BMW M52 / S52 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Kit

Stop one of the most common oil leaks on BMW M52 and S52 engines with our Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Kit. Manufactured by a high-quality OE supplier, this kit includes the valve cover perimeter gasket and spark plug tube seals needed to properly reseal the top of your engine.

BMW M52 and S52 valve cover gaskets are known to become hard and brittle after years of engine heat and repeated heat cycles. Once the gasket begins to fail, oil commonly leaks down the exhaust side of the cylinder head, creating a mess around the engine and potentially producing the familiar burning-oil smell or smoke when oil reaches the hot exhaust.

The spark plug tube seals are another common leak point. When these seals deteriorate, engine oil can collect inside the spark plug wells around the ignition coils and spark plugs. Left unaddressed, this can contribute to misfires, contaminated spark plug boots, ignition coil problems, and premature failure of ignition components.

If you're already removing the valve cover for a Single VANOS rebuild, timing service, spark plug replacement, or other engine repair, it's the perfect time to replace these aging seals.

Kit Includes

• Valve Cover Perimeter Gasket
• Spark Plug Tube Seals
• High-quality OE supplier components
• Direct replacement for the original BMW gasket set

Replaces BMW Part Numbers

This gasket set replaces or cross-references the following BMW part numbers:

• 11129070532
• 11121703342
• 11120034108

BMW 11120034108 is the later replacement number for the earlier 11121703342 and 11129070532 gasket sets.

Common Symptoms of a Leaking Valve Cover Gasket

A failing M52/S52 valve cover gasket can cause:

• Oil leaking down the side of the cylinder head
• Oil leaks around the exhaust side of the engine
• Burning oil smell
• Smoke from oil reaching hot exhaust components
• Oil collecting around the spark plugs
• Oil contamination around the ignition coils
• Engine misfires
• Increased engine oil consumption
• Visible oil residue around the valve cover

With these engines now decades old, valve cover gasket replacement should be considered a normal maintenance repair rather than an unusual failure.

Important Installation Note — RTV Required at Key Areas

When installing the new gasket, we recommend using a small amount of high-temperature black RTV at the appropriate half-moon and transition areas of the cylinder head.

Do not coat the entire valve cover gasket with RTV. Sealant should only be used at the appropriate joints and transition points where additional sealing is required.

Always thoroughly clean the cylinder head and valve cover mating surfaces before installing the new gasket.

Perfect for a Single VANOS Service

The valve cover must be removed for many M52 and S52 VANOS repairs, making this an excellent preventative-maintenance item to replace while you're already there.

If the existing gasket is old, hardened, or showing signs of leakage, reinstalling it can mean taking everything apart again shortly afterward. Installing a fresh valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals allows you to properly reseal the engine during your VANOS service.

Fitment Guide

This gasket set fits BMW models equipped with the M52 and US-spec S52 engines. Verified applications include the E36, E39, and Z3 platforms.

*Model-year availability can vary depending on market and body style.

Important E39 Fitment Note

The E39 528i changed from the Single VANOS M52 to the Dual VANOS M52TU during production. This gasket is for the earlier M52 configuration; listings specify fitment through approximately 09/1998 production.

If you have an E39 produced around this transition period, verify the engine before ordering.

Important Z3 Fitment Note

This gasket fits applicable Z3 models equipped with the M52 or S52. Later Z3 models transitioned to the M52TU and M54, which use a different valve cover gasket design.

For the Z3 M, this kit fits the US-market S52-powered M Roadster and M Coupe. Later S54-powered Z3 M models require a different gasket.

Engine Fitment

Compatible with:

• M52B25
• M52B28
• S52B32

This kit is specifically for the M52/S52 valve cover design and should not be confused with the later M52TU/M54 Dual VANOS valve cover gasket set.

Fix the Leak While You're Already in There

Whether you're chasing an existing oil leak or already removing the valve cover for a Single VANOS rebuild, replacing the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals is inexpensive preventative maintenance that can save you from doing the job twice.

A fresh OE-quality gasket set helps keep engine oil where it belongs, inside the engine and out of the spark plug wells.