[Whatsnext]

I have 124k on my F30 and know there is an oil leak but minimal one. I had to get a new battery today so the dealer said one of my leaks is the oil filter housing gasket. Anyone else have this issue? If so, how much were you quoted and is this a DIY or too labor intensive? I know a valve gasket is leaking but they said this one will need a repair due to under pressure and will get worse. Other than those issues they couldn't find anything wrong with my car-thankfully.

[DJSF3014]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext

I have 124k on my F30 and know there is an oil leak but minimal one. I had to get a new battery today so the dealer said one of my leaks is the oil filter housing gasket. Anyone else have this issue? If so, how much were you quoted and is this a DIY or too labor intensive? I know a valve gasket is leaking but they said this one will need a repair due to under pressure and will get worse. Other than those issues they couldn't find anything wrong with my car-thankfully.

Oil filter housing is one of the most common leaks on the n55 it is very easy to diy lots of videos on it but if you take it to a shop and they do it by book time it can be expensive because bmw calls for removing the whole intake manifold when in reality you would only need to take off all the bolts pull it out a little to reach to one on the back side other than that it's straight forward. Also best to get it taken care of ASAP cause oil can drip down onto the belt and cause it to slip if it gets worse or sits on the belt then that can be sucked into the engine and cause more damage.

[Charles B]

This is an easy fix at home. If that's not your thing, do not go to dealer. Find a good independent BMW shop to have this done. The dealer is way to pricy for regular repair work.

[328iX]

Common with every modern BMW to my knowledge. My n20 is 5.5 years old and it's dry which I consider fairly reliable, I'm guessing engines with more horsepower and higher thermal stress experience failure earlier.

[tardboi]

If you do it, make sure to prime the engine after. I think the whole "n55 fail after OFHG replacement" thing was confirmed?

[Whatsnext]

Originally Posted by tardboi

If you do it, make sure to prime the engine after. I think the whole "n55 fail after OFHG replacement" thing was confirmed?

What is needed to prime the engine after? I watched the videos on how to change the gasket and it seems relatively simple. Dealer wants $1,000 and appears to be 2 simple gaskets for $60 and a couple hours of time.

[rjd_F30]

Had my N55 OFHG replaced by the dealer under warranty. I only paid a deductible, but the cost I would've paid w/o warranty was $679.96.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by tardboi

If you do it, make sure to prime the engine after. I think the whole "n55 fail after OFHG replacement" thing was confirmed?

I'd read up ion this priming business,. I have been driving Bimmers with inline 6 motors for 15+ years- I change my own oil and filter, DIY a lot of my service/repairs - have never 'primed' any motor after OFHG gasket replacement or a straight oil/filter change. I've read a few of the N55 posts on the topic, I'm highly doubtful on the need to do priming after gasket change; I don't feel the proof of need to prime has been validated-

[erickonphoenix]

I've replaced a few. It's one of those things that's not hard once you do it the first time lol. The alternator removal on the M54 had a "technique" to get it out, other than that the procedure was cake.

I don't know anyone that does the engine oil priming procedure but basically it's removing the injector connectors then cranking the engine over a few times to get oil into the system. The only times I've heard it's done is engine swaps.

[Billfitz]

You don't need to prime after an oil change, or a filter change, so you certainly don't need to after a gasket change.

[tardboi]

Wether it makes sense or not, BMW dealers do it now- so I would trust there was a connection made

[Billfitz]

Let's see, another hour of labor at $130 an hour...

You do have to add both oil and coolant to replace what was lost in the process, but that's all that my Bentley manual makes mention of.

[tardboi]

I suppose, but mine was warrantied. I don't know if they can pick and choose when to do the priming.

[Orion4]

It's not like your draining all oil out of the engine and flushing it to a bone dry condition through-out. There is still oil clinging to all the surfaces during the gasket change just as if you were doing an oil/filter change. Good money-maker for the dealer. I don't know of any of the BMW specific Indies that I have used since 2003 that recommend or try to push that procedure. Since yours was a warranty repair, its a money + for the service department without having to talk you into it.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

Easy job. Did it myself as well. I didn't prime anything and motor is fine. Only thing that kinda sucks is that you have to loosen the intake manifold to get to one of the bolts.

[odessa91]

"After replacing the engine or making engine repairs that require the replacement or removal of the engine bearings, VANOS gears, camshafts, bed plate resealing, engine oil pump, engine oil filter housing, cylinder head, engine oil cooler or anything that interrupts the engine oil supply circuit of the engine requires a short oil pump and oil supply circuit priming procedure."

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...51166-9999.pdf

(SI B11 09 15)

[Whatsnext]

I think I will hold off about a month to change the gasket and then do an oil change at the same time. It seems logical to me to do an oil change at the same time. Should be a short 2 hour fix. I will watch the priming video.

[Whatsnext]

I replaced both gaskets yesterday so that repaired my oil filter housing gasket. I still have a valve cover leak but after watching that video not sure I am up for that challenge. This was fairly easy but the valve cover seems a bit more in depth. Anyone done the valve cover gasket?

[Billfitz]

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I did, and referenced the above video. Hardest part was actually prying the VC off itself. I use some plastic trim pic tools and slowly worked the front corner (near the OFG) and it must've taken me a full hour of working around the cover just to break it free from the head. Lastly... I don't have the part number, but go ahead and pre purchase the vent hose located on the valve cover's front right side. It's brittle as heck after my 60K and you'll most certainly snap it off.
2015 335i Msport done at 60,000
Last year

[Whatsnext]

How long did it take to replace the valve cover gasket? It seemed that my biggest leak was the oil filter housing gasket which at least is now fixed. Debating how soon I want to tackle this project.

[Randy Johnson]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext

How long did it take to replace the valve cover gasket? It seemed that my biggest leak was the oil filter housing gasket which at least is now fixed. Debating how soon I want to tackle this project.

It all depends on how quickly you can dismantle all the stuff in the way. It's not hard but lengthy. I think the shop quotes 4 hours. I did mine a couple weeks ago but rolled the gasket a couple times and took a lot of breaks. I spent a total of 5 hours. She is good to go now.