Update: I did this job last weekend. 2.5 hours. Amateur mechanic. Found out it had a crack too on the exhaust side. It must have been the original gasket as it was so dry and hard, it turned brittle like plastic. I had to carefully pry and search for gasket debris around the valves. It was so bad, I could not reuse the cover even if I wanted too as the gasket had completely fused to the cover. Thankfully, I had an aftermarket cover on hand (Brand: Mostplus) I did however have to visit my local O'Reilly's to purchase the correct gasket even though their site listed two different styles as compatible, which they are not. Only the Fel-Pro brand was the correct fit. The difference is by the front of the motor. Look closely at the pictures before you purchase.

Hey Nathan, I need help with my e 39

I had a cold start rough idle problem I started to throw parts at. Then I did a cheap smoke test with a cigar. Plugged off the air intake with a rubber glove and disconnected the brake booster like and blew smoke into the intake manifold up to pressure. I could not believe how much smoke was coming out! I tightened them down but it still didn't seal enough so I'll be doing this job in the near future.

Francisco Casio Hello I use ultra grey for sealer, you can buy it almost anywhere, I'm happy you like the videos and thanks for watching

And as far as spark plugs how often should he really be changed I've heard 90,000 was a proper change time is this correct and what brand is the best for BMW question I hope hearing from you soon and I thank you very much for your time

+Vincent Turner while the valve cover is off you need to check the head bolts and if they are loose you will have to pull the head and re-tap and time sert the bolt holes

+Nathan's DIY Garage alright thanks, I'll check the bolts, do you have a video for the time sh?

Did you figure it out

@@onyxxx.1 yes, I had to get a new cluster and there was a pinched wire that was causing me not to get signal to my injectors. New cluster had to be reprogrammed. All good now

+DmA89 Hello you will need to use sealer on the entire gasket, do not glue it to the cover it self, only glue the gasket surface to the head, also when you have it off check it for cracks, i have had a couple lately that leak no matter what , im sure its because the cover warps

+Nathan's DIY Garage Thank you very much. I will try to reseal it without silicone on the whole gasket first, because I am afraid that it will be too hard to clean if I need to open the valve cover again. If this doesn't work I will consider putting silicone all round the valve head. And I also check the cover for cracks.

@@NathansBMWWorkshop Sir, my engine sucks air in...mechanic told me you need to replace the whole valve cover, or i need to replace the valve of this cover... what does he mean by the valve of the cover? E64/ 2008 BMW

+Raksasok Heng You have the s52 if its a m3, time to do the ccv delete, i did a M52/S52 delete video awhile back

Nathan, thanks for all that you do for us who subscribe to your DIY Channel. I have an 04 325I and I have just recently discovered it's an M56! That information came to me after my first year of owning this car I picked up from a friend, and have had nothing but problems from that day to present. I got with 92k on it, and bro I have never been into working on cars, and only knew the basics for most of my life, and figured my level of comprehension level on the maintenance and up-keep of automobiles was sufficient, and would sustain me throughout the rest of my life. The business of Technical Automotive Troubleshooting, Diagnosing, and Performing both Minor and Major Repairs was never going to be in my wheelhouse. However, I am a single dad who at 47 years old, has gone back to college to get a Masters Degree in Psychology so I can afford to provide for my 6 year old daughter, now and for the years to come. She's amazing and deserves to be taken care of. Needless to say, I am currently a starving student, and this car is killing me. I have financially been forced to learn all I can about the E46 and what I can do about it. I did not want this for myself but do not have any other viable solutions. Since I began this journey I have watched your channel daily, and would like to extend my gratitude for what you do, because without your channel I don't know where I would be, but I know it wouldn't be good. I have to say that being told I have an M56 meant nothing to me when I knew nothing about this world, but its been 18 months of trial and error with lots of small success tattered throughout my crash course of Auto Tech DIY, and I have learned so much about a subject that was "Greek To Me" I am know so proud of all that I've persevered through since buying my shiny red beemer! That was my climactic beginning to the end, for yesterday I learned some terrible truths about the M56 SULEV. Its a giant piece of shit and I am fucked until I can fix it up enough to sell it and get out from under it. Being told I have an M56 has hit me like a cancer diagnosis, you remain optimistic for the positive component of healing, but deep down you know you're fucked! I have lean codes and secondary air issues. I have removed the intake and valve cover to replace all the usual belts hoses gaskets and sensors in hopes of locating and or repairing the giant oil leak, as well as the vacuum leak responsible for the lean codes misfires, and limp mode bullshit. I sure could use some help if you got the time to speak on this, and if you don't have the time, make some bro, I'm dying out here in Cali. Much Respect, Jason Crouch jasoncrouch388@gmail.com (805)769-5752

​@@jasoncrouch8080, I hope you were able to get out from under. I know just how you felt, having gone through the same thing with an E46 and an E39. BMW made some beautiful cars, but they sure do require a ton of maintenance. I hope you are doing okay out there on the west coast. -Tom Massachusetts

@CallMeFahu 😅