2011 X5 35i, oil mix with coolant, dealer says oil cooler leak at filter housing

[faz]

Originally Posted by pshovest

Have you checked the expansion tank for oil? How much oil can you see floating there? There is a profile gasket between the oil cooler and the oil filter housing. If this gasket fails, oil and coolant can mix also. I would change his gasket first, then the oil cooler if leak continues. This gasket will also cause a visible external oil leak.

Thanks for the feedback.

I didn't get a chance to look at the problem yet, it is in the dealership and the service advisor called and told me about it. As part of checking for the foot well heat issue, the mechanic noticed the oil and after checking things out, they suggest that it is the actual cooler that has a leak in it. Looking at the diagram of the parts, I too was wondering if the problem is just a simple gasket or not, but as per SA and mechanic involved, it is the cooler itself.

This being my wife's car and her doing 30 mile commute each way every day in it, I really want to get the issue resolved in one shot, even if it means replacing a $200 part that may or may not be faulty. Had this been a few years ago (no kids back then, more time), I would have dove in myself and did what you are suggesting.