BMW produced the naturally aspirated V8 BMW M62 engine from 1995 to 2005. Today, nearly three decades after the world first got to experience it, it’s remembered for multiple reasons. The M62 is most notably known as the engine that acted as the base for the BMW S62 engine — the powerhouse at the heart of the BMW E39 M5. Second, it was the first BMW engine to feature VANOS, the variable valve timing technology we experience daily with the manufacturer’s modern engines.
Like many high-performance engines, the BMW M62 required much attention and timely mechanical intervention if you wanted to keep it running. Several enthusiasts have declared it one of the more unreliable engines the German manufacturer has ever made but are willing to compromise on reliability in exchange for brute performance.
Of the multiple issues the engine had, one that can prove to be quite bothersome is the valley pan. A BMW M62 intake valley pan or gasket failure can result in a multitude of issues that can affect the everyday performance of your car. In this article, we’ll look at why this is an issue you should rectify at the earliest and tell you how you can fix the problem.
What Does the BMW M62 Intake Valley Pan Do?
The BMW M62 intake valley pan, also referred to as the valley tray, is a component located in the ‘valley’ formed by the ‘V’ layout of the cylinders. It sits on the engine block and covers where the intake manifold runners meet the cylinder heads. Its primary function is to ensure a steady flow of coolant against the cylinders, maintaining optimum engine temperature. To enable the coolant to be equally distributed, the valley pan consists of grooves and passages for the coolant to flow.
It also helps protect parts of the engine from debris and other contaminants that may enter the intake system.
Like many other gaskets, the BMW M62 intake valley pan gasket is a strip of silicon beading that lines the edge of the valley pan cover. If the gasket fails, it can leak oil into the valley and mix in with the coolant.
What Are the Symptoms of a Faulty M62 Intake Valley Pan Gasket?
A faulty intake valley pan gasket can cause several symptoms that will hinder the everyday performance of your car. The most notable signs that something may be wrong with your BMW M62 intake valley pan or its gasket include the following:
Coolant Leaks
The gasket is designed to seal the valley pan and prevent coolant from leaking out. Coolant may leak out and collect under the intake manifold if the gasket is damaged or worn. If your coolant levels drop even after a short drive, there’s likely a coolant leak.
Reduced Engine Performance
The coolant leaks can result in an overheating engine and a reduction in engine performance. You may also notice other symptoms like engine misfiring, a drop in fuel economy, or a choppy idle.
Check Engine Light
While this isn’t a tell-tale sign of an intake valley-related issue, an illuminated check engine light is always a reason to get your car diagnosed by a service center or technician.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other problems, and a proper diagnosis is needed to determine the cause.
Some visual cues may indicate a leak in your BMW M62 intake valley pan. If you find that coolant puddles up under the rear of the engine, it could be due to a faulty gasket or cracked intake valley pan cover.
The silver lining is that you can continue to drive your car if the leak is minor. It will probably worsen over time and cause more severe issues, but a little coolant leak shouldn’t render your vehicle unusable. That said, we still strongly urge that you replace a faulty valley pan gasket as soon as possible.
How to Solve a BMW M62 Intake Valley Pan Gasket Leak?
The only solution to resolve a BMW M62 intake valley pan gasket leak is to replace the gasket. Unfortunately, the genuine BMW replacement part has proven to be quite unreliable, and several owners have mentioned on forums that the new part also failed prematurely. That’s why we recommended using a replacement gasket from a trusted aftermarket brand.
The 11141742042-PRM valley pan gasket from ÜRO Premium features a unique seal retention flange instead of the flat design used by the OEM part. This new design ensures that the gasket remains secure even after several thousand miles. The gasket is made from a Fluorocarbon (Viton) composite, providing better temperature and chemical resistance for longevity. On the other hand, the OEM gasket is made from silicon rubber that is more prone to harden and crack over time.
How to Replace a BMW M62 Intake Valley Pan Gasket?
Replacing the BMW M62 intake valley pan gasket is time-consuming and requires a decent amount of patience and skill, especially if you’re still new to working on your engine. Still, if you have the time to do so, you can save yourself a few hundred dollars in labor costs by replacing the gasket yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can go about doing so:
- The first step to accessing the BMW M62 intake valley pan is to remove the intake manifold. This step entails disconnecting the injectors along with the junction box and the fuel lines that lead to the manifold. You’ll also have to unplug the crankcase ventilation valve, knock sensor, oil level indicator, and throttle position sensor.
- Once you have removed the intake manifold, you should be able to see the valley pan. This is also an excellent time to replace the injectors since you can access them easily.
- Next, remove the water pump. While this isn’t a mandatory step, it gives you more room to easily access the valley pan and remove its cover.
- Remove the valley pan cover by unscrewing all the bolts that hold it in place.
- Discard the old gasket and replace it with a more reliable unit, like the one we’ve linked to above, and reattach the valley pan cover.
- Before you reverse the steps, you should clean the surrounding area with a microfiber cloth to ensure that any leaked coolant or debris doesn’t remain.
Get the Best Parts from Bimmers.com
Owning a BMW M62-powered car can be arduous since it is a high-performance machine that demands a lot of TLC. One of the more challenging aspects of living with an engine like the BMW M62 is sourcing the correct replacement parts if something has to go wrong.
Bimmers.com is the go-to destination for all your BMW parts needs. Whether you’re a professional mechanic or an owner looking to work on their machine, you can find all the parts you need — OEM and aftermarket — for your car. Just head to the shop section of our website, enter the model and year of your Bimmer, and we’ll show you only parts that are a perfect fit.
