Valve-cover replacement can address a confirmed cracked cover, perimeter oil leak, burning-oil smell or oil in the spark-plug wells on a 2011–2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i with the 3.0L N55 gasoline engine. A crankcase-ventilation fault may also cause whistling or rough idle. There is no dedicated fault code that proves this cover has failed; an external leak may set no code, while mixture and misfire faults require their own diagnosis. Symptoms alone do not establish that the featured assembly is the correct repair.
Application and fitment
This guide focuses on the E70 X5 xDrive35i, including its Premium and Sport Activity versions, for model years 2011–2013. BMW identifies this engine as the N55: a 3.0L inline six using a single twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and Valvetronic. The diesel xDrive35d, V8 xDrive50i and X5 M use different engines. The older naturally aspirated X5 also requires a different cover.
A-Premium’s catalog lists its APEVC0056 cover across several BMW families, including X5 applications from 2011–2018. That broader listing is a parts-identification starting point, not permission to apply E70 access steps to every chassis. Match the VIN-based cover interchange, hose ports, bolt locations and production configuration before purchasing. An engine swap or an aftermarket intake may change what you find under the hood.
Advanced; fuel-system experience needed
6–10 hours for a first-time E70 DIY
$160–$350, before unusual repairs
Featured valve-cover assembly
A-Premium plastic engine valve cover with gasket — ASIN B08HHCTQKJ, selected variation: Standard Type (Plastic). The manufacturer catalog identifies the matching cover family as APEVC0056, with interchange 11127570292. The selected listing describes one cover, one main gasket, three spark-plug sealing pieces, 24 bolts and an oil filler cap. Inspect the actual package before taking the vehicle apart. The aluminum variation is a separate item.
Do not assume that the package includes every disturbed hose, Valvetronic motor seal, seal screw, fuel pipe or chassis fastener. Check those separately. An integral ventilation feature does not make the assembly a replacement for a damaged external breather hose, and a cover cannot repair worn piston rings, a defective injector or a turbocharger oil leak.
View the plastic N55 valve-cover assembly
Vehicle compatibility
| Vehicle | Years | Engine and scope |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 xDrive35i / Premium / Sport Activity, E70 | 2011–2013 | 3.0L N55 gasoline inline six; primary application. Confirm cover interchange and production details. |
| BMW X5, later catalog applications | 2014–2018 | Manufacturer lists the cover for matching 3.0L engines; later chassis access is outside this repair overview. |
| BMW 135i / M235i | 2011–2013 / 2014–2016 | Manufacturer-listed N55 applications; a separate chassis-specific procedure is required. |
| BMW 335i xDrive / 435i xDrive | 2011–2015 / 2014–2016 | Manufacturer-listed matching 3.0L applications; this is not a claim for every engine or body version. |
| X5 diesel, V8, X5 M; N52, N54, N20 and B58 engines | Not covered | Do not select by displacement, badge resemblance or a generic BMW fitment claim. |
Diagnose the leak before buying parts
Start with the engine cold and the oil level checked using the vehicle’s normal procedure. Photograph the original wet areas, then clean the exterior enough to distinguish old residue from a fresh leak. Trace the highest fresh oil source. Oil can travel along castings, wiring and underbody panels before it reaches the ground, so the final drip location is often misleading.
Examine the filler cap and its seating surface, the cover perimeter, the electrical-seal area, breather connections and plug wells. A cracked housing or damaged sealing land favors a complete cover replacement; a gasket-only job needs a sound housing. Avoid levering against fragile plastic just to test it. Do not tighten random bolts to stop a leak: excessive torque can damage the cover or cylinder-head threads.
For rough idle, record the exact stored faults and freeze-frame information before clearing them. Inspect ignition components and intake connections as separate possibilities. Oil around a coil boot is evidence of a leak, but not proof that the coil is still usable. Fuel delivery, compression, intake leakage and other engine-control faults can produce similar symptoms.
A whistle or unusual oil-cap suction calls for an engine-specific crankcase-pressure test and inspection of the ventilation path. The feel of the oil cap is not a calibrated test. Do not spray flammable chemicals around a running engine to locate an air leak. Persistent oil consumption without a visible leak also needs diagnosis beyond the cover.
