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Thread: Oil pan gasket is leaking: worth replacing it?

  1. #1
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    Oil pan gasket is leaking: worth replacing it?

    Was doing oil change today and noticed oil on my engine (the seam where engine block meets oil pan). it goes along the gasket between engine block and oil pan.

    now, I believ this must be a very expensive job to get it replaced so my questions are:

    1. should I replace it now if in 10K miles since the last oil change, I did not have to add oil once (i.e. the leak must be very minimal)?
    2. if the problem gets worse, wouldnt I get some "warning" from the car, like "add 1 quart of oil" too often?
    3. is there DIY, or an estimate this can take a mechanic to replace?
    4. can the problem be different than oil pan gasket? I mean something else is leaking and it drops on the block/oil pan seam?
    Last edited by Georgere; 08-12-2012 at 12:13 AM.

  2. #2
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    According to the Bentley manual, after an oil change there is an accumulation of oil that blows out of the cap. Thus, it can run down the sides and hint a VC leak and such. I noticed this on my car when performing the 100k service. Also stated is the easily contaminated coil packs that fail. The coil packs closest to oil cap had oil in the valley where the plugs were. I believe this is where oil may have accumulated and ran down the side of the engine onto the front differential. While checking in the front diff. , it was full.
    These motors may blow some oil out of the cap making it look like the VC IS LEAKING. ?

    Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

  3. #3
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    E90's do not have an oil pan gasket. The pan is bolted to the block dry and there is a groove that a special sealer is forced into to create the seal. It is not likely that it is leaking. Best bet is to clean everything off and recheck. Are you sure that the valve cover doesn't have any broken bolts?

    97 M3ti, 03 Jetta 1.8t

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by autoxerwgn View Post
    Are you sure that the valve cover doesn't have any broken bolts?
    how do I check for this?

  5. #5
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    I recall that there is a fluid that one adds to the oil. Any leaks can be seen by using a 'black light'. And see where it is coming from...
    Resident Octogenarian and teaching five grandchildren about safety and shooting.

    Sent from my keyboard using hunt and tap...

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by autoxerwgn View Post
    E90's do not have an oil pan gasket. The pan is bolted to the block dry and there is a groove that a special sealer is forced into to create the seal. It is not likely that it is leaking. Best bet is to clean everything off and recheck. Are you sure that the valve cover doesn't have any broken bolts?
    your wrong. the lower portion of the block has this-which is NOT the oil pan. The oil pan does have a gasket with a bunch of aluminum bolts which hold it on. It can and does leak. Verify the valve cover gasket isnt leaking, and verify the oil filter housing gasket isnt leak-if they arent-replace the oil pan gasket...though its not a simply job as you need to lift the engine to be able to get the pan out.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by turbovrGTI View Post
    verify the oil filter housing gasket isnt leak-
    According to my dealer the oil filter housing is leaking. However, the housing is on the other side (driver side) where the pan-engine seam that I see damped with oil is on the right pass side. How was oil able to get there from the opposite side of the motor?

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by turbovrGTI View Post
    your wrong. the lower portion of the block has this-which is NOT the oil pan. The oil pan does have a gasket with a bunch of aluminum bolts which hold it on. It can and does leak. Verify the valve cover gasket isnt leaking, and verify the oil filter housing gasket isnt leak-if they arent-replace the oil pan gasket...though its not a simply job as you need to lift the engine to be able to get the pan out.
    My mistake, it's been a while since I've had the reinforcement plate off of one of these cars. I bet it's more the aluminum bolts loosening up, than it is the gasket itself.

    As far as the leak, the oil filter housing leaks all of the time, and it's pretty easy to replace. It could just be running down the block and around, making it look like the oil pan is leaking. You could replace the OFHG and clean things off and recheck it.

    97 M3ti, 03 Jetta 1.8t

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by autoxerwgn View Post
    E90's do not have an oil pan gasket. The pan is bolted to the block dry and there is a groove that a special sealer is forced into to create the seal. It is not likely that it is leaking. Best bet is to clean everything off and recheck. Are you sure that the valve cover doesn't have any broken bolts?
    You have no idea what you are talking about.

    https://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW-3...shoppingengine

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by chicaneS54 View Post
    You have no idea what you are talking about.
    Nice. Way to crap on a dude for an error he admitted SIX YEARS AGO. Feel better now?
    Are you gonna eat that?

  11. #11
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    You have an oil pan gasket have a local BMW independent garage lift the car and look that way you get all the facts

  12. #12
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    Hello All - Great Thread!!! Thanks so much.

    2011 - 328xi Sedan @ 95k Miles.

    I have owned the car for 4+ years since 42k miles.

    My goal is to keep the car for another 4-5 years bringing the total mileage to 130k-140k.

    During the past 12 months & 10k miles I have spent a small fortune ($6k-$7k) fixing/repairing/replacing:

    - Both Rear Wheel Bearings
    - Coil Pack
    - Valve Cover Gasket
    - Oil Pan Gasket
    - Oil Filter Housing Gasket
    - Headlamp Washers
    - SERP Belt & Tensioner
    - Water Pump & Thermostat
    - Valvetronic & Eccentric Shaft Seals

    Will the pain end or slow down over the next 4-5 years and 30k - 40k - 50k more miles?

  13. #13
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    Sure, if you starting DIYing it.
    Are you gonna eat that?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
    Sure, if you starting DIYing it.
    Thank you for providing immense value to this thread.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by ryangambrill View Post
    Hello All - Great Thread!!! Thanks so much.

    2011 - 328xi Sedan @ 95k Miles.

    I have owned the car for 4+ years since 42k miles.

    My goal is to keep the car for another 4-5 years bringing the total mileage to 130k-140k.

    During the past 12 months & 10k miles I have spent a small fortune ($6k-$7k) fixing/repairing/replacing:

    - Both Rear Wheel Bearings
    - Coil Pack
    - Valve Cover Gasket
    - Oil Pan Gasket
    - Oil Filter Housing Gasket
    - Headlamp Washers
    - SERP Belt & Tensioner
    - Water Pump & Thermostat
    - Valvetronic & Eccentric Shaft Seals

    Will the pain end or slow down over the next 4-5 years and 30k - 40k - 50k more miles?
    Quote Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
    Sure, if you starting DIYing it.
    Quote Originally Posted by ryangambrill View Post
    Thank you for providing immense value to this thread.
    Are you going to the dealer, or using an independent BMW specialist? An indy will probably save you 30-40%. As for DIYing it, it will save you a considerable amount on your repairs. The parts for your listed repairs probably total $500-$700. These are fairly easy DIY projects with a good Bentley manual and a couple hundred dollars in tools.

    - Coil Packs (took me 10 minutes to do a whole set on my X5 a couple weeks ago)
    - Valve Cover Gasket (2 hours)
    - Oil Filter Housing Gasket (1 hour)
    - Headlamp Washers (not sure, but I pulled my X5 front bumper off in less than 10 minutes and swapped out PDC sensors)
    - SERP Belt & Tensioner (30 minutes)
    - Water Pump & Thermostat (2 hours, but it'll make a mess)
    - Valvetronic & Eccentric Shaft Seals (no idea, but give yourself a few hours)
    Last edited by The Beastmaster; 03-15-2019 at 11:31 PM.

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