Where is the leak?

[BuzzardBiker]

Hi all,

My car has a slight leak oil leak around the oil filter unit.

Hopefully the picture shows the arrows I added.

The top yellow arrow indicates where there was a small amount of oil pooled in the little recess.

The bottom yellow arrow indicates where some oil residue was found and there was a little oil on the underside of the oil cooler part.

The little red arrow is possibly where the pooled oil leaked through the tiny gap onto the pipe I refer to.

There does not appear to be any oil on the rubber pipe below the oil cooler. Nor on the belt and it only happens when the car is driven spiritedly (not thrashed). It does not leak when driven slow and steady.

There is some stained oil residue just underneath the oil filter cap as can be seen.

I am wondering if its either the commonly failed oil filter housing gasket or the oil filter cap itself that is leaking. The latter of course just means a new oil filter and O ring gasket to be fitted which I am happy to do myself.

My car is under warranty but to claim is a PITA due to having to drop it off at a local garage and then having no transport to get home/to the office and of course going through the warranty claim process.

Opinions welcomed.

Thanks

 

[bigwinn]

Oil filter housing gasket mate

Common fail point on the n52

 

[Micke]

Had the same and it was the oil cooler gasket. Replaced it together with the oil filter housing gasket last year and no issues since.

 

[enuff_zed]

Oil filter housing gasket mate

Common fail point on the n52

Seconded. Dead easy to do. Takes about half an hour tops.

 

[BuzzardBiker]

Thanks guys.
Is it a DIY easy job with basic tools?
I can’t imagine the gaskets cost much.

My warranty claim excess varies but could be £25 before the inconvenience of garage inspection and warranty claim.

Thanks

 

[BuzzardBiker]

Oil filter housing gasket mate

Common fail point on the n52

Seconded. Dead easy to do. Takes about half an hour tops.

Thanks. I think I need to find the ‘how to’ guide.
Got my etorx sockets and 1/4 drive extensions in the post.

 

[enuff_zed]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335587361726

Basically unbolt the cooler and swap the gasket.

 

[BuzzardBiker]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335587361726

Basically unbolt the cooler and swap the gasket.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
Just bought that gasket and will fit it myself.

 

[bigwinn]

Do both gaskets (oil and water)

The difficult bolts to get are tucked under the inlet manifold and under the water feed pipe at the front of the engine.

You’ll loose coolant so it’s a good time to check/replace antifreeze and bleed it- good news is the n52 is a very easy car to bleed compared to the m54

 

[BuzzardBiker]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335587361726

Basically unbolt the cooler and swap the gasket.

Will coolant leak out if I just replace the oil housing gasket and not the coolant gasket?

Don’t want to open a can of worms and it end up being a warranty job if it can be avoided.

Thanks

 

[BuzzardBiker]

Is this the correct gasket for the oil filter housing?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335797292658?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yi1ojZncSxy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=55P7dLKFRf2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=WHATS_APP
It does make sense to do both gaskets at the same time for peace of mind.
I’m not that confident with BMW engines, coolant system so if anyone can help me or provide me a link to a good how to guide I would be very grateful.

 

[bigwinn]

That the one

You’ll loose some coolant but not bucket loads

If one is gone the other will be too

Where you based maybe someone can assist you to give you confidence?

 

[BuzzardBiker]

That the one

You’ll loose some coolant but not bucket loads

If one is gone the other will be too

Where you based maybe someone can assist you to give you confidence?

Thanks. I just bought the gasket.
I’m in South West Bedfordshire but I’m happy to travel with my parts to someone who can help.

 

[bigwinn]

Offer is there if you fancy a trip to Lincolnshire

Likewise I am sure Martin

enuff_zedd

will be happy to help up the a11

 

[BuzzardBiker]

Offer is there if you fancy a trip to Lincolnshire

Likewise I am sure Martin

enuff_zedd

will be happy to help up the a11

Sent you a PM

 

[colb]

Not all gaskets are good buy BMW to be sure, changed one on a members car he had a pattern gasket and that still leaked. Changed it again with OEM gasket also seated it with some Hylomar. Gasket sealant to be sure of a good seal. No leaks since. You will loose coolant but not much
We didn't replace the cooler gasket that was still ok.

 

[BuzzardBiker]

I ordered Febi bilstein gaskets (both).
Hopefully the oil cooler one resolves the issue.

Is it possible to replace the oil cooler gasket and the oil housing gasket at a later date without having to buy a new cooler gasket again?

To remove the cooler I can see two obvious bolts but access in the e86 engine bay is very tight.
I watched YouTube videos but while they are based on the same job, it’s in a different car with different access.
Just wondered what tools are best.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I ordered Febi bilstein gaskets (both).

I'd second not using anything other than OE. They were about £25 each when I did mine. Small price to pay to save doing the job again.

Just do both at the same time and save yourself a job. You'll need new alternator bolts as they are single use ali stretch bolts.

I did an oil change and a coolant flush + change at the same time just to be sure there was no oil in the cooling system.

This should be all of the required info (for my 2006 N52 3.0si) - the link expires Monday so PM if you want access: https://1drv.ms/f/c/9fb1756147367462/EnOsNVN_rtdDuM7c3JenRk8BC6RTLhCeYc3fXJFQDySIcA?e=i2rtD6