Unscrew the mounting nuts of the air cleaner housing and remove the housing together with the hose and air flow sensor.

Loosen the valve cover mounting nuts in a specific sequence.

Some engines have nine mounting nuts/bolts. Additional (the ninth bolt), the one located in the front part of the cover near the ignition distributor is the last one to be unscrewed.



Where necessary, disconnect the spark plug wires from the distributor cap and set them aside. It is not usually necessary to disconnect the wires from the spark plugs.



Remove the valve cover and gasket. Discard the old gasket, use a new one when installing. Remove the camshaft cover where necessary. If fitted, remove the semi-circular rubber seal from the slot on the front of the cylinder head.

Installation

Use a scraper to remove old sealant from the mating surfaces of the valve cover and cylinder head.

Caution: Be very careful not to scratch the surfaces. There are special compounds on the market that will make the task much easier. After all traces of the sealant have been removed, wipe the surfaces with a rag soaked in a suitable solvent.

Install a new semi-circular rubber seal into the slot on the front side of the cylinder head (if necessary). Apply a special sealant to the contact surface of the seal with the valve cover gasket.

Caution: Within ten minutes of applying the sealant, the valve cover must be installed and the nuts tightened.

Install the camshaft cover (some engines), valve cover and a new gasket. Install the washers and nuts, tightening the nuts evenly and securely in the reverse order shown (see fig above). Do not overtighten the nuts - they should not deform the valve cover.

Next, install in the reverse order of removal.