How to Change a Valve Cover Gasket on a BMW Z3

1. Remove the spark plug wires from the wire loom secured to the top of the valve cover gasket. BMW uses the wire loom to prevent the spark plug wires from contacting the engine block while the engine is hot. You can pull the wires free from the wire looms with your fingers.
2. Remove the 14-bolts that secure the valve cover to the BMW's engine head with a socket and ratchet.
3. Pull the valve cover off the engine head. If the cover sticks to the head, wedge a blade screwdriver between the two to break the seal.
4. Place shop towels over the valves inside the engine head to prevent getting any gasket debris into the engine.
5. Scrape the old gasket off the engine head and valve cover with a metal wire brush.
6. Place a bead of RTV sealer around the mating surfaces of the engine head and the valve cover. Wait approximately 20 minutes for the sealer to firm up.
7. Place the gasket onto the engine head and line up the holes for the bolts. Place the valve cover onto the engine head.
8. Thread each of the 14 bolts into the engine head using your fingers to avoid cross-threading the bolts. Tighten each bolt in an alternating fashion from left to right with the socket and ratchet.
9. Press the spark plug wires back into the wire looms.