Dark fluid used for lubrication leaking

[Oli77]

Note that I did not use the word oil in the title. The reason why is because you can't search for "oil leak", but I'll remember dark fluid (4 letter words - hehe).



Was making sure I tightened all the screws well when I did my disa/icv clean a month ago (cause I have had a whistle at 4500-on rmps), and I so this. It is oil.

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac208/othibau/DSC07252.jpg

[Oli77]

And then I see this at e46fanatics:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=9614732&postcount=12 in the oil filter housing gasket leak thread.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=307157&stc=1&d=1237474842

By ssm1991 on the forum: "Take out the air filter box (5 min), and point a strong flashlight into the area of the block circled below -- the waffled part of the block with 2 unused bolt holes. If it's wet with oil, then for sure the gasket is leaking. It's virtually impossible for a power steering leak to get there."

That is exactly the area pictured in my first pic.

Other ideas or is that it?

[danewilson77]

I thought a leak on the "waffled" area was indicative of an OFHG leak?

[Oli77]

OFHG?

[kayger12]

Yes, you have an oil filter housing gasket leak(OFHG). You're both talking about the same thing.

Common leak, $5 part, couple of hour DIY.

[Oli77]

Thanks Keith, yes I see the OFHG.

I've been looking at DIYs, looks like a pretty decent amount of work. . .

I can feel my back already.

David did his (Mtnman), did I read correctly that the power steering fluid needs to be emptied?


Air box out, fan shroud out, power steering pump out (16 Ft/lb)
Alternator pulley out (30 Ft/Lb)
Hydraulic pulley out (30 Ft/Lb)
Lower Vanos line (24 Ft/Lb)
several electrical connectors and finally:
Oil filter housing out (16 Ft/Lb)

New oil, oil filter, and this:

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/18341_x600.jpg $5.76 and probably 5-6 hours.

[danewilson77]

I just got my gasket the other day...with my new scoop.

[kayger12]

Not hard, just a little time consuming. If you put the car up on ramps, your back will thank you later.

No need to empty the PS reservoir. You just remove the two mounting bolts and lay it off to the side out of the way.

And yep, once the stuff is out it's a clean shot to the housing.

Just remember to keep track of the housing bolts as far as where specifically they go as they're different lengths.

[Oli77]

Scoop, do I need a scoop , WTF is a scoop and where do I by one? How much?

[kayger12]

I read some horror stories about getting the alternator off/on, but mine was very easy and didn't give me any trouble.

[Oli77]

Not hard, just a little time consuming. If you put the car up on ramps, your back will thank you later.

No need to empty the PS reservoir. You just remove the two mounting bolts and lay it off to the side out of the way.

And yep, once the stuff is out it's a clean shot to the housing.

Just remember to keep track of the housing bolts as far as where specifically they go as they're different lengths.


Good points sir.

[danewilson77]

Scoop, do I need a scoop , WTF is a scoop and where do I by one? How much?

LOL....no.....The gasket came in the same order as my scoop. You don't need one....or maybe you do....just not for the OFHG job...hehe.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/1-15.jpg

[Oli77]

Ah, that scoop is an easy DIY (just pinched my finger - blood blister type).

Local BMW repair shop quoted me $200 for the job. I'm thinking about it.

I like the idea of saving money though...

[Oli77]

Do I need to remove fan shroud if it's a manual?

[danewilson77]

Probably....to make for more room. Dunno for sure, as I haven't read the diy.

[kayger12]

Do I need to remove fan shroud if it's a manual?

For the OFHG, yes.

[Oli77]

Yes agreed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy0EKjuxlpY&feature=g-upl&context=G2904dc6AUAAAAAAACAA

[Oli77]

Very tempting.

[Oli77]

Ok so I am in there and the 8 mm Hex for hydraulic tensioner is not what I have in the car.

Could it be Torx 50? Looking for mirror now...

[Oli77]

Got it pulley off. PO not too clean on putting an 8 mm hex in that hole!

[Oli77]

1.6 hours:


housing is out leak was substantial!

[danewilson77]

1.6 hours:


housing is out leak was substantial!

Get a pic of the failure point on that gasket please.

Good work.

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[Oli77]

Yessir:

Gasket was still soft and pliable (not as much as the one I put in though). It was very compressed into the grove, however, and barely extruded from the face of the housing. You can see that there is a lot of oil below the gasket area (where there should not be any).

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac208/othibau/DSC07264.jpg

When I put the new gasket on, it was not as flush as the original on the housing (it stuck out more).

All torqued. Changed oil. Good to go I think.

Total time was 4 hours. No problem with the alternator either.

