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 Reset the Central Locking of the Volkswagen Golf 4?

If the central locking system of the Volkswagen Golf 4 is not working, it is likely necessary to reset the system: to do this, open the driver's door and detach the side panel of the dashboard next to the steering wheel. Under this panel, you will find the fuses, including the one for the central locking, which is indicated in the manual as number 14. To reset the system, remove this fuse from its housing, then reinsert it or replace it with a new one of the same amperage: this will reset the central locking system.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos