Engine oil leak possibilities
 

I have an 06 3.0 and a new oil leak. I know very little about these engines and what the common leaks are. Can anyone tell from the pictures what may be leaking? The location is low on the drivers side.

Oil filter housing gasket.

It's about a 4 hour job, not too hard if you read up on it before you tackle it.

You don't mean the o ring at the top of the filter right? It looks dry around the filter area as far as I can tell.

No, the gasket underneath the oil filter housing.

You have to remove the alternator and a few other things to access it. Takes about 4 hours if you know your way around the 3L engine. It's not a hard job by any means.

DIY - Your Oil filter housing gasket is leaking.

Here is a good DIY on the OFHG.

OK thanks. Kinda strange it is related to coolant housing.

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If you're doing the OFHG I would inspect CCV at the same time as well as the PS reservoir for leaks or cracks.

5 dollar part, 4 hours of work

OK, I assume CCV is crank case valve? How much is that? Maybe I should order that at the same time as the gasket.

^Get part# on RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog and put into Furiousmethod.com - BMW Parts Price Comparison to compare price.

Ditto that. OFHG, CCV, and PS lines/reservoir were all 'age' related leaks fixed in mine by the selling dealer pre-purchase in October 2013 [2/06 birthdate]

Part nos to look for, 06 3.0:
PS lines: 32 41 095 526, 32 41 6 767 136
OCHG: 11 42 1 719 855
CCV stuff: 11 61 1 432 559, and 11 61 7: 501 566, 504 535, 504 536 [trap, separator, trap top, return]

You have about 114k miles right Riggo? I think it is age related as well as mileage for a lot of those leaks, I have 71k on my '03 and no PS, OFHG, or CCV issues to note as of yet.

However probably within the next year I'll be doing those 3 systems preventatively as the age of my vehicle (9/2003 birthday) worries me with any type of gaskets.

I know you guys are the experts with these cars but it is very dry under the filter and the area around it. It starts to look oily near the dipstick tube. There are two hard lines just above the dipstick tube also which are wet too. I don't know if those are related to the ps or not.

Only 86k on mine; the leaks were fixed when I bought it at 81k miles. I suspect age related, as mine was in excellent condition otherwise.

@Ricky Bobby: I have 71k on my '03 and no PS, OFHG, or CCV issues to note as of yet.

However probably within the next year I'll be doing those 3 systems preventatively as the age of my vehicle (9/2003 birthday) worries me with any type of gaskets.[/QUOTE]

My CCV triggered the SES light (thankfully) at 154,000 miles before any oil sucking problem developed. I had not been aware of that component as a service item. At least here in the Texas heat, we don't have as many instances of the condensation plus freezing conditions that result in the CCV failures, and I do have a 60 mile daily commute. With your location further North though, I'd sure be jumping on that service soon.

2002 X5 3.0 246,400 miles
2004 325i 110,000 miles

My CCV triggered the SES light (thankfully) at 154,000 miles before any oil sucking problem developed. I had not been aware of that component as a service item. At least here in the Texas heat, we don't have as many instances of the condensation plus freezing conditions that result in the CCV failures, and I do have a 60 mile daily commute. With your location further North though, I'd sure be jumping on that service soon.

2002 X5 3.0 246,400 miles
2004 325i 110,000 miles[/QUOTE]


Thanks for the input, will definitely make it a priority. I just changed the oil over the weekend and the oil cap looks good which is good to know, my commute is about 20 miles highway driving which is basically just on the cusp of keeping moisture at bay. I avoid short trips in the cold, but understand I'm definitely on borrowed time with the CCV.

Is there an E53 write up on this? Link was an E90.