[danewilson77]

Good work my man. I wonder if the new gaskets have a better/taller profile?

What did you put on the gasket, upon install?

Sent from SIGFest 2012

[kayger12]

Yessir:

Gasket was still soft and pliable (not as much as the one I put in though). It was very compressed into the grove, however, and barely extruded from the face of the housing. You can see that there is a lot of oil below the gasket area (where there should not be any).

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac208/othibau/DSC07264.jpg

When I put the new gasket on, it was not as flush as the original on the housing (it stuck out more).

All torqued. Changed oil. Good to go I think.

Total time was 4 hours. No problem with the alternator either.

Nice job. Glad it went well.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

[static667]

I wish I had caught this earlier. I would have recommended doing your PCV valve while you had everything apart.

[kayger12]

I wish I had caught this earlier. I would have recommended doing your PCV valve while you had everything apart.

That's a nightmare I wouldn't do until I was forced to.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

[static667]

That's a nightmare I wouldn't do until I was forced to.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

Half of the work is taking everything apart.

[WOLFN8TR]

The BMW dealer quoted me $985 to do the OFHG!

I didn't have to drain my power steering fluid, just set the unit aside.

When I did my OFHG I noticed the old one wasn't cracked, broken or brittle but really flat as stated. I cleaned everything up real good. Then I used some High Temp forma gasket and ran a small bead all around the housing where the gasket goes, inserted the gasket then wiped off any excess. Let it dry over night then reinstalled the housing. It did make a difference on how much the gasket seals against the engine block. I can't believe that OEM gasket is so thin. I did this in September of 2011, so far all good.


Sent from my 1982 Commodore 64.

[Oli77]

G

What did you put on the gasket, upon install?



Nothing.


Nice job. Glad it went well.


Thanks. I was encouraged by that video and new I would have support through the mafia.

I did sweat some bullets with the 8 mm hex on the hydraulic pulley. The PO (or shop ?) had mingled the opening and my 8 mm hex didn't fit! I started pounding the hex in and realized (almost too late) that I was not properly aligned with the groves in the nut. Sooooooo, I stopped turned the hex and pounded into it right. Tell you, this was the very good feeling.

I did sweat more bullets as I was driving away and for the next 45 minutes (some at highway speeds). Did I tightened everything right? So far so good.

[Oli77]

The BMW dealer quoted me $985 to do the OFHG!

I didn't have to drain my power steering fluid, just set the unit aside.

When I did my OFHG I noticed the old one wasn't cracked, broken or brittle but really flat as stated. I cleaned everything up real good. Then I used some High Temp forma gasket and ran a small bead all around the housing where the gasket goes, inserted the gasket then wiped off any excess. Let it dry over night then reinstalled the housing. It did make a difference on how much the gasket seals against the engine block. I can't believe that OEM gasket is so thin. I did this in September of 2011, so far all good.


Sent from my 1982 Commodore 64.

Uhhhhh, and for the one who put nothing on the gasket and simply dry mounted it? Do I get some "award of ninkumpupness"?

[danewilson77]

The BMW dealer quoted me $985 to do the OFHG!

I didn't have to drain my power steering fluid, just set the unit aside.

When I did my OFHG I noticed the old one wasn't cracked, broken or brittle but really flat as stated. I cleaned everything up real good. Then I used some High Temp forma gasket and ran a small bead all around the housing where the gasket goes, inserted the gasket then wiped off any excess. Let it dry over night then reinstalled the housing. It did make a difference on how much the gasket seals against the engine block. I can't believe that OEM gasket is so thin. I did this in September of 2011, so far all good.


Sent from my 1982 Commodore 64.

Good info Wolfy


Nothing.



Thanks. I was encouraged by that video and new I would have support through the mafia.

I did sweat some bullets with the 8 mm hex on the hydraulic pulley. The PO (or shop ?) had mingled the opening and my 8 mm hex didn't fit! I started pounding the hex in and realized (almost too late) that I was not properly aligned with the groves in the nut. Sooooooo, I stopped turned the hex and pounded into it right. Tell you, this was the very good feeling.

I did sweat more bullets as I was driving away and for the next 45 minutes (some at highway speeds). Did I tightened everything right? So far so good.


Uhhhhh, and for the one who put nothing on the gasket and simply dry mounted it? Do I get some "award of ninkumpupness"?

Naaa...you should have used a light coat of oil, minimum.....but most likely it will be fine.

[Oli77]

Thanks for the info Dane. I hope my greasy fingers were enough to deposit some oil along the edge of the gasket. I pushed it in and followed the contour nicely (almost religiously) with my finger.

Lesson learned boss. Won't happen again, promise ;)