Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

Replacing Valve Stem Seals

Model: BMW Serie 3 E36 - Years 1990-2001
Part: Valve

When you need to rebuild an engine or resurface a cylinder head for gasket replacement, it is good practice to also replace the valve stem seals: these are essentially oil seals. To replace them, you must remove the valve, which requires a special tool to compress the spring and free the valve retainers; once the valve is out, use a valve seal puller to remove the old seal and install the new one after properly lubricating it. Reinsert the valve with the springs and use the tool to apply the retainers.

Updated on 12 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

Replacing Valve Stem Seals
Replacing Valve Stem Seals
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) To replace the valve stem seals, first obtain a valve spring compressor. This tool allows you to compress the valve return spring, separate the retai…
Replacing Valve Guide Seals
Replacing Valve Guide Seals
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Before proceeding with the replacement of the valve guide seals, ensure the surfaces are perfectly flat using a straight edge and a valve feeler gaug…
Replacing the EGR Valve on BMW 3 Series
Replacing the EGR Valve on BMW 3 Series
BMW Serie 3 (2012-2019 / F30, F31) Is there a problem with the EGR valve? Let's look at replacing the valve in our BMW 3 Series. Lift the hood of your car and secure it. Remove the pla…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Bleed the Clutch on a Renault Clio?

To bleed the clutch on a Renault Clio, open the bonnet to access the components located in the engine bay: here, you will need to undo the screws that secure the battery in its housing, the intake manifold, and the coolant reservoir. This will allow you to locate the pipe through which the brake fluid flows: by inserting the other end of the pipe into a container, you can press the clutch pedal to expel all the fluid until it fills the container.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos