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Cost of replacing oil pan gasket?

I am now certain that my 2001 BMW X5 3.0i has an oil leak in the oil pan gasket. So , I need to get this fixed...

Three questions for you:

1. Anyone know about how much it costs to have the gasket replaced using the normal/BMW recommended procedure of lifting the engine, etc..?

2. Has anyone actually replaced the oil pan gasket using the "gasket cutting + gasket maker/sealer" technique on a E53 BMW X5 3.0i?

3. Anyone know a good Indy that could do this job (using either of the above techniques) in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area?

Thanks.

1) Dealership estimate was $1837
2) Not me
3) I've had excellent work done by Autoscope on Denton Drive in Dallas - Ask for Carson.

2002 X5 3.0 264,450 miles
2004 325i 116,500 miles

1) $1485 (Dealership Quote 5 years ago)
2) Heard of it.... could possibly work. I just couldn't imagine everyone choosing this method to be successful.
3) Nope

And to think...The gasket only costs $25...

I recently ran into a good friend from high school and he still has his very well maintained 2007 328 with the same 3.0 engine as my X. I think he has just a little over 100,000 miles. He recently had to have his oil pan gasket replaced and he wouldn't say how much but he was pretty upset about the bill from the dealer so I'm sure $1,800ish would be about right.

I've done it on my previous e46 which shares the same engine.
Had to do it twice because I smudged RTV on the first time.
Took 8hrs first time, 5hrs second time.
Judging from rwd vs awd, I'm guessing will take roughly 10hrs as there are more stuff to drop.

Just make sure it's your oil pan gasket, I thought mine was also leaking but it was the oil filter housing gasket. Cost roughly $30 to fix with a new oil filter.

This is what I wrote on other forum. Mind you it's for e46, but very similar to e53.

Quote:

Originally Posted by white46

So did it 2nd time and start to finish took about 5 hrs. Became easy job. lol
1. jack up the car
2. remove front wheels
3. remove belly pan
4. drain engine oil
5. remove airbox
6. remove fan
7. remove 2 belts
8. remove dipstick guide tube -> 1x13mm, disconnect clips and pull hard from top
9. undo either top or botton engine mount nuts -> 1x16mm each side.
10. undo PS pump -> don't have to completely removed, just let it hang with some bungee cord. 3x13mm bolts
11. install engine support bar
12. remove steering coupler -> 2xtorx bots. E10 socket. Insert key into ignition so you can rotate steering. Need Loctite when reinstall.
13. undo FCAB -> 2x16mm each side, install tq at 42ft-lb
14. undo swaybar nuts -> 4x14 or 13mm
15. undo oil level sensor wire
16. remove as much oil pan bolts you can see -> total 21x10mm, 3xtorx E10 socket
17. place jack under subframe
18. undo subframe and land it onto the jack -> 4x18mm, install tq at 81ft-lb
19. remove remaining oil pan bolts
20. lower jack and remove oil pan towards back of the car.
21. clean up
22. apply RTV on 4 corners of engine (timing cover and end cover). If you've done VCG, you will see where to apply RTV.
23. reinstall oil pan with new gasket. -> having extra hand is big + here.
24. reinstall everything back
25. after assemble is completed, give it few hours for RTV to seat properly.
26. fill up engine oil and start her up
27. cross your finger and hope new gasket is good. :D

While I was working on it, realized 2 mistakes I've made previously which lead to oil leak.
1. smudge RTV
2. I didn't let RTV to cure.
1st time, I was just happy to finish and as soon as I was done, started her up to see there were any oil leaks. Gave no time for RTV to cure.
This time after everything were assembled back, I gave it full 24hrs to cure, and NO MORE LEAK!
God, I don't have to deal with this anymore. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_James (Post 1013520)

Just make sure it's your oil pan gasket, I thought mine was also leaking but it was the oil filter housing gasket. Cost roughly $30 to fix with a new oil filter.

Wow, either your mechanic must work really cheap, or your part dealer must have rip you off. The gasket is about 6 to 8 bucks and the book time is about 4 hours. You must remove the fan blade, and the alternator in order to remove the OFH.

He could have done it himself. On my M54 I can get the fan and alt out in about 15 minutes. I am going to tackle the OFH gasket when it gets delivered sometime next week.

#1. In 95% of the cases, what appears to be oil pan gasket leak is in fact OFH gasket leak, which by itself is much more common.

OFH Gasket is $6 at BMW dealer. Do NOT use aftermarket brand!

I have the same issues, and I have narrowed it down to OFH gasket area.
E39 DIY for my 1998 528i that I wrote a while back:

1998 528I Oil Filter Housing Gasket & “Freeze Plugs” Repair (E39) - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

#2. Oil pan gasket using cutting + RTV patch works great in E39 forum:

Replaced oil pan gasket - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums