N55 Oil leak source help

TalShiar · 01-01-2020, 01:20 PM

I have oil spraying around the front driver side engine area. The leak has increased recently and I put a liter and a half of oil in over a week.

I did the first oil change on my CPO car 6 months ago and noticed the person who last changed the oil had 2 gaskets on the cap. Figured they weren’t paying attention and forgot they didn’t take the old one off. So I pulled both off and installed the new o-ring.

Are any of you running 2 o-rings on the cap to prevent oil leaks?

Doing some research I see the N55 has some possibly oil leak issues
1) oil filter housing
2) valve cover
3) PCV

Before spending time and money replacing the wrong part how can I tell where the leak is originating. Photos attached

khj24 · 01-01-2020, 01:31 PM

If you're leaking that much it's probably the cap itself isn't on enough or something is up with your o rings. There's a big one and a small one you need. With it being that substantial(spraying) it should be quite obvious with the hood open and the engine running.

MineralF30 · 01-01-2020, 03:53 PM

Looks like it is coming from the oil filter housing cap or the housing gasket itself

Polo08816 · 01-01-2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MineralF30

Looks like it is coming from the oil filter housing cap or the housing gasket itself

It has to be a REALLY bad housing gasket then. Most of those just leak and drip over time.

F32Fleet · 01-01-2020, 06:10 PM

Clean up the oil as best you can and look for leaks/seepagr as you have someone rev the engine.

Orion4 · 01-02-2020, 07:35 AM

I guess its possible the 2 o-rings, when the cap was tightened, deformed or cracked the cap and now that one is correctly installed the oil is blowing by the o-ring. Looks like too much oil in short period of time the be the OFHG gaskets, but never say never.

oma3710 · 01-02-2020, 07:55 AM

oil filter housing gasket. I had the exact same issue.

Polo08816 · 01-02-2020, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion4

I guess its possible the 2 o-rings, when the cap was tightened, deformed or cracked the cap and now that one is correctly installed the oil is blowing by the o-ring. Looks like too much oil in short period of time the be the OFHG gaskets, but never say never.

So the other possibility is that the gasket is leaking but not "spurting". I'm wondering if the oil spray is due to air flow through the engine bay as he is driving on the highway.

torkles · 01-03-2020, 12:46 PM

It's probably spraying around because it's dripping onto the belt underneath the housing.

Tpriest7893 · 01-03-2020, 10:03 PM

My valve cover is leaking right now and bmw is the one that saw it and it was leaking all around the engine bay around the cover on the left side towards back of engine. Nothing around the intake or anything. Idk if this will help you! I'm at 79k and this just happens but I'm getting it replaced under warranty

01-01-2020, 01:20 PM	#1
TalShiar New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: California iTrader: (0)	N55 Oil leak source help I have oil spraying around the front driver side engine area. The leak has increased recently and I put a liter and a half of oil in over a week. I did the first oil change on my CPO car 6 months ago and noticed the person who last changed the oil had 2 gaskets on the cap. Figured they weren’t paying attention and forgot they didn’t take the old one off. So I pulled both off and installed the new o-ring. Are any of you running 2 o-rings on the cap to prevent oil leaks? Doing some research I see the N55 has some possibly oil leak issues 1) oil filter housing 2) valve cover 3) PCV Before spending time and money replacing the wrong part how can I tell where the leak is originating. Photos attached Attached Images
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01-01-2020, 01:31 PM	#2
khj24 Lieutenant 221 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 2015 m235i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: 713 iTrader: (3)	If you're leaking that much it's probably the cap itself isn't on enough or something is up with your o rings. There's a big one and a small one you need. With it being that substantial(spraying) it should be quite obvious with the hood open and the engine running.
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01-01-2020, 03:53 PM	#3
MineralF30 Private First Class 61 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Looks like it is coming from the oil filter housing cap or the housing gasket itself
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01-01-2020, 06:10 PM	#5
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3570 Rep 10,351 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Clean up the oil as best you can and look for leaks/seepagr as you have someone rev the engine. __________________ "Drive more, worry less. " 435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
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01-02-2020, 07:35 AM	#6
Orion4 Lieutenant Colonel 481 Rep 1,572 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Line Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (0)	I guess its possible the 2 o-rings, when the cap was tightened, deformed or cracked the cap and now that one is correctly installed the oil is blowing by the o-ring. Looks like too much oil in short period of time the be the OFHG gaskets, but never say never.
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01-02-2020, 07:55 AM	#7
oma3710 Major 195 Rep 1,282 Posts Drives: ? Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Simpsonville, SC iTrader: (1)	oil filter housing gasket. I had the exact same issue. __________________ __________________ SOLD! X5 35i sdrive- JB4 SOLD! 435i- Cary Jordan E30 Tune~ Dinan Turbo~ BM3 trans tune~ XDI-35~ 3.5 T-map sensor~ VRSF HD FMIC~ VRSF Chargepipe~ VRSF Catless Downpipe~ CTS Intake~ FTP boost pipe~ FTP intake inlet~ FTP oil catch can~ Turbosmart dual bov~
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01-03-2020, 12:46 PM	#9
torkles First Lieutenant 198 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 2013 335i MSport 6mt Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	It's probably spraying around because it's dripping onto the belt underneath the housing. __________________ 2013 335i M-Sport 6MT, MPE, VRSF CP and IC, BM3 Stage 1 2006 330i 6MT, Sport Package - sold
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01-03-2020, 10:03 PM	#10
Tpriest7893 Captain 215 Rep 819 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i f30 N55 ( sold) Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Venice Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2012 bmw 335 [0.00] 02 2002 m3 Vert [0.00]	My valve cover is leaking right now and bmw is the one that saw it and it was leaking all around the engine bay around the cover on the left side towards back of engine. Nothing around the intake or anything. Idk if this will help you! I'm at 79k and this just happens but I'm getting it replaced under warranty __________________ 2012 bmw 335i sedan VRSF catless DP VRSF 5? HD IC Stock intake(had open before and was sick of noise) BMS CP 550i 351m rims with 275/245 set up. No tune as of yet.
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