Oil leaks. Name them all

[stocktree]

So my 14 35i is leaking pretty bad. It seems wet behind the oil filter housing.
While I'm at it, I'd like to replace anything that has potential to leak.
oil filter housing gasket
Valve cover gasket
Pcv valve
Oil cooler gasket
Anything else I'd need to replace from above? Assuming my oil pan gaskets are ok?

[kdad]

Turbo hoses

[IlliniX5]

‘15 X5 35i mSport 110,000 miles zero issues. Damn happy bout that!

[yikes98]

Check your serpentine belt, I replaced it. Next on your PCV, if it is not whistling I wouldn’t bother with the PCV as I think it is integrated into the valve cover anyways, unless you just want to do the whole valve cover. I checked the PCV pressure on my N55 in my E90 at 90K with a manometer attached to the oil filler cap and everything was on the numbers after doing the valve cover gaskets. Also I replaced the vanos solenoids just because. The charge pipe as suggested by another person or wait till it fails and you’ll have a NA engine to make it home. Been there done that. Also check the head where it mates with the block way behind the oil filter housing between cyl 1, 2 and see if there is any oil seeping from the head gasket. Tricky repair but worth it while I was doing the valve cover gasket.

BTW this was all on 11’ E90 but basically the same engine. The F15 N55 still has less than 70K miles on it and looking sell that soon. Hope that helps.

[stocktree]

Originally Posted by IlliniX5

‘15 X5 35i mSport 110,000 miles zero issues. Damn happy bout that!

My 14 has almost 140k miles now. It's been trouble free for years, but then suddenly oil leaks!

[stocktree]

Originally Posted by yikes98

Check your serpentine belt, I replaced it. Next on your PCV, if it is not whistling I wouldn’t bother with the PCV as I think it is integrated into the valve cover anyways, unless you just want to do the whole valve cover. I checked the PCV pressure on my N55 in my E90 at 90K with a manometer attached to the oil filler cap and everything was on the numbers after doing the valve cover gaskets. Also I replaced the vanos solenoids just because. The charge pipe as suggested by another person or wait till it fails and you’ll have a NA engine to make it home. Been there done that. Also check the head where it mates with the block way behind the oil filter housing between cyl 1, 2 and see if there is any oil seeping from the head gasket. Tricky repair but worth it while I was doing the valve cover gasket.

BTW this was all on 11’ E90 but basically the same engine. The F15 N55 still has less than 70K miles on it and looking sell that soon. Hope that helps.

There is a plastic valve of some sort, on a smaller vacuum line, behind the alternator. I assumed it was a Pcv valve? It's wet with oil too.
Are the vanos solenoids prone to failure? Easy to change?
I haven't heard of the leaking head gasket before. Now you're scaring me. .

[yikes98]

Originally Posted by stocktree

There is a plastic valve of some sort, on a smaller vacuum line, behind the alternator. I assumed it was a Pcv valve? It's wet with oil too.
Are the vanos solenoids prone to failure? Easy to change?
I haven't heard of the leaking head gasket before. Now you're scaring me. .

Talking to the SA at the dealership where I get my parts from, happens more often than one would think. It would constantly seep oil but the fix was easier than I originally thought. I have plenty of video showing it leaking.

Solenoids are easy to change since they are up front usually covered with oil from the leaking OFH. PCV is integrated into the valve cover.

[suitedcboy]

Originally Posted by IlliniX5

‘15 X5 35i mSport 110,000 miles zero issues. Damn happy bout that!

hat is the oil service interval during those 110K miles?

[IlliniX5]

Originally Posted by suitedcboy

hat is the oil service interval during those 110K miles?

Bought it with 75k. Pretty sure previous owner went by the recommended service intervals. I change all my vehicles, and bike at 5k intervals.

[yupetc]

Front Main Seal is also a popular one after some 50k-70k miles on the single seal.

Oil pan gasket, which is a lot of work, will also become a suspect after some 75k miles.

