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Thread: E46 325xi massive oil leak

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    paradise, PA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 325xi

    Exclamation E46 325xi massive oil leak

    Last week my e46 started dripping oil slpwly So, noticed small spots in my driveway and couldn't figure out where it was coming from so I'd top it off. Yesterday while I was at work it decided to start dripping and by the time I got done work there was at least a quart on the ground under my car and the inside of my engine bay under the intake manifold was covered in oil.

    After removing the usual parts and getting down to the oil filter housing I could see that the highest point of the oil leak was around the oil filter housing and the CCV was completely dry along with it's hoses and the vanos oil line so I know it wasn't those. About a month ago I replaced the oil filter housing gasket and torqued the housing down to 16ft-lbs as multiple forums stated was the correct torque. Anyone have any idea in what my issue is?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,005
    My Cars
    04 ZHP, 83 320i, 00 M5
    Use brake Kleen clean up all the oil then monitor. If leaking at oil filter housing gasket replace it. What brand gasket and sealant did you use?
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    paradise, PA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 325xi
    I used the OEM BMW gasket that I ordered from ECStuning. I did not however use a sealant, the forums I've followed didn't mention anything about using a sealant so maybe this could be my issue? What kind of sealant is recommended?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    paradise, PA
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    7
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 325xi
    Figured out the problem, after tightening everything back to spec, bolt #2 won't tighten passed 4ft-lbs, it just spins in the housing which would definitely cause the leak �� anyone have any ideas in what I should do next? I've heard there are several ways to solve this issue with tapping in new bolts but I need a good forum to follow

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Thread insert or replace the stand

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,931
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    There are 2 products on the market that can be used to fix your problem. One is called Time Sert. I don’t recall the other product’s name. One is superior to the other. Search this forum for “time sert” or “timesert.” Jssssh, I need more coffee.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    935
    My Cars
    LS E46
    Helicoil is the other one. They really only work well if you drill and tap the new hole dead on perpindicular to the surface. Pretty much no one has this ability, so a keensert or a timesert are your best options here.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    paradise, PA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 325xi
    I ended up drilling out the hole, then using an M10 1.25 tap to put new threads. Cleaned up the aluminum pieces off the block then used an M8 to M10 helicoil insert then put a line of permatex ultra black along the outside of the gasket and got the bolt to factory torque. Going to put the car back together today, hope everything goes well

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,931
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    You’d better change the oil and filter ASAP as there are metal shavings in the sump!!!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    paradise, PA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2003 BMW 325xi
    Yes oil was changed after job, also covered the holes before I did the job. I did every precaution I could to be sure no metal shavings got into those holes. No more leak around the OFHG however now my cap (torqued to spec on cap, O-ring properly seated in slot) has a leak, it's minor but I bought a new cap and O-ring because someone mentioned about an updated cap and am going to install it tomorrow, if it still leaks then I'm just replacing the whole housing and calling it a day lol.

    My e46 is a 2003 with 105,000 miles

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