FIXED!! Dipstick tube leaking on bottom??
 

:(:( Noticed a spot of oil under my X today after I got home, crawled underneath to check, and found the bottom of the oil pan had some oil on it, enough not to be able to tell where it was coming from. SIMPLE GREEN'ed it and hosed it off and went for a spin. Came back, checked it out again, and from what I can see, there is some oil seeping around the bottom of the dipstick tube, right where it connects to the oil pan. Is there a gasket in there that might be bad? Looks like it just bolts together with one bolt.

Edit: Found this on realoem.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Maybe new o-ring time? Why is there no part # for #13? Any DIYs available for this?

You got to be careful pulling on the Dip stick..........They pull out.

So the dipstick tube is just tightly fitted into the casing at the bottom? No bolt holding them together?

It looks like it my be held in place by 15, 18, and just a tight fit.

No bolt holding them together, but mounting bolts are on the tube that hold it in place. Your seal probably failed. Replace it and you should be good to go.

Thanks fellows, gettin' my o-ring ordered today. Looks like it might be a tight fit to get to the mounting bolt, but not impossible. I'll update once I got it done.

I did this job on my 4.4 N62. the design is slightly different than yours, but looking at the realoem link you have provided, the fastening of the dipstick tube is pretty much the same. Now by saying, that, I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news. Here is why:

In order to replace that pesky O-ring (item #14), you have to not only remove the dipstick, but also the oil pan (first you have to drain the oil).
Item #13 is a thick alu washer that squeezes the O-ring tight.

To remove the nylock # 16 (10mm as far as I can remember), you need a short stubby 10mm wrench or a short stubby ratchet - the space is very tight. Before you do that, you need to study the layout: You have either visual, but cannot work - small hands are awesome, and you will work by feel only. Once you remove nylock #16, you can pull the dipstick out: careful to NOT lose the holding plate #15 & squeeze washer #13.
Now, with the dipstick out AND the oil pan dropped, you need a good source of light. First you will struggle to take off that O-ring wedged in a groove - careful to not scratch the surface. Then, you need to fit the new O-ring in the groove. The only way I could do that, was by inserting it from the bottom - up. If you don't take the oil pan off, you don't see where the O-ring seats, it took me numerous tries to have it in the correct spot. Once it's in, you can then place the washer in the upper groove, then carefully insert the dipstick. Then install the locking plate and snug the nylock. Then fasten the dipstick with the 10mm bolt (#18). Then tighten the nylock (#16).
Now replace the old oil pan gasket with a new one and install the oil pan. Then put back the stiffening plate etc and refill with oil.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ce-all-13.html

There is a epic thread started last year on a 4.6 that has all the actual photos you need to see the dip stick travels and mounting points. Follow the photos and you can see how many bends, mounting points, and the actual how it is mounted into the pan. Hope this helps track down your leaking tube seal.

Thanks for the info!! :thumbup: Will help lots! I was afraid it was gonna be a bit of a pickle to get to and change. Are you saying the o-ring stays in the casing after you pull the tube out, or is there a groove on the tube that it is seated in. I was hoping it would be on the tube, to make things a bit easier.


Yes, I remember the thread, but didn't think of checkin' out his pics. 'Preciate you bumping it back to me...

In my case (N62), the groove was in the casing, the dipstick tube is flush. Not sure about yours, but I believe it's similar judging by the realoem sketch.

Got it, thanks..!

Got my o-ring from ECS yesterday. I'm due an oil change in about 2K miles, so think I'll hold off on replacing till then.

You will also need a new lower oil pan gasket. Also, be careful when you take off the oil level sensor.

'Preciate the heads up! Will get it ordered...

Just thot I'd update. Changed the o-ring about a week ago, when I changed oil. No leaks since, no more nasty oil drops in the garage!! :thumbup:

Just give it time, there will be others...lol!

So true with these beasts. I thought I had mine all licked. Silly me, got jinxed by the rear main seal.

I always expect them, so I'm never surprised, lol...

So true and with all cars...no wonder all parking spots seem to always have oil drip spots in the front.