Bmw N47 rocker cover gasket leaking

[Barry.b]

Hi guys
I am looking for a bit of advice/ help please.
I am having trouble with my 2012 Bmw 520d F11 with the N47 engine.
My rocker cover gasket has started to leak and the oil is now dripping onto the exhaust and burning off and stinking the car out.
I am thinking of replacing the gasket myself.
Amongst other things I will need to remove the diesel injectors and to do that I will have to release the fuel pressure from the fuel rail.
After all work is done l will have to re pressurise the fuel rail and injectors.
Has anyone re pressurised their fuel rail by just cranking over the engine, or do I have to connect up a computer to the car and get the ecu to do it ?
I don’t want to risk damaging the high pressure diesel fuel pump.

 

[Gransin]

I'm about to replace the valve cover + gasket on my F11 with a N57 as well, and what I've read is that it should be fine without the computer, but I'm not sure. I have a computer with ISTA so I'm fine either way.
Could throw some codes on low fuel rail pressure, but don't think it would prevent it starting once you have pressure again.
As long as the HPFP is "wet" with diesel there shouldn't be a problem with cranking the engine until all the air is bled.
I'd go for it.

 

[sfdon]

Have you tried the cycling the pump by turning the key on/off 10 times? That should run the for 1 second each time.

 

[Gransin]

Also Barry, have you considered replacing the valve cover as well? They're plastic so they're prone to cracking and warping.
It's not a huge expense, so while all injectors are out (if they come out.. do you have an injector puller of some kind if they're stuck?) it's worth considering replacing the cover.

Injector gaskets should be replaced as well.
Sometimes the old injector gaskets are stuck down in the head and difficult to remove but there are cheap injector gasket puller tools available on ebay etc.
Better to have and don't need, than the other way around.

 

[Barry.b]

Hi guys
That is all sound advice.
I might use an febi replacement valve cover, instead of a BMW one.
I don’t know who actually makes the bmw one.
Thank you !

https://www.auto-doc.ie/febi-bilstein/16619987

 

[Barry.b]

I am now buying a seal removal tool as you suggested and an injector puller also.
Once the injectors are out , should the bore where they live get cleaned out with something and if so , how do you prevent any dirt or dust from falling down into the engine ?

 

[Gransin]

Great! Yes a cheap injector bore-cleaning set is nice to have in case there are some rust and dirt, there are specific plugs you can buy to prevent dirt from falling into the cylinder, but an M6 bolt and a suitable washer also stops dirt while you clean the walls of the bore, then use a vacuum (with a small hose) to remove the dirt and then later a magnet to pull out bolt + washer.

For example:

Neilsen Diesel Injector Bore Sleeve Cleaning Kit Set Cleaning Brush Brushes 3pc | eBay

Neilsen Diesel Injector Bore Sleeve Cleaning Kit Set Cleaning Brush Brushes 3pc Stainless steel brush set, designed for cleaning the diesel injector sleeve, seat and bore. Spiral tube brush: 80mm brush length, 35mm brush width; 260mm overall length. Long spiral tube brush: 150mm brush length...

www.ebay.co.uk

Some kind of anti-seize or injector grease should be put on the injector body to help removal next time.

Special Ceramic Grease - High Temp - Anti Corrosion - Brakes, Injectors.....100g | eBay

High Temperature, Anti Corrosion Grease for brakes, injectors, glow plugs and more. Special Ceramic Grease. We will always help you to have a 100% positive happy buying experience. Our Quality Promise – Your Added Value.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Barry.b]

Hi Guys
Well I took the advice , and the job went off perfectly, all of my injectors came out easily and were not badly corroded.
I cleaned them down anyway and coated them lightly with copper grease before putting them back in.
Once all work was almost done, I left one of high pressure fuel supply pipes loose at the injector ( the one furthest from the high pressure fuel pump) then I switched on and off the ignition 10 times without actually cranking over the engine. Then I tightened up the last pipe and turned the key and she started right up.
No low pressure fuel rail warnings or no laptop magic required .
Thanks again for the advice.
Oh for anyone thinking of doing the rocker cover themselves,
Buy the rocker cover vent pipe . They are very brittle and will most likely need replacing.
Mine fell apart when taking it off.

 

[Gransin]

Great to hear Barry!
I did mine last weekend as well, injector no.1 was pretty badly stuck but got it out with a pneumatic extractor tool.
My vent pipe broke too