Recent DIY oil change... PA or AL... What the heck does this mean?

[Dackelone]

So... last week I was changing the oil on my 135i like I always do... but when I opened the BMW dealer bought oil filter I saw this funny diagram that I hadn't the faintest idea what it was trying to tell me. I mean, I knew it meant to be carefull for the direction you install the oil filter cartridge... but I had no idea what PA or AL meant?

I had asked a few car (BMW)buddies... and one of them knew(Thanks Thomas E!!). But most didn't. I thought I would pose the question to you guys and see how many of you knew of this curious BMW direction thing when it comes to oil changes. IF you want to know the answer... just click on the PDF - it should be obvious.

Anyways... here are some pics...











Here is an old photo from one of my DIY oil changes... you can see on the oil fliter box the "directions" were not there. Its only onthe new parts/filters...







Open and Read the PDF bellow, for the answer to the PA or AL and the filters orientation on install...

[Dackelone]

For all you DIY's out there... here are some nice oil change tools that have changed my life under the car. On the 135i that belly pan is a PITA to deal with. I use one of these green form-a-funnels and that way I don't have to remove the belly pan or deal with old oil shooting up inside the belly pan.

I also discovered this super strong magnetic oil drain tool. It might sound kind of gimicky but it really does save your fingers from getting burnt when you remove a hot oil drain plug/screw.

I also really LOVE my Dimple oil drain screw. The magnets they use are really quite strong and you can see that fine matalic dust that it oulls out of my engine. Pricey but works really well.

Please lets not turn this thread into what kind of oil you use. I just wanted to post the oil that I find to work really well in my 135i.

Dackel









oil plug coated in a fine metalic dust...


here I tried to wipe some of the deposits away to show you guys...


all cleaned up ready for reinstall...



OTC (5911) Drain Plug Pro Magnetic Drain Plug Remover $8...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

FORM-A-FUNNEL Flexible Draining Tool - Truck & Tractor 6 by14 inch funnel... $13...
https://www.amazon.com/FORM-FUNNEL-F...Bflexible&th=1


www.drainplugmagnets.com

[ianc]

Well, it's clear to me that if you live in Pennsylvania, you have to have the little doofingley on the bottom, but if you happen to reside in Alabama, you should leave it out altogether.

Umm... Maybe I'll read the PDF... ;-)

In ref to your form-a-funnel, I use an empty plastic quart (or liter, if you swing that way) oil bottle with the top, bottom and one side cut away. You can then ram this up into the oil drain plug access hole in the belly pan with the cutout side facing the plug. This directs the oil down into your drain pan with no mess, and best of all, it's free! I'm all about free...

I do like that mag drain plug remover tho; might have to get me one of those cuz, you know, I just don't have enough tools. ;-)

ianc

[ayao]

I use the OTC 5911 tool as well. It's one of those things that look kind of superfluous (read: First World Problems) but once you use it you wonder why it was ever considered acceptable to burn your hands on hot oil ...

[m_thompson]

So, which models get plastic oil filter housings?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

So, which models get plastic oil filter housings?

I think it's mostly MINI and some of the smaller 3 cylinder engines in the 1er/3er's over here in Europe. Maybe also the new B-series engines(?) but a quick Google search didn't really show me any plastic OFH's.

All of our N-series(N51,N52, N54, N55) engines have a metal oil filter housing(AL in the diagram). Only the filter housing cap is plastic.

My 135i N54 oil filter housing...

[Iron Man]

It looks like the diagram is showing where to install a ADBV(anti drain back valve) (or not, depending on PA or AL), which I thought were integral on our cars to the oil filter housing. So, it would appear some cars (i.e. PA), have a separate ADBV that must properly be installed with the filter? Our cars all fall under AL, where the ADBV is integral to the housing and not needed.

P.S. Sorry, missed the comment on seeing the .pdf, which confirms my answer above.

[Stubbie Blue]

Is that oil the same as Castrol Edge 0W-40 European Formula that we get in the US?

Here is a link to Amazon, but I bought mine from Wal-Mart for $23. http://a.co/5kN4Iuu

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Stubbie Blue

Is that oil the same as Castrol Edge 0W-40 European Formula that we get in the US?

