How to: Replace your oil filter housing gasket.

[Vinci]

I wrote this up a while ago, but forgot to start a thread.

While replacing my valve cover gasket, I noticed that I was getting an oil leak around the seal between my oil filter housing and the block. I haven't seen any documentation posted about the procedure, so I wrote some up. Hopefully someone will find it helpful.


Link is now live again. Thanks to CB750 for hosting!

How to: Replace your oil filter housing gasket.

[lightningd]

just wanted to say thanks for the write up. used 90% of it (e36) to change my gasket. apparently it was broken in one spot and hard as a brick.

[Telecomtodd]

I had a local guy do it for me and was glad I did when I learned he took about an hour cleaning up the oil and coolant mess on the floor of his shop. I smelled oil and coolant for a week after that. However it was worth it, he realized my fan clutch and tensioners were badly needing replacement and did those at the same time.

[wschwisow]

I wrote this up a while ago, but forgot to start a thread.

While replacing my valve cover gasket, I noticed that I was getting an oil leak around the seal between my oil filter housing and the block. I haven't seen any documentation posted about the procedure, so I wrote some up. Hopefully someone will find it helpful.

How to: Replace your oil filter housing gasket.

I recently did this on my E46 and didn't need to drain the oil. I did have to remove the clutch fan though. I was going to tackle it again this weekend on my daughters 1995 325is. Do i need to drain the oil for the E36? And is it doable without removing the clutch fan on this model? I hate that clutch fan!

[robb1887]

Air box and alternator only for E36 applications. No fan. You can do it without draining the oil but do it cold and expect a small mess.

Also, holy old thread bump.

[BMWBergy]

I recently did this on my E46 and didn't need to drain the oil. I did have to remove the clutch fan though. I was going to tackle it again this weekend on my daughters 1995 325is. Do i need to drain the oil for the E36? And is it doable without removing the clutch fan on this model? I hate that clutch fan!

You might be able to do it without the fan. I think just taking the belt off should give you enough clearance, but you'll still have fan blades trying to poke you.

On the oil, if you haven't run the motor in a while, your filter housing may have drained back into the pan. If NOT, and you don't open the filter housing top and drain from the pan, you could have a big mess to clean up as you peel the housing away from the block.

- - - Updated - - -

Air box and alternator only for E36 applications. No fan. You can do it without draining the oil but do it cold and expect a small mess.

Also, holy old thread bump.

Dangit, dude! You beat me by two minutes. Also, yes, thread bump, but at least it was a helpful thread... and that definitely beats a NEW thread.

[wschwisow]

Thanks for the updates. I'll check it out later today. I can't imagine getting the belt off of the alternator without having to remove the clutch fan though? But I haven't done anything on this particular car in a while. Might be remembering things incorrectly.

[QuestMCoupe]

So glad someone bumped this thread. This is something that I need to do to the Coupe soon as I've noticed it leaking a bit of oil from this area. Although it's about 3 years old, thanks for the writeup Derek!

[robb1887]

Thanks for the updates. I'll check it out later today. I can't imagine getting the belt off of the alternator without having to remove the clutch fan though? But I haven't done anything on this particular car in a while. Might be remembering things incorrectly.

Just have to release the hydraulic tensioner pully to pull the belt off. I believe its a 16mm socket that you turn it with and pull the belt off. It's very simple, an hour job if nothing goes wrong.

[aceprowler]

Awesome write-up!!

Doing this as my starter went and might as well put the M50 on 98 M3 since the S52 is coming out anyhow.

Glad I was being lazy on my M50 swap, got everything a couple months ago along with gasket for oil filter housing, but figured this would be next summers project.

Just would have really sucked doing it twice. Taking the manifold off that is. lol

Now no more oil leaking from drivers side now!! Woot!

Thanks so much!

BTW 4yr BUMP!! ;-)

[edventure]

Can you repost?

[IndianaRoadster]

You might want to consider using a Viton gasket, same material as Beison vanos seals are made of. I did this when I swapped OFH when adding an oil cooler. Should last a lot longer.

[KBH22102]

I just did this over the weekend. 178 k miles, the original gasket was very hard and brittle and cracked into pieces when I picked it out.

906C6F30-C83C-4A76-8076-A369BC91A9A6.jpg372541F9-4F31-4074-8025-B585C53DDE14.jpg904A1EE9-1F17-4D9C-AC14-11A6C0FDCE2F.jpg87799814-C186-459B-B09B-6021FCD3B446.jpg

[RedRedZ]

Unfortunately Vinci's links no longer work. I have been hoping it's temporary, but ........

[s8ilver]

You might want to consider using a Viton gasket, same material as Beison vanos seals are made of. I did this when I swapped OFH when adding an oil cooler. Should last a lot longer.

I have this job on my list. Thanks for the tip on the Viton bit; didn't know that existed.

$10 less than ECS, with free shipping:
https://www.baveuro.com/products/bmw...t-dupont-viton

[BimmerBreaker]

I have this job on my list. Thanks for the tip on the Viton bit; didn't know that existed.

$10 less than ECS, with free shipping:
https://www.baveuro.com/products/bmw...t-dupont-viton

...is that BavAuto 2.0?

[zellamay]

Getting ready to do this job. I have the oil filter housing gasket, which is all I thought I needed. (belts, pulleys are all good). But ... now after seeing Pelican write-up, I don't know whether I need "pressure relief valve o-rings". It's not clear whether that is just for 4-cyl cars, and Realoem didn't help. The write-up referenced in this thread is no longer good. I don't want to have it apart, then figure out what I need. So, what do I need?

[zellamay]

So, does an S52 have a "pressure relief valve" that I will need to buy O rings for ?

[IndianaRoadster]

So, does an S52 have a "pressure relief valve" that I will need to buy O rings for ?

I just took some pics of my old S52 OFH, I don't know if this will help or not.
20220407_221043.jpg
20220407_221051.jpg
20220407_221100.jpg
20220407_221109.jpg

[Randy Forbes]

So, does an S52 have a "pressure relief valve" that I will need to buy O rings for ?

No, just the housing base profile gasket.

[zellamay]

No, just the housing base profile gasket.

Thanks, I knew there was a simple answer out there !

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I have this job on my list. Thanks for the tip on the Viton bit; didn't know that existed.

$10 less than ECS, with free shipping:
https://www.baveuro.com/products/bmw...t-dupont-viton

Funny, when I tried to open that link, Firefox warned me that the site may contain malicious software and recommended not going further, which I heeded.

[IndianaRoadster]

Funny, when I tried to open that link, Firefox warned me that the site may contain malicious software and recommended not going further, which I heeded.

Here you go.
Screenshot_20220409-172951_Chrome.jpg

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Here you go.

Thanks. 'seems worth it.

[zellamay]

Damn, one more thing to think about. I've got the standard seal in my hand, now wondering whether Vita would be worth it. It will take me 15+ years to put 100k on the car, thus wearing out another standard seal, so I'm thinking .... no. On the other hand, $40 doesn't really matter in the big picture................