Rut row..I think I have an oil leak

[johnnyrad]

So here comes another project for my XI. It appears I have a slow oil leak. I think it might be the oil filter housing gasket. Well at least that's what my thought is. Found some DIY's on e46 fanatics, but wondering if any family members have tackled this job. And do I really need to remove the alternator? Any tips for me? I might tackle this job this weekend.

[danewilson77]

A few have done it here. David (Mtnman) most recently.

KG used this diy.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=657887

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[johnnyrad]

Thanks Dane...I probably should have searched a bit more. That actually looks like the best DIY on the subject. A lot work for a $5 part, but at least it's only five bucks.

[nike001]

http://www.argusi.com/e107_images/newspost_images/ruhroh.jpg

[bcleaver]

I also need to tackle this but decided to wait until I replace a whole bunch of other parts up front (power steering hoses, overflow, etc.) So I've done some research. Below are some links that will hopefully help you as I've spent a lot of time researching this and can hopefully save you some legwork. Post a write-up if you end up DIYing it as I'd love to hear how it went.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422843&highlight=torque+values

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1070662

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/oil/housing.htm

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=657887

[johnnyrad]

Post a write-up if you end up DIYing it as I'd love to hear how it went.

Roger wilco bcleaver, thanks for the links.
Might need some extra Scooby snacks to tackle this job. ;)

[Newjack]

Roger wilco bcleaver, thanks for the links.
Might need some extra Scooby snacks to tackle this job. ;)

This video is also incredible helpful to see what is going on before you actually go and do it. Familiarize to save lives.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy0EKjuxlpY

[kayger12]

It's not that bad a job. Kind of like the vanos-- nothing difficult, just a little time consuming.

As the DIY says, just keep track of the filter housing bolts as they are different sizes.

[Mtnman]

I did this 3 weeks ago. Pm me with any questions. It is straightforward, but tedious. U will change pwr steering fluid, so get some atf fluid for that. Might want to buy new reservoir while ur at it, as the filter is built in to it. Ur gonna spill oil when u crack the housing. Be ready for it. Its a great time to clean the engine too, after the housing is back on but the other shit is still off. Good time to replace pwr steering lines too. Good luck. Be patient. Label everything.....including wires. It will help.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk

[johnnyrad]

This video is also incredible helpful to see what is going on before you actually go and do it. Familiarize to save lives.

Thanks newjack. Love to see vids of DIY's.

Thanks Keith and Mtnman. Will post pics with writeup. I enjoy diving under the hood so much more then doing brakes, suspension and such. I hate that shit, but this I think I will enjoy.

[kayger12]

Yeah, it was almost a therapeutic DIY for me. I enjoy the under the hood stuff myself.

Control arms, on the other hand made me want to strangle someone...

[ryankokesh]

Control arms, on the other hand made me want to strangle someone...

Haha, I feel the same way :)



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[johnnyrad]

Control arms, on the other hand made me want to strangle someone...

Haha how about it. I did my drivers side cv boots a few weeks back, by the 12 hour (seriously) I was ready to call a tow truck and cry..but I eventually limped across the finish line.

[WOLFN8TR]

It's not that bad a job. Kind of like the vanos-- nothing difficult, just a little time consuming.

As the DIY says, just keep track of the filter housing bolts as they are different sizes.

Exactly.

It was easy just time consuming. That's the video I used to do mine. You might want to replace the CCV beings it's right there, wish I would of done mine when I had it all apart.

[kayger12]

Exactly.
You might want to replace the CCV beings it's right there, wish I would of done mine when I had it all apart.

That's one I'm not looking forward to.

Really think I might pay somebody to do that one.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[WOLFN8TR]

I agree.

[johnnyrad]

Well here are some pics of my oil filter housing gasket replacement. I started it on Friday evening and finished it Saturday morning. My neighbors dropped by while I was doing it and after many many many beers, I opted to just stop and chill as I was in no state to wrench on anything let alone my car hehe.. So this morning I gulped some water and tylenol and went to work.

It wasn't that hard, but a few things became a PITA. Re-installing the alternator wasn't that bad, but lining up the bottom bolt was. Since this car has 121,000 miles on it my engine block was super dirty with grime and oil so I cleaned it up the best I could, but it's not spotless like I was hoping to get it. One of the hex bolts for the power steering pump was stripped and I couldn't get it off so I wasn't able to remove the OFH from the car like I wanted to to get it really clean. And I didn't feel like disconnecting any power steering lines...basically I just wanted to get it done.

I also noticed the gasket was recently replaced by the PO. It wasn't brittle at all and looked brand new. Problem was, it looked "off"..like it wasn't the right size. I'm thinking it was an aftermarket brand and didn't fit right and maybe that caused the leak, idk..

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0541-1.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0543-1.jpg
Gasket and washers for Vanos line. OEM but of course.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0549-1.jpg
airbox out.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0554-1-1.jpg
Found some leaves in the cooling duct of the alternator..nice.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0556-1.jpg
Finally apart. I did this without draining my oil and since I let the oil drain out of the OFH itself well before I took it apart only a very small amount came out.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0557-1.jpg
A shot of the bottom of my oil seperator. It wasn't leaking and I have no symptoms that it's bad, so I'm letting that dog sleep for now.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0560-1.jpg
The gasket I took out of the car is on the right and the BMW one is on the left. The one on the right just doesn't look right. It looks poorly made or something like the mold is off when they made it, aftermarket for sure.

Sorry I got in a zone and stopped taking pics..so que the ending music


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/bslotterbach/DSC_0563-1.jpg
And jump to the end...Done and washed. Because anytime you work on your car, it must be freshly washed afterward right? That step can't be skipped!

[WOLFN8TR]

Looks Good.

When I replaced mine I bought one from a vendor on here and it didn't fit right and seemed to cheap. I went to BMW and bought the OEM gasket and it seemed to be better quality. I also put a thin coat of high temp forma gasket on both the housing and the gasket and let dry over night. I was surprised how bad mine was leaking when I bought my car. Oil was all over the place, all the way back to the cat.

[kayger12]

Nice job. My seal was fairly beat up like that when I did this job on my old 325 and that was the original.

BMW just puts shit seals everywhere in the E46.

[johnnyrad]

Thanks guys. The other issue I forgot to mention was that I had four service dash lights pop on when I was finished. The e brake light, ABS, service engine soon, and the center indicator lamp stayed lit. But thanfully, after letting the car idle for a minute, then turn it off, then start it again, then off again the only thing that stayed on was the service engine soon light. Then I drove to get gas, and when I got back in the car after filling up that light was gone. So now I have no warining light...whewww. Maybe the computer just had to reset itself. Idk but I was so annoyed. Seemed like as soon as you pop the hood a warning light trips!

[kayger12]

Funny-- after I did the OFHG on my auto 325 I got the transmission warning light. Same deal for me-- just went away on it's own after restart.

Weird.

[Oli77]

I'm gonna do this DIY in a couple of weeks.

[kayger12]

You'll be good.

I don't remember anything being that difficult.

Pm if you need anything.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3