50i Upper Oil Pan Gasket Leak

[NERO X]

So, when I was changing my own front diff. fluid, I noticed an engine oil leak hidden by my front reinforcement plate. Had my local BMW dealer confirm that it is an upper oil pan gasket. So, this is a lot of labor to get to and quoted me 15.5 hrs and $600 bucks in parts. ($2,660 total) I'm at 73k miles. Having a local Indie shop quote it. Anybody else have this issue with their N63 engine? Any reliable cheaper fix, like an additive that will seal? Any other pointers? I looked up the procedure and seems out of comfort level with all of the dissasembly to the front drive system.

[NERO X]

Based on zero responses, it seems that not that many have run across this issue. Lucky me! Dealer quoted $2,660, indie shop quoted $2,390; not much difference. Anybody in metro Detroit region have a recommended indie shop? I'm looking for 3rd quote. Also, can anyone recommend any other work that I should have done as preventative work since I will have the front axle/under oil sump area torn down. I'm thinking that I can save some labor if I get other typical problem areas taken care of at the same time. Maybe only parts cost since it will be most torn down already.

[wjdunn3]

Actually this is a common oil leak I believe, not only on the 5.0 but also the 3.5. There is no quick fix...certainly don't recommend any oil leak sealer additives, as those may cause other issues.

It is a labor intensive process because the while front suspension sub frame has to be dropped to be able to get the oil pan off. $2600 isn't all that bad ... i think I've seen worse here on this forum.

Just get a good indie quote that you can trust, and compare with the dealer. Good luck!

[turboawd]

How bad does it leak?

[Ozmac]

I had the same problem 2016 50 lucky still covered - dealer said big job have to drop front end ??? it took about a week - been fine ever since

[NERO X]

Originally Posted by turboawd

How bad does it leak?

It's hard to determine; it is not dripping on the ground, but the reinforcement plate is catching a lot of it and is quite coated in black dry oil. I can see wet oil though, so it is an active leak.

I was debatting how long I can go before fixing it as i can save an oil change if I wait a few thousand miles.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by NERO X

It's hard to determine; it is not dripping on the ground, but the reinforcement plate is catching a lot of it and is quite coated in black dry oil. I can see wet oil though, so it is an active leak.

I was debatting how long I can go before fixing it as i can save an oil change if I wait a few thousand miles.

I'd wait until it drips. It could be soon, or maybe never?

[pits200]

Had mine replaced around 80k miles through extended warranty. Cost was around 2600 through the dealership. If I didn't have a warranty I'd probably have let it be since the car was only using a quart of oil every 3k miles.

Good luck and yes it's a labor intensive job.

[NERO X]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to let it be for a little while; who knows, something else may go wrong in the future and I can pile on 2 for 1 labor.

[M2taz]

I just received a quote from the dealer to have the upper oil pan gasket replace on my 2017 50i for $3,500 but they were going to knock a few hundred off. It has 63k miles on it and it's more than just a small leak that I can put off. It's pouring out oil at this point! I just wanted it to last another 10k miles but think it's time to sell it now! Lesson learned!

[NERO X]

Originally Posted by M2taz

I just received a quote from the dealer to have the upper oil pan gasket replace on my 2017 50i for $3,500 but they were going to knock a few hundred off. It has 63k miles on it and it's more than just a small leak that I can put off. It's pouring out oil at this point! I just wanted it to last another 10k miles but think it's time to sell it now! Lesson learned!

I would go to a reputable indie shop; one around me quoted $2400.

[Megatr0n]

Originally Posted by NERO X

I would go to a reputable indie shop; one around me quoted $2400.

Are you close to NYC? I paid ~1,400 for the lower, upper, and oil filter housing! Keep checking around for a better price.

[NERO X]

Originally Posted by Megatr0n

Are you close to NYC? I paid ~1,400 for the lower, upper, and oil filter housing! Keep checking around for a better price.

I'm in MI; may be worth a visit the BIG APPLE for that price!

[8202632]

What causes the gasket failure? Poor materials? Design Flaw?

[adonnan]

82k on our 2017 50i, tuned stage 2. dealer reported upper oil pan leak. dealer fix $2700

Independent mechanic only saw a leak from the lower pan gasket and oil drain plug. $500 to fix.

[ahmad1985]

I was talking to this bmw tech cuz i have a very small leak too. He said I might want to go to bmw dealer and talk to them about this. Supposedly there is class action law suit regarding oil consumption and stuff on N63 engines this might be included in this. He also mention when you talk to them tell them that you car chugs oil and u have to fill it couple of times between oil changes. have not talked to them yet. If anyone does please let us know or if i get time i can mention it here.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by turboawd

I'd wait until it drips. It could be soon, or maybe never?

This. every bmw I’ve owned leaked at the oil pan. Drive them 200k+ miles all together. Never enough to drip on the ground. Never enough to make me add oil.

It’s really not worth it IMO.

[mikeson]

Originally Posted by wjdunn3

Actually this is a common oil leak I believe, not only on the 5.0 but also the 3.5. ....

3.5 doesn't have this issue. Because it doesn't have upper gasket as far as I know.

[Gocar]

Originally Posted by adonnan

82k on our 2017 50i, tuned stage 2. confirmed upper oil pan leak. dealer fix $2700

I am replacing myself in my garage and I wanna be sure if they replaced the bolts as well. It should be replaced but bmw part seller guy confirmed that I can use them again, while I am tightening them a few bolt did not meet the tightening torque specs and they were about the break, luckly I removed them and I am thinking to renew all bolts. That is why I wonder. Thanks.