Tools, parts and supplies
Use the following exact products only where their specifications match the work. Check your existing tools first. Small fasteners and the larger fuel or brace connections require different torque ranges; owning one torque wrench does not cover the entire job.
| Tool or Supply | Exact Product | Product Link | Purpose and Selection Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metric sockets and ratchet | Amazon Basics 55-piece 1/4-inch-drive set, 4–14 mm standard/deep metric sockets | View metric sockets and ratchet | Includes 8 and 10 mm sockets, two extensions and a universal joint for small access hardware. |
| Larger sockets and ratchet | TEKTON SKT15301 46-piece 3/8-inch-drive socket set, metric 8–19 mm | View larger sockets and ratchet | Includes 16 mm for relevant brace access. Identify the actual fastener before selecting a socket. |
| External Torx sockets | LEXIVON LX-147 13-piece E4–E20 set with drive adapters | View external torx sockets | Includes E6 and E12 for the seal and cover fasteners described in the N55 walkthrough; match the tool drive to the wrench. |
| Torx bits | LEXIVON LX-143 13-piece T8–T60 set | View torx bits | Includes T30 for the rear bracket. These bits do not replace external Torx sockets. |
| Low-range torque wrench | LEXIVON LX-181, 1/4-inch drive, 20–200 in-lb / 2.26–22.6 N·m | View low-range torque wrench | Its range includes 8.5 N·m. It cannot reach the larger fuel-line or brace specifications. |
| Medium-range torque wrench | LEXIVON LX-182, 3/8-inch drive, 10–80 ft-lb / 13.6–108.5 N·m | View medium-range torque wrench | For higher-torque fasteners once their exact specifications are established. Its minimum setting is too high for the cover. |
| Fuel-line wrench attachments | SUNEX TOOLS 9710M 10-piece 3/8-inch-drive metric flare-nut crowfoot set, 10–19 mm | View fuel-line wrench attachments | Includes 14 mm. Confirm nut size, clearance and proper line support first. Account for the crowfoot’s effective length when applying torque; do not bend a fuel pipe to gain access. |
| External cleanup cloths | WypAll PowerClean X80 41041 blue cloths, 152-count box | View external cleanup cloths | For external oil cleanup only; use separately selected lint-free materials and clean caps at fuel-system openings. |
Application-specific items: Arrange the correct Valvetronic motor seal and its required new screws, any damaged breather or vacuum hoses, and any fuel lines or one-time-use hardware required by the actual production configuration. Select these using the VIN and the installed components. Keep suitable clean fuel-port caps, lint-free materials, protective gloves, eye protection and a full face guard available. Do not substitute a loose rag inside a fuel port.
Diagnostic access: A BMW-compatible diagnostic system helps preserve fault information and perform any required post-repair checks. Verify support for the actual vehicle and requested service function before purchasing. An ordinary code reader cannot be assumed to support all BMW service routines. Fuel-system protective equipment and connection tools must be ready before disassembly.
DIY versus professional cost
| Budget item | DIY planning estimate | Professional planning estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Cover and related seals/hardware | $160–$350 | $250–$600, depending on parts choice and markup |
| Consumables | $20–$50 | $20–$70 |
| Tools if not owned | $180–$400; diagnostic access may add cost | Normally included in the labor rate |
| Labor | Your own time; approximately 6–10 hours | Illustrative 5–8 hours × $130–$200/hour = $650–$1,600 |
| Total before tax | $180–$400 with tools owned; $360–$800 buying tools | $920–$2,270 |
These are budgeting estimates rather than current retail prices or guaranteed labor-book times. The comparison assumes a cover replacement with routine access and no broken fuel fittings, stripped threads or unrelated engine repair. Ask whether a quote includes related seals, required replacement pipes or hardware, diagnosis and a post-repair leak check. Extra work should be identified separately.
Step-by-step repair overview
Plan enough uninterrupted time to keep the open engine and fuel system protected. Organize fasteners by location and photograph every routing detail before moving a harness. The outline below describes the N55 work stages; fuel-system work should be performed by someone equipped to control residual pressure and restore the exact installed connections correctly.
- Confirm the job. Establish the leak source, engine identity, replacement-cover match and complete parts inventory. Save the initial fault report. A nonmatching hose fitting or missing seal is a reason to stop before the old cover is removed.
- Prepare a safe work area. Cool the engine, isolate the battery negative cable and keep the key away. Keep the luggage area accessible. Prepare clean protective caps and suitable fuel-handling protection before approaching any pressure connection.
- Create access. Remove obstructing engine trim, intake pieces and E70 access hardware in an organized order. Mark connectors and vacuum routing. Support moved wiring so its weight does not pull on a connector. Do not copy a different chassis’s brace arrangement.
