N62 4.8 Oil Thermostat Gasket Leak (2007 X5)

[manners]

just wondering if people actually just purchased the gasket or the actual new unit.

but i wonder if the unit is just a metal part (no component to break)

gasket only cost less than $20 and the part is over $100

[rbryantaz]

Originally Posted by manners

just wondering if people actually just purchased the gasket or the actual new unit.

but i wonder if the unit is just a metal part (no component to break)

gasket only cost less than $20 and the part is over $100

You can replace just the gasket, I haven't heard of the termostat being a failure point.

The Mahle gasket is a Fluoroelastomer(viton) gasket which is better than the stock/oem material so I recommend that... The E70 part number for the one with the oil cooler is: B32856

I bought one from rockauto for under $4. The job is a pain but it is doable on an e70 4.8i without dropping the subframe. It is an easier job than the valve cover gaskets...

-Rich

[Gretel]

For anyone planning to replace the oil thermostat gasket, don't do what I did. I removed two of the three bolts holding the thermostat to the block (the top bolt and the lower/front bolt). Then I removed the T45 bolt holding the oil lines to the thermostat. When I tried to pull the lines out of the thermostat, the thermostat cracked around the third bolt (lower/rear). So if you plan to remove the lines from the thermostat, do it while all 3 bolts are still holding the thermostat to the block. That aluminum casting around the lower/rear bolt is pretty fragile apparently. So now I am buying a good, used thermostat. As if the job wasn't a pain enough, lol.
James