Leaks on leaks on leaks...

[..]

Purchased my 08' 135i in December of last year with 40k miles.
Noticed it was slightly moddifed.

After going FBO and doing an oil change my tech notifies me I have oil leaks coming from FOUR different locations:

1) Rear Main Seals
2) Valve Cover Gasket
3) Oil pan Gasket
4) Oil O-Ring

Currently at 49k miles.



Just thought I share my rant.

[brusk]

Valve cover gasket and Oil filter housing are known issues on these cars. Seems like low mileage for a rear main and have yet to hear about any oil pans leaking. Possibly get a the first two fixed clean the engine real good and see if it's really leaking from the other two.

[Spoolin Montego]

My oil filter housing and oil pan are also leaking. Been leaking for last 15k miles. Talked to my indy mechanic and he said long as it not too much no worries really so i've just left them. Looks ugly under my engine but who cares lol..Don't notice any oil on my driveway either.

[Dackelone]

What does: 4) Oil O-Ring mean? Where is the leak> ?


I bet you could get the valve cover gasket covered under the federal emission warranty. You would just need a failed emission certificate from your state. Then have your dealer fix it for free. A leaking VCG causes vacuum leaks and hence will fail an emissions test.

[..]

Originally Posted by brusk

Valve cover gasket and Oil filter housing are known issues on these cars. Seems like low mileage for a rear main and have yet to hear about any oil pans leaking. Possibly get a the first two fixed clean the engine real good and see if it's really leaking from the other two.

Great advice, I'll try that first and take it from there.

I also upgraded to the RB PCV valve and Screw on cap.

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

My oil filter housing and oil pan are also leaking. Been leaking for last 15k miles. Talked to my indy mechanic and he said long as it not too much no worries really so i've just left them. Looks ugly under my engine but who cares lol..Don't notice any oil on my driveway either.

Same here! Nothing that reaches the floor, but I would sleep better at night knowing there aren't any leaks.

Yesterday morning I received the Low Engine Oil indictator which I then opened my hood to notice oil all over the engine bay. Mostly sitting on top of the oil cooler housing, and spots on the charge pipe, alternator, and belt.

My oil was at the minimum level

Here is the picture:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What does: 4) Oil O-Ring mean? Where is the leak> ?


I bet you could get the valve cover gasket covered under the federal emission warranty. You would just need a failed emission certificate from your state. Then have your dealer fix it for free. A leaking VCG causes vacuum leaks and hence will fail an emissions test.

The oil o-ring can be seen here with the filter:

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

The oil o-ring can be seen here with the filter:

^^Those oil o-rings should be replaced at every oil change! So thats no big deal. Just change them at your next oil change.

[brusk]

I thought the major oil leaks on the oil filter housing were either from the housing to the head or housing to the oil cooler plate. The oil filter rings typically aren't a problem if they are replaced every oil change. Either way all of those oil filter housing gaskets are easy and fairly cheap.

[e36addict]

I'd replace the oil filter housing gaskets and valve cover gasket first.. rear mains never leak, and oil pan is less common on the 54 motor. Do what was mentioned above and clean real good, I bet you'll be good

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by e36addict

I'd replace the oil filter housing gaskets and valve cover gasket first.. rear mains never leak, and oil pan is less common on the 54 motor. Do what was mentioned above and clean real good, I bet you'll be good

IDK... I have seen a lot of guys posting about a slipping clutch due to a leaking rear main seal. Plus there have been numerous 1M's with bad rear main seals.

A few N54 cars have had a weird fluttering noise on falling revs from 2,500 rpms... due to a bad rear main seal. It does not leak, but somehow it causes a weird noise - only on "some" cars.


Dack

[..]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

IDK... I have seen a lot of guys posting about a slipping clutch due to a leaking rear main seal. Plus there have been numerous 1M's with bad rear main seals.

A few N54 cars have had a weird fluttering noise on falling revs from 2,500 rpms... due to a bad rear main seal. It does not leak, but somehow it causes a weird noise - only on "some" cars.


Dack

That's funny because a friend of mine and I were trying to figure out what this fluttering noise is as the revs fall. We immediately dismissed the idea of it being a waste gate rattle because the sound is coming from the rear of the car not the front like it would with a waste gate rattle. Also, I have had the waste gate rattle in my old 1er so I am already familiar with that sound. So now it seems it might be associated with the rear main seal. Interesting, first time I ever heard this before.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

That's funny because a friend of mine and I were trying to figure out what this fluttering noise is as the revs fall. We immediately dismissed the idea of it being a waste gate rattle because the sound is coming from the rear of the car not the front like it would with a waste gate rattle. Also, I have had the waste gate rattle in my old 1er so I am already familiar with that sound. So now it seems it might be associated with the rear main seal. Interesting, first time I ever heard this before.

My car does it too. Only after you drive the car for +45 minutes and only as the revs fall in the 2,500 to 1,500 range. It really does not bother me enough to mess around with it. I figure when I replace my clutch one day I will also replace that rear main seal.

I think someone posted before that the seal design was changed. The inner spring around the inside of the seal was the culprit.

Dack

[..]

Anyone know the best place to order these gaskets?

ECS, FCPeuro, getbmwparts, or straight from the dealer?

[..]

Update:

The oil o-ring did not the leak. Seems to be the oil filter housing gasket. The gasket is cheap, $16 from BMW however based on what I read it's 3hrs of labor to change it. Any truth to this?

[justanothrone]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

Update:

The oil o-ring did not the leak. Seems to be the oil filter housing gasket. The gasket is cheap, $16 from BMW however based on what I read it's 3hrs of labor to change it. Any truth to this?

I would get your intake valves walnut blasted and replace the OFHG at the same time. You will save a lot on labor.

[..]

Originally Posted by justanothrgi

I would get your intake valves walnut blasted and replace the OFHG at the same time. You will save a lot on labor.

What does OFHG stand for?

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

What does OFHG stand for?

Oil Filter Housing Gasket.

[..]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Oil Filter Housing Gasket.

Thank you.

Would there be a strong possibility of the entire housing having to be replaced?

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

Thank you.

Would there be a strong possibility of the entire housing having to be replaced?

I've never heard of that. The gasket deforms, but the actual housing?

[..]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

I've never heard of that. The gasket deforms, but the actual housing?

Neither have I, was just asking

[..]

Hey guys a final update:

Brought my car to a shop that actually specializes in the N54 motor.

They determined that all the visible oil leaks were coming from ONE spot and that was the... oil filter housing gasket!

While they were in there I had them give me intake valves a walnut blasting

Saved me $1,000 easily!

[edisapimp]

Nice! Glad it worked out well! Sometimes that oil makes things look much messier than they really are. Sounds like a good shop, keep that business card on your refrigerator!

[..]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

Nice! Glad it worked out well! Sometimes that oil makes things look much messier than they really are. Sounds like a good shop, keep that business card on your refrigerator!

Most definitely!

Everything cost me $490. I was very pleased