Here is a link to Amazon, but I bought mine from Wal-Mart for $23. http://a.co/5kN4Iuu

No, I don't think so. The Castrol oil I use is made in Germany. One five liter jug sells for 99 euros in most stores. I found a place that discounts it for 44 euros for five liters.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

No, I don't think so. The Castrol oil I use is made in Germany. One five liter jug sells for 99 euros in most stores. I found a place that discounts it for 44 euros for five liters.

99 euros for 5 liters?! It's 22 USD for one of those jugs in the US!

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

No, I don't think so. The Castrol oil I use is made in Germany. One five liter jug sells for 99 euros in most stores. I found a place that discounts it for 44 euros for five liters.

I have some of that oil here in the US. It is either made in Germany (1 qt containers) or Belgium (5 qt)

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff

99 euros for 5 liters?! It's 22 USD for one of those jugs in the US!

Oils, like Gasoline are heavily taxed over here in Germany. Its quite comon to see a liter of oil for selling anywhere from 20 to 35 euros!! Btw... a liter of SuperPlus 98 octane is going for around 1.50 euro. That's 5.68 euros or $6.24 per gallon!

Here is what the typical oil and prices at my local hardware store(OBI) looks like. Oil sold at a gas station will be substantially more expensive. Also BMW oil at a dealer runs about 32 euros per liter. Thats why a oil change at a dealership runs about 360 euros(7@32 euros per liter of oil, 120 euros for one hour's labor and 14 euros for an oil filter).

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

It looks like the diagram is showing where to install a ADBV(anti drain back valve) (or not, depending on PA or AL), which I thought were integral on our cars to the oil filter housing. So, it would appear some cars (i.e. PA), have a separate ADBV that must properly be installed with the filter? Our cars all fall under AL, where the ADBV is integral to the housing and not needed.

P.S. Sorry, missed the comment on seeing the .pdf, which confirms my answer above.

I still do not understand HOW there can be a right and wrong way to install the cartridge oil filter on a 135i. Here is what the BMW OE oil filter looks like. The filter will go onto the filter cap both ways. And the inside of the OFH does not seem to be a right or wrong way.

Maybe on a newer BMW or MINI there is a right and wrong way to install the filter... but I really do not see how it is the car on any 135i.

OE filter cartridge from BMW...

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Oils like Gasoline are heavily taxed over here in Germany. Its quite comon to see a liter of oil for selling anywhere from 20 to 35 euros!! Btw... a liter of SuperPlus 98 octane is going for around 1.50 euro. That's 5.68 euros or $6.24 per gallon!

Here is what the typical oil and prices at my local hardware store(OBI) looks like. Oil sold at a gas station will be substantially more expensive. Also BMW oil at a dealer runs about 32 euros per liter. Thats why a oil change at a dealership runs about 360 euros(7@32 euros per liter of oil, 120 euros for one hour's labor and 14 euros for an oil filter).

Ouch!

[juld0zer]

All correct.
The HU816 element used in the metal housings can be fitted in either direction.

The plastic oil filter housings used on N series engines are subject to a campaign where they are replaced with the metal ones. If your car has rarely seen a dealership for service then it might be wise to open the hood and see what housing you have. The majority of engines were produced with a metal housing. Plastic housings can be identified by the completely black upper and lower section. It was a poor experiment by BMW (why reinvent the wheel?) which resulted in a lot of mess when the oil filter housing seals failed or the plastic casting around the seals fractured, both resulting in an oil/coolant milkshake.

We mainly saw the plastic housings on N20s and a handful of N55s of the same era, so basically the late model ones fitted to F series cars.

The plastic housings used on the new B engines are so far so good, despite early FWD models requiring complete replacement of the oil filter/cooler module. Oil service on a B engine is annoying. RWD engines have the filter all the way towards the firewall. FWD engines dribble oil everywhere if you are not careful to protect the surrounding components near the filter. You cannot install a B engine filter the wrong way.