- Clear the top of the cover. Move the harness, ignition coils, ground connections and rear bracket as needed. Release connector locks rather than pulling wires. Keep dirt out of the plug wells and inspect brittle breather connections before applying force.
- Handle fuel lines as a separate controlled operation. The N55 layout requires pressure-line access. Protect against residual-pressure discharge, prevent pump activation and cap clean openings immediately. Keep each pipe identified and undamaged; do not bend pipes aside or assume that every removed pipe may be reused.
- Release the cover. Remove the Valvetronic motor seal as required and release the cover fasteners without distorting the housing. This operation does not call for casually dismantling the Valvetronic drive. Lift only after confirming that every attached hose, bracket and fastener is free.
- Inspect and clean. Protect the exposed engine. Remove old gasket material without scratching the head or shedding abrasive debris into it. Compare the old and new covers, seals, ports and hardware side by side. Retrieve every protective covering before closing the engine.
- Seat the replacement. Keep the gaskets fully located in their grooves. Lower the cover squarely, check the rear edge and make sure no harness is trapped. Start fasteners by hand. Do not use mounting bolts to force a misaligned cover into position.
- Tighten and reconnect. The referenced N55 walkthrough specifies 8.5 N·m for the cover bolts. Use the correct application tightening sequence and confirm instructions for the supplied fasteners. Install the motor seal with the required new hardware, then restore the fuel connections, wiring, grounds, hoses and structural access hardware to their individual specifications.
- Check before starting. Account for tools and protective caps, confirm connector locks and hose routing, then inspect the restored fuel system during the specified pressure check. Never crank through a visible leak or unexplained fuel smell. After a dry, stable start, check idle quality, faults and fresh oil leakage; recheck after a heat cycle and cool-down.
A leaking fuel joint is not corrected by tightening it repeatedly until it seems dry. Shut the engine down and have the connection, pipe condition and assembly procedure assessed. Likewise, a persistent oil leak after replacement needs a fresh source check rather than extra torque. Do not road-test a vehicle with severe misfire, active fuel leakage or oil reaching hot exhaust parts.
Common mistakes
- Buying an N52 or N54 cover because it also fits a BMW six-cylinder engine.
- Interpreting a broad marketplace model list as proof of engine and production-date compatibility.
- Using the medium-range torque wrench on the low-torque cover bolts.
- Confusing inch-pounds with foot-pounds or ignoring a crowfoot attachment’s geometry.
- Dropping dirt into open fuel fittings, damaging a sealing cone or forcing a pipe into alignment.
- Pinching the rear gasket, omitting a ground connection or trapping a vacuum hose.
- Replacing the cover without checking for a separate oil-filter housing, ignition or intake problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same cover as the naturally aspirated N52 part?
No. The featured ASIN is the plastic N55 assembly. Engine identification matters more than a similar model name or engine displacement; do not interchange the two covers.
Can I replace only the gasket?
Possibly, if diagnosis shows a gasket leak and the housing, sealing lands and ventilation system are sound. A gasket alone does not fix a cracked housing. Compare the labor and the condition of the whole assembly before choosing.
Does a misfire code mean the cover is bad?
No. Record the code, inspect the affected cylinder and investigate ignition, air, fuel and mechanical causes. Oil in a plug well can explain one part of the problem, but a new cover cannot guarantee that every running fault disappears.
Is this a suitable first repair?
The combination of fragile connections, restricted access and direct-injection fuel lines makes this an advanced job. A first-time mechanic can still use the diagnosis and parts sections to discuss the repair with a specialist.
Can I keep driving with a small oil leak?
The decision depends on leak location and severity. Oil reaching hot components, a falling oil level, heavy smoke or a severe misfire calls for stopping and assessment. A fuel smell after service is an immediate stopping point.
Does the kit include everything?
The listing’s cover, gasket pieces, bolts and cap are not a promise that every disturbed seal, pipe and hose is supplied. Compare the inventory with the vehicle-specific work plan before removing the old cover.
Sources and further reading
- A-Premium APEVC0056 catalog and compatibility table.
- BMW: 2011 X5 engine and model information.
- BMW of North America: 2013 E70 X5 ordering guide.
- FCP Euro: first-hand N55 valve-cover walkthrough — compare chassis and engine configuration before using access details.
- BMW N55 pressure-line safety instructions, reproduced by Operation CHARM — engine-system precautions; E92 access is not E70 access.
- LEXIVON LX-181 specifications and LX-182 specifications.
- HowToMechanic: BMW valve-cover and crankcase-ventilation overview.