1.8L 16v - M42B18

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Manufacturers

1.8L 16v - M42B18

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SUPERTECH inlet valve stem seals BMW M42 M44

VS-VBM6I-8 (170418)

New product

Set of 8 inlet valve stem seals for BMW M42 and M44, 6 mm stem.

  • Brand: SUPERTECH
  • Engines: M42B18 (from 09/1992), M44B19
  • Material: Polyacrylate (ACM)

More details

9,42 € tax incl.

  • BMW engines concerned

    This set fits the 6 mm stem inlet valves of the 1.8 and 1.9 litre BMW 16-valve four-cylinder engines: the M42B18 in its 6 mm stem version, built from September 1992, then the M44B19 that replaced it. These engines power the 318i, 318is and 318ti Compact of the E36 3 Series, the last 318i Convertible E30 and the Z3 1.9i.

    Each cylinder head has 8 inlet valves, two per cylinder. The original seal caps the guide and only lets through the oil the stem needs; BMW supplies it in seal set 11 34 9 065 438, shared by the 6 mm stem M42B18 and the M44B19.

    SUPERTECH inlet valve stem seals

    On these 318 four-cylinders, the inlet stem seal has a twofold job: leave the valve stem the thin oil film it needs inside its guide, and stop everything else. Once hardened by heat cycles, it only keeps the first promise: the M42 or M44 drinks oil, smokes blue from a cold start or after a lengthy idle, and its valves and plugs foul up.

    In the SUPERTECH range, this inlet seal is moulded in a quality polyacrylate (ACM) that fits an 8.8 mm OD guide around a 6 mm stem. Its 8 pieces cover the whole M42B18 or M44B19 inlet side; the exhaust seals, exposed to more heat, use another elastomer and are ordered apart.

    Stem seal technical specifications

    Part numberBrandPositionMaterialStem ØGuide ØSeal outside Ø
    VS-VBM6I-8SUPERTECHInletPolyacrylate (ACM)6 mm8.8 mm12.2 mm

    Stem seal installation

    PartOriginalReinforced
    Inlet stem sealBMW set 11 34 9 065 438Replaced by this set
    Exhaust stem seal6 mm stemVS-VBM6E-8 (BMW)
    Valve guides (BMW)Inside Ø 6.0 mmGDE-BMW-M50-EI-8*2
    Valves (BMW)6 mm stemInlet / Exhaust

    Technical guide

    The brand offered

    SUPERTECHFounded more than 30 years ago in San Jose, the Californian firm SUPERTECH designs valves, springs and seals for racing engines. Every batch goes under ultrasound, X-ray and laser inspection before renowned competition engine builders prove it.

    Inlet or exhaust?

    Same dimensions on both sides, different materials: SUPERTECH fits polyacrylate (ACM) VS-VBM6-I on the inlet side and keeps Viton (FKM) VS-VBM6-E for the exhaust, whose valves run hotter. According to the maker, polyacrylate withstands 177 °C (350 °F) and Viton 204 °C (400 °F) continuously. An M42 or M44 needs 8 seals of each kind.

    When valve stem seals must be replaced

    • Frequent oil top-ups, blue exhaust smoke after idling
    • Head removed and valves pulled for refacing
    • New valve guides fitted
    • Upgrade to stronger valves or springs

    Vehicle compatibility

    BMW

    ModelEngine codePowerYears
    318i Cabriolet (E30)M42B18140 hp1992
    318i (E36)M42B18140 hp1992-1995
    318is Coupé (E36)M42B18140 hp1992-1995
    318is (E36)M42B18140 hp1993-1995
    318i Cabriolet (E36)M42B18140 hp1994-1995
    318ti Compact (E36)M42B18140 hp1994-1995
    318is Coupé (E36)M44B19140 hp1995-1999
    318is (E36)M44B19140 hp1996-1998
    318is Cabriolet (E36)M44B19140 hp1996-1999
    318ti Compact (E36)M44B19140 hp1996-1999
    Z3 1.9i (E36)M44B19140 hp1995-1999

    OEM part number (BMW stem seal set): 11 34 9 065 438 (M42B18 from 09/1992, M44B19)

    Important: this set does not fit the M42B18 built before September 1992, whose valves have a 7 mm stem and take original set 11 34 9 059 171.

    Remember the exhaust valve stem seals

    The exhaust side ages at the same rate, so change its seals in one go. For the M42 and M44, SUPERTECH offers this set:

    BMW M42 M44 exhaust stem seals →