NB: Im yet to see that new part number being distributed at our shop. The 'old' BMW part number ending in 327 is the one we still have stock of. They never had that info on the box. I initially thought they sold you a filter kit for a plastic housing N20 engine because I've only seen the warning on those boxes - never on the filter kits for metal housings.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

NB: I'm yet to see that new part number being distributed at our shop. The 'old' BMW part number ending in 327 is the one we still have stock of. They never had that info on the box. I initially thought they sold you a filter kit for a plastic housing N20 engine because I've only seen the warning on those boxes - never on the filter kits for metal housings.

Thanks for posting your insight & thoughts as a tech. Maybe I got the newer filter bc I'm over here in Germany. IDK.

When I looked up a oil filter on RealOEM.com it shows that the old 327 filter ended in October 2016 and the 196 filter is now the new superseded part.


BMW oil-filter element p/n 11427566327 --> 11428683196

I ordered my filter from Leebmann24.de and at first, I tried to order the old 327 filter but it is no longer available to order. You can only order the 196 filter.

https://www.leebmann24.de/satz-oelfi...428683196.html

Thanks,
Dackel

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I still do not understand HOW there can be a right and wrong way to install the cartridge oil filter on a 135i. Here is what the BMW OE oil filter looks like. The filter will go onto the filter cap both ways. And the inside of the OFH does not seem to be a right or wrong way.

Maybe on a newer BMW or MINI there is a right and wrong way to install the filter... but I really do not see how it is the car on any 135i.

OE filter cartridge from BMW...
Attachment 1621636

Attachment 1621637

Attachment 1621638

Yes, as juldozer posted, there is no wrong way to install the HU816X on our cars. It is only on the cars that need the ADBV added. The ADBV must be installed in a certain direction of course to prevent oil backflow and dry starts.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I have some of that oil here in the US. It is either made in Germany (1 qt containers) or Belgium (5 qt)

I noticed they have been changing the manufacturing location on the 0W-40 formula. It went from Belgium to Germany, than back to Belgium. According to Castrol insiders on BITOG, the formula is the same at both factories, so it does not make a difference where you get it. The 0W-40 is still their best formula with a high PAO content, that Castrol produces.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I noticed they have been changing the manufacturing location on the 0W-40 formula. It went from Belgium to Germany, than back to Belgium. According to Castrol insiders on BITOG, the formula is the same at both factories, so it does not make a difference where you get it. The 0W-40 is still there best formula with a high PAO content, that Castrol produces.

Good to hear as I bought 2 oil changes worth when I found it at a good price.

[juld0zer]

There is no valve on the plastic housing filter. It is just a white silicone seal on the bottom that looks like a toilet plunger. The inner bowl casting of the plastic housing is different but it's been a while since I've had the pleasure of working on one so i dont recall the exact variances. All i can say is if you use a metal housing filter in a plastic housing, you're going to have a very bad day.
The big gasket for the plastic housing cap is thicker than the metal housing gasket. You can imagine the carnage that occurs when you fire it up!

[Dackelone]

juld0zer
Iron Man

So... I had to buy some radiator hoses for my e39 this week. I decided to also pickup another oil filter for my 135i - and see what they would bring me. They looked up the filter via the ETK... and they gave me the old filter #327... but to my surprise when I opened it up... it has this same PA AL warning inside! lol

Both new and old filters are identical.







I do find it strange that while my local dealer still sells the old filters, the online BMW dealer www.leebmann24.de (Where I buy my small stuff/orders from)only sells the newer filter #196.

Dack

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

juld0zer
Iron Man

So... I had to buy some radiator hoses for my e39 this week. I decided to also pickup another oil filter for my 135i - and see what they would bring me. They looked up the filter via the ETK... and they gave me the old filter #327... but to my surprise when I opened it up... it has this same PA AL warning inside! lol

Both new and old filters are identical.
Attachment 1625471

Attachment 1625472

Attachment 1625473


I do find it strange that while my local dealer still sells the old filters, the online BMW dealer www.leebmann24.de (Where I buy my small stuff/orders from)only sells the newer filter #196.

Dack

I wonder why the change in part number, since as you mentioned, they look identical. Doesn't seem like they changed a thing.