M50NV Oil leak from filter housing, help needed

[jhower08]

Alright, so my car has had the slightest of leaks from my oil filter housing since I've owned it...

Then, the other night it began to leak pretty bad. Today I finally got around to checking it out and it's coming from the oil filter housing like I suspected. I just can't tell if it's coming from the oil pressure sensor, or from the back of the oil filter housing (which seems to be a common problem, either the housing warping or the gasket itself). I also read that there are two o-rings that fail over time, but from what I've gathered, that is only on the VANOS engines. Apparently, the non-VANOS engines have threaded plugs?

So, does the oil pressure sensor have a gasket/o-ring that would fail causing the leak? Or should I just go ahead and replace the entire housing itself since I'd have to pull it to replace the gasket back there and I would hate to replace it only to realize the housing was warped.

I don't know if these will help or not, but here's a few pics of what the situation looks like. (Yes, they suck, but I had to take them with my phone since I broke my digi.)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jhower08/IMG_0069.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jhower08/IMG_0067.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jhower08/IMG_0068.jpg

To me, it looks like the leak is coming from where the oil pressure sensor meet the housing...

[Binjammin]

Eew. You can try cleaning it to see where the oil's leaking from.

[jhower08]

Eew. You can try cleaning it to see where the oil's leaking from.

Haha yes, I know it's FILTHY.

I know for sure that it's at the very least, seeping some oil from the pressure sensor. I'm just not positive as to whether or not that's where its all coming from :(

[jhower08]

So I replaced the profile gasket on the pressure sensor housing; voila!

[russiankid]

Just to clear things up. The plugs with the o-rings came on earlier built models. I found out some 94's had threaded caps, but some 95's had the two o-ring setup. Both setups are fine, except the o-ring one its a bitch once the o-rings leak.

[5mall5nail5]

My oil filter housing on my former motor leaked baaaaaaaaaaaaaad

[russiankid]

I am happy to announce mine is finally leak free. Son of a bitch took a while.

It used to leak a quart every 5 minutes, making the car underivable.

[mrsander]

Hi - I have the excact same issue! - I guess the only way forward is to locate a new gasket. Thanks for good picks - mine looks the same.
How much did you take appart to change the gasket ?
Sander

[1991BMW525i]

I just fixed the leak on my M50NV filter housing as well. My leak was coming from a plug in the back of it. The o-ring was dry and brittle. While I was there I changed all the gaskets in there as well.

[russiankid]

I just fixed the leak on my M50NV filter housing as well. My leak was coming from a plug in the back of it. The o-ring was dry and brittle. While I was there I changed all the gaskets in there as well.
So the NV has the same plug as the vanos? Did yours have a clip that held it in place?

[mich555]

Yes the non vanos engine have the same set up with o-rings, me too I have a leak , i'm still fighting it