DIY Cam Cover and Intake Manifold Gasket Change and variable valve adjuster Solenoid 599

After rebuilding my 07’ Mercedes AMG E63 NA I certainly have an advanced appreciation for engines that are well made. That said, even “well made” engines have their faulty or “weak” points! In the E63, one in particular is its Head-bolts Design whereby the Torx head was recessed into the bolt making it weak and therefore prone to breaking! In my case, from there it was matter of fixing one thing after the next, but in the end it has been every bit as rewarding as I imagine you are having. All I can say is CUDOS to you for taking this project on yourself as well as explaining it so well for those of us that have the ability to do such repair ourselves!

 

Thanks! Ferraris don’t have to be “unaffordable.” My goal is just to share my experience doing it myself. It’s a great feeling driving a car after working on it.

The Allen heads on my intake plenum were well goobered/messed-up. I think someone forced the wrong screws into them at some point. I taped all threads and replaced the hardware with m6 fine thread (special order). We definitely need to be careful threading steel into aluminum.

Working with Chris from Scuderia Car Parts makes ordering parts affordable and easy. NOT a sales pitch, just the truth.


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I wish an admin could change title to “DIY Cylinder Head & Valve Cover Gasket Change 599.” “Head gasket is incorrect of course.


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Just saw you comment; I apologize for the delayed answer. I believe that plastic hose from the back of each cover is oil/air Breather and attaches to the oil fill tunnel. There is a PCV valve or such under the heat blanket. I added the heat blanket to help prevent premature failure of those valves which is a fire hazard.


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Might as well change it to DIY Cam Cover and Intake Manifold Gasket Change 599.

If you hit the little Report exclamation point symbol at the bottom left of your post, the mods can make a title change for you.

 

On my 6.3L V8 E63, after having removed both Heads to have them rebuilt, I installed a Catch Can by running 1” Heater Hose attached to the OEM fitting on each side (ie-Crank Case-Intake Manifold) through a Catch Can to trap unwanted Oil from Vapor that would otherwise be deposited inside the Intake. My intake was quite wet with OIL before I had it rebuilt! I wonder if it would make any sense to fit one on the 599 unless, that is, there is already one essentially in place? I say that as my observation of the 599 Engine Diagrams (I’m still shopping for mine!) shows that Oil “Canister” Passenger Side from which several Oil related tubes run to? Is that Ferrari’s version of a Catch Can?

 

Yes!! I’m adding an oil catch can. Absolutely. I’ll post a thread on it too.


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Incredible job Jake, congratulations!

 

Awesome write up and I plan on doing this at some point as well. This thread along with the service manual will be my guide for sure. Do you have a part number for the VVT adjuster solenoid valves? Are they really $1000 each? Did you put grease or sealant in the electrical harnesses as some have suggested? Thanks!


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Have you considered changing the crank sensors whilst all open, mine went and was a big'ol job, so had the covers done at the same time.

 

Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Plus, I don’t think those are that expensive to add. I just got word from Ferrari Vancouver that my service is complete and I’m hoping the car will be imported in the next few weeks. They did look everything over and there are no leaks currently from the valve cover gaskets or anything on the motor, but it’s only a matter of time so hopefully I can enjoy the car for a couple years before I take this work on! The engine oil was changed six months ago so I had them do the F1 system fluid, brake fluid, coolant, gearbox oil, and accessory belts. This service to change some fluids and a couple aux belts cost significantly more than the first two or three cars I owned combined, but at least I know I’m at a good starting point!


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250646 for the variable valve timing adjuster solenoid valves. Currently on sale $777.72 on Scuderia car parts, down from $1372.32.

I put dielectric grease on a lot of rubber seals for electrical connections but depending on the seal it may not like the extra lubricant and the seal kind of folds onto itself improperly. I just assess as needed. I use DeOxit for the connections themselves which is supposedly top notch.


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Thx OP. Beautiful Z btw!


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