BMW M50 / M50TU / S50 US Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Kit

Stop one of the most common oil leaks on BMW M50, M50TU, and US-spec S50 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 valve cover gaskets are subjected to decades of engine heat and repeated heat cycles. Over time, the rubber gasket material can become hard, brittle, and compressed, eventually allowing engine oil to escape around the valve cover.

A common sign of failure is oil leaking down the exhaust side of the cylinder head. Once oil reaches the hot exhaust components, it can create the familiar burning-oil smell and even visible smoke from the engine bay.

The spark plug tube seals are another important leak point. When these seals fail, 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 ignition component failure.

If you're already removing the valve cover for a VANOS rebuild, timing service, spark plug replacement, or other engine repair, it's an ideal 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:

• 11129070531
• 11120034107
• 11121738382
• 11121738701

These numbers represent different revisions and supersessions of the M50/S50 valve cover gasket set. BMW 11120034107 is commonly listed as the current replacement gasket set, while the earlier numbers cross-reference to the same application.

Common Symptoms of a Leaking Valve Cover Gasket

A failing M50/M50TU/S50 valve cover gasket can cause:

• Oil leaking around the perimeter of the valve cover
• Oil running down the exhaust side of the cylinder head
• Burning oil smell
• Smoke from oil contacting hot exhaust components
• Oil collecting inside the spark plug wells
• Oil contamination around the ignition coils
• Engine misfires
• Visible oil residue around the cylinder head and valve cover

With these engines now more than 30 years old, valve cover gasket replacement should be considered a normal maintenance repair.

Important Installation Note — Use RTV at Key Areas

When installing the new gasket, we recommend applying a small amount of high-temperature black RTV at the appropriate half-moon sections and transition points at the front and rear 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 areas where additional sealing is required.

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

Perfect for a VANOS Service

On M50TU and S50US engines, the valve cover must be removed for many Single VANOS repairs. This makes valve cover gasket replacement an excellent preventative-maintenance item 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 top of the engine during your VANOS service.

Fitment Guide

This gasket set fits applicable BMW models equipped with the M50, M50TU, and US-spec S50B30US engines. Verified US applications include the E34 525i, E36 325-series, and 1995 E36 M3.

*Production dates and engine configurations can vary. Verify your engine and valve cover configuration before ordering.

Important M50 Production-Date Note

BMW introduced VANOS to the M50 during production, creating what is commonly referred to as the M50TU or M50 VANOS engine.

The later VANOS gasket application is specifically documented for 1993–1995 E36 325i/325is/325ic, 1993–1995 E34 525i, and the 1995 US E36 M3.

Some early non-VANOS M50 applications can have production-date differences, so we recommend verifying the BMW part number or gasket profile when ordering for an early M50-powered vehicle.

Important E36 Production Note

For the E36 325i/325is, BMW catalog listings for earlier gasket revisions specifically note a production break around 09/1992. Vehicles produced around this transition should be verified by production date before ordering.

US-Spec S50 Fitment

This gasket fits the S50B30US engine used in the:

1995 E36 M3 Coupe — US market

The US S50 is closely related to the M50 engine family and uses the applicable M50-style valve cover gasket set. Current parts catalogs list BMW 11120034107 for both the M50 2.5L and US S50 3.0L applications.

This listing should not be confused with European S50 engines. European S50B30 and S50B32 engines are substantially different from the US-market S50B30US and should not be assumed to use this gasket.

Engine Fitment

Compatible with applicable versions of:

• M50B25
• M50TUB25
• S50B30US

Important: M50 vs. M52 Gaskets

Although the M50/M50TU and M52 are closely related BMW inline-six engines, they use different valve cover gasket sets.

The M50/S50 gasket set is associated with BMW part number 11120034107, while the later M52/S52 gasket set uses 11120034108. Do not order based solely on the appearance of the engine or VANOS unit, verify the engine code before ordering.

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.