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      12-05-2016, 07:36 PM   #1
greg2step
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Oil filter housing gastket leak - to fix or not fix

I had my BMW at the service center getting the water pump replaced under extended warranty. They identified a small oil leak in the Oil Filter Housing gasket and want $1000 to fix it.

I didn't even know it was leaking, but I did have to add a full quart about 4 month ago - it was down about 1/3 of a quart before the recent service (got full oil change so is ok for now). its loosing about a quart every 4-6 months which is minor but could well get worse.

depending on what happens w/ my headlight issue, i'd like to keep this X3 another year or so. how important is this to fix? risks of not fixing it?

Thanks

Greg
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      12-06-2016, 02:24 AM   #2
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Do you have a BMW CPO warranty? If yes then the oil filter housing should be covered. I had mine fixed recently under CPO. BMW changed the gasket material so the new gasket should not leak again once repaired. I think it is low risk if you don't get it fixed if only seeping but if it starts dripping down on the belts below it could cause them to slip. Again, I'm 100% sure it is covered under CPO
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      12-06-2016, 06:57 AM   #3
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no i am original owner - i have extended powertrain warranty it covered the water pump but not this leak
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      12-06-2016, 07:08 AM   #4
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If you plan on keeping for a while I would then monitor it. I would rinse mine clean with Brakeclean (green can) and see how long it took to get covered with oil. If it gets mucked up fast then you might want to have it fixed. Find a good independent as $1000 is way too much to pay.
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      12-06-2016, 06:15 PM   #5
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If you can, check to see if the leak has gotten on any of your hoses nearby. I was told the oil can compromise the hoses if left alone long enough, leading to an even pricier fix later down the line. I had a minor leak there too (evidently it isn't uncommon) but was not very severe as I didn't lose much oil. It did however get on some hoses that needed to be replaced.
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      12-06-2016, 07:20 PM   #6
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Fix it. It's not going to get better, only worse. It will progress from wet, to a seep, to a leak. You'll never see an oil spot on the garage/driveway, as any drips will be caught by the underbody aerodynamic panels. As it progresses, oil residue will be getting on belts and hoses.

The oil filter housing gasket leak is one of the "blessings" of owning a 35i.
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      12-06-2016, 09:28 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02420X3 View Post
Fix it. It's not going to get better, only worse. It will progress from wet, to a seep, to a leak. You'll never see an oil spot on the garage/driveway, as any drips will be caught by the underbody aerodynamic panels. As it progresses, oil residue will be getting on belts and hoses.

The oil filter housing gasket leak is one of the "blessings" of owning a 35i.
Long term I agree - depends on how long i plan on keeping this X3 however.

any idea how much an indy shop should charge to do this repair? $1011 was the BMW service center quote- ugh
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      12-06-2016, 09:33 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02420X3 View Post
Fix it. It's not going to get better, only worse. It will progress from wet, to a seep, to a leak. You'll never see an oil spot on the garage/driveway, as any drips will be caught by the underbody aerodynamic panels. As it progresses, oil residue will be getting on belts and hoses.

The oil filter housing gasket leak is one of the "blessings" of owning a 35i.
any other blessings i should know about as my35i gets older? I'm aware of the water pump all too well
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      12-07-2016, 06:08 AM   #9
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The other "blessing" that comes to mind is the thermostat module. It doesn't seem to be as common as the water pump and the oil filter housing gasket, but it does pop up fro. Time to time.
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      12-07-2016, 06:45 AM   #10
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From what i have read seems like most people who replaced thermostat ended up replacing water pump days later as that was the real issue.

I love my X3, its great to drive, but its showing its age, and rather expensive for anything that breaks. I have a decision to make in 2017. not there yet.
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      12-10-2016, 06:23 PM   #11
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Definitely fix it.

No one should be surprised the 35i versions of these cars are expensive to own. It's the 335 engine and the maintenance needs/costs are well documented all over the internet.

