E46 Spark plug chamber filled with oil

[Die_Miek]

Guys
E46 318 N42
I did a service on my car over the weekend, when I changed plug 4 the chamber was filled with oil, the other 3 was fine.

What the coil looked like

After I removed the spark plug

What could cause this to happen? :
Thanks in advance

 

[Kish2604]

It a leaky cam cover gasket... Get it changed out. Agents wanted about 500 bucks for the e46 6 cylinder ones,dont know what the 4 cylinder ones would cost...

 

[Die_Miek]

Thanks. Are you referring the to tappet /valve cover gasket?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Kish2604]

Yep... Same one..:thumbs:

 

[Die_Miek]

That gasket has been replaced twice.

First time under MP at 100 000km.

2nd time at 148 000km. I paid R700 for the gasket at goldwagon.

Currently on 175 000km

 

[Peejay]

Plus one on tappet cover gasket.

 

[ters]

Thanks. Are you referring the to tappet /valve cover gasket?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Pay special attention when replacing the gasket not to overtighten the valve cover. This causes the gasket to split and allow leakage. Have a look at the old one to see signs of what could cause the spillage.

There may be a ridge/dent in the cover at #4 that cause the premature gasket failure.

Ters.

 

[S1NGH 001]

Tappet cover gasket was a weak point on the E46's and E39's :thumbs:

 

[Gizmo]

The plastic cover warps over time too so no matter how often you change out the gasket it will always leak. BTW the N42 is the worst motor BMW have ever fitted to a car, I wouldn't be surprised if BMW had outsourced the N42 from the cheapest engine manufacturer they could find who also used the cheapest materials that they could find...

 

[Die_Miek]

agents wants R982
can get febi bilstein for R397

 

[Die_Miek]

BTW the N42 is the worst motor BMW have ever fitted to a car,

on the bright side, it can only get better from this point forward.
when i upgrade i will have a better engine than this one.

 

[Legacy]

agents wants R982
can get febi bilstein for R397

Get the Victor Reinz one from Beemows, they make excellent and OE quality gaskets.

 

[Die_Miek]

I'm not in GP, got a unipoint one.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[A.C.SCHNITZER]

Alert sells Victor Reinz, I bought one for an M50 for R250-00 few months ago. I think they have a branch in your province

 

[Die_Miek]

I purchased one from masterparts, I'll enquire tomorrow if they don't have victor reinz.
I'm in western Cape, saldanha/Vredenburg.

 

[Peejay]

Alert keeps victor reinz for most vehicles.

 

[Die_Miek]

Don't you have a phone number for alert, on their website is only email addresses.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[A.C.SCHNITZER]

Don't you have a phone number for alert, on their website is only email addresses.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Try the Pta West branch and hopefully they can help you, 0123279300, I know you are not in GP but I think they can be helpful in refering you to the nearest branch. All the best

 

[Die_Miek]

Alert does not have stock, they dont know when stock will arrive. would have been R426 for Victor Reinz.

i did some research, Unipoint is actually owned by Bosch, so i think the quality should be decent.

thanks guys

 

[Tareeq]

I'm sure Masterparts also stock Victor Reinz gaskets i was at the one in Kenilworth last week and i saw a guy buying a Victor Reinz gasket set..