Also if you find oil inside your intake piping, do also suspect that the valvecover's PCV system's oil trapping flange is probably saturated or not working effectively anymore. In my case, I simply replace it with a new valvecover and discovered significantly less oil appearing in the intake piping. (You'll also see more oil build-up if you tune for more boost, suction is stronger through the heated PCV connection to the intake feed)

[stocktree]

Originally Posted by yupetc

Front Main Seal is also a popular one after some 50k-70k miles on the single seal.

Oil pan gasket, which is a lot of work, will also become a suspect after some 75k miles.

Also if you find oil inside your intake piping, do also suspect that the valvecover's PCV system's oil trapping flange is probably saturated or not working effectively anymore. In my case, I simply replace it with a new valvecover and discovered significantly less oil appearing in the intake piping. (You'll also see more oil build-up if you tune for more boost, suction is stronger through the heated PCV connection to the intake feed)

It does seem like some oil has seeped out of the intake pipes.
Did you go with aftermarket valve cover? Is it necessary to replace the whole cover?

[Florida-X3]

Our 2014 35i had the oil filter canister gasket replaced and the oil pan is showing signs of a seep. No oil loss between intervals or drips on the garage floor. Going to sit tight on that one as estimate was $$$ and we are at 95k miles.

[IlliniX5]

Originally Posted by IlliniX5

‘15 X5 35i mSport 110,000 miles zero issues. Damn happy bout that!

Should have kept my mouth shut…
Changed oil today. Noticed a lot of “sludge-y” type build-up on the back side of the driver’s side brake caliper/trans-axle area. Figure the CV boot has a slow leak. Still…damn happy with this vehicle (probably just double jinxed myself.)

[Maverik259]

78k miles and pretty sure my oil pan is leaking. Good thing it’s only an $18 gasket….$50 in bolts lol. Just did my diff fluids and my stiffening plate and bottom of oil pan was soaked

[yupetc]

Originally Posted by stocktree

It does seem like some oil has seeped out of the intake pipes.
Did you go with aftermarket valve cover? Is it necessary to replace the whole cover?

Replace with OEM valvecover. aftermarket covers have their own hit-n-miss to deal with. Some will work some will break PCV right away, some simply do not have all the internal plumbing done correctly and you'd be fooled because you won't know until you gut it open to see it. I think 250-300 bucks for an aftermarket valvecover is probably the least I'd spend. I did away by using only BMW genuine valvecover because with that I sleep much better, though it's 450-500 a pop.

[XxBBVTMxX]

Unless you’re sure that something is broken, don’t throw money at it!

I would start by checking torque specs in the areas of concern. I had a little oil leak on my valve-cover, I decided to check torque specs all around and I’ve had zero leaks (original crankcase and seal, 125k) 🤷🏽‍♂️

Just a though…

[stocktree]

Replaced the oil filter housing gaskets and the valve cover gasket. Plus the oil temperature sensor next to filter was seeping a bit. Noticed some trace amounts of oil in the coolant. I should have tackled the leak earlier.
FYI, the crankcase vent is glued on to the cover. I left it alone. And reused the old valve cover.
Only thing now, is a lot of oil on the belly pans. Not sure what to do there...

[Lex2BMW]

Benz Elite in VA used pneumatic tool on drain plug... tap'd hole and installed benz plug. Couldnt make it 2500miles before low oil comes on.
Einstein in MD installed washer. Cant get oil changes at dealership anymore. Too bad i live west coast now.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Lex2BMW

Benz Elite in VA used pneumatic tool on drain plug... tap'd hole and installed benz plug. Couldnt make it 2500miles before low oil comes on.
Einstein in MD installed washer. Cant get oil changes at dealership anymore. Too bad i live west coast now.

Sad to hear but Not really what this thread is attempting to identify. Looking for high mileage leaks. Not shop f ups.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by stocktree

Only thing now, is a lot of oil on the belly pans. Not sure what to do there...

Oil Pan Gasket.

[stocktree]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

Oil Pan Gasket.

No. I meant the belly pan is soaked in oil from the other leaks. My pan appears to be drip free.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by stocktree

No. I meant the belly pan is soaked in oil from the other leaks. My pan appears to be drip free.

Oh. Mix up a bucket of simple green in hot water in a bucket and dump it over the engine. Then hose it all down after a spell. You will have washed most of it away at that point.