Things all N55 owners need to replace:

-Valve Cover Gasket
-Oil Filter Housing Gasket
-Waterpump & Thermostat
-over 75k do a walnut blast
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      12-10-2016, 06:57 PM   #12
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i realize long term if i keep this X3 i need to fix it. the decision may be more about fix it or trade it in sometime next year. doesn't seem to require immediate attention though.
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      01-22-2018, 12:54 PM   #13
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never fixed it - starting to get worse - ~13000 later since this post haven't ruled out fixing it, but its far more likely I am trading it in next 2-3 months
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      01-22-2018, 01:48 PM   #14
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I did the oil filter base gasket on my E90. it was easy nor did I have to remove the intake.

might be a bit more involve if you have oil heat exchanger on the turboed engines.
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      01-22-2018, 05:57 PM   #15
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1000 bux....... they gotta cover that water pump somehow. You could drive that car to me, pay me 200 bux to change the gaskets then buy my family a steak dinner and pocket the remaining 500. A total of 6 bolts to do this job.
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      01-22-2018, 10:09 PM   #16
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Oil filter housing leak on our 2011 X3 35i, bought new, was repaired under warranty but the oil leak had washed the lubricant out of the belt tensioner bearing which failed a week later (SCRREEEEECH!) but was also covered by warranty, but inconvenient.
I'd get it fixed.
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      01-27-2018, 09:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 96_Impreza View Post
Oil filter housing leak on our 2011 X3 35i, bought new, was repaired under warranty but the oil leak had washed the lubricant out of the belt tensioner bearing which failed a week later (SCRREEEEECH!) but was also covered by warranty, but inconvenient.
I'd get it fixed.
It sounds like somebody sprayed degreaser all over there. :-)
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      02-03-2018, 10:18 AM   #18
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If you can turn a wrench, these are fairly easy to diy. did mine. similar to yours, was a very minor leak. did the oil cooler/heat exchanger gasket as well while i was in there. intake manifold needed to be moved out just a little bit though.
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      02-03-2018, 11:25 AM   #19
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Fix it. The N52 and N55's all will need Oil Filter Housing, Oil Cooler, and Valve Cover gaskets at some point after ~60,000. I just did all 3 on our 2013 at 76k.

Fluids (diffs and transfer case) are next.
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      02-07-2018, 07:35 AM   #20
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Fix it. It is easy. I replaced mine on my n52, you do not even have to mess with the intake manifold, just use and angle socket adapter for the bottom bolt of the housing.
Take off the hoses to the oil cooler. You will lose some oil and coolant in the process and will also need to make sure not to contaminate the lines when you open the system. But the job will only take about an hr to remove, clean and replace & it only takes a simple socket set and screwed driver.
I also need to do my trans pan and fluid and both diffs. Transfer case was done by me but you need to lift the vehicle for that and support the trans and remove the trans support bracket to access the single drain/fill plug on my transfer case, I think it’s model L50 instead L45 case.
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      02-07-2018, 08:13 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marc x View Post
Fix it. It is easy. I replaced mine on my n52, you do not even have to mess with the intake manifold, just use and angle socket adapter for the bottom bolt of the housing.
Take off the hoses to the oil cooler. You will lose some oil and coolant in the process and will also need to make sure not to contaminate the lines when you open the system. But the job will only take about an hr to remove, clean and replace & it only takes a simple socket set and screwed driver.
I also need to do my trans pan and fluid and both diffs. Transfer case was done by me but you need to lift the vehicle for that and support the trans and remove the trans support bracket to access the single drain/fill plug on my transfer case, I think it’s model L50 instead L45 case.
Intake manifold must be moved out of the way on the N55. There is no other way to do it. You are correct on the N52. You can replace the seal without moving the intake manifold.
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      02-12-2018, 11:37 PM   #22
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now i may fix it. at 71,200 going in for service tomorrow - airbag recall letter came a few months ago - i need oil change. I was going to trade in my X3 on a 2018 or competion, but now I 'm thinking i am gonna cheap it. I shopped one indy shop, was more than my my BMW service center by about $100 to fix it, and BMW will give me free loaner.

I am going to have them do full vehicle scope to see if anything else showing as needing in next 10000 miles before final decision.
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