2008 BMW X3 Valve Cover Gasket replacement fixed my clunk E83
This video talks about my experience leading up to replacing my valve cover gasket, and then the improvement after replacement.
Overall, the car drives much smoother and is more precise. Before, when I came to a stop, I felt a sort of "clunk" or downshift right before stopping. At first, I thought servicing the automatic transmission might have caused the issue, but it was the valve cover gasket that was really the culprit.
I've seen a lot of similar procedures for other models where an air shroud tears after the MAF and a similar issue occurs. Also on the generation right before this that used a DISA actuator, sometimes that assembly would leak air and again, you eventually get a check engine light. I saw the P0171 error when my check engine light eventually came on, all because of a leaking valve cover gasket around a spark plug tube. Be sure to also change the eccentric shaft sensor when you do this repair to save yourself a headache later on down the line.
Parts & tools I used from Amazon:
Valve Cover Gasket: http://amzn.to/2o1ON74
Eccentric Shaft Sensor: http://amzn.to/2oK6qqL
Eccentric Shaft Sensor gasket: http://amzn.to/2oKchfx
Valvetronic motor gasket: http://amzn.to/2ol9VBq
Precise 1/4" torque wrench: http://amzn.to/2oqXxyG