Oil Around Drain Plug 15 M3

[robertg]

While changing my oil Friday I noticed there was oil around the drain plug.
Wiped it it off and continued with oil change. Decided to check this morning, on the ramps I see a little oil again around the drain bolt.

Any one else experience this? Is this an indicator of a oil pan gasket going bad? Or maybe a turbo leaking?

I have Geico MBI so my concern is not great but looks to need fixing.

Any help would be appreciated.

[gatorfast]

Did you replace the crush washer last oil change?

[robertg]

Yes, when ordering from getBmwParts you pay for a new drain bolt with crush washer. Mine is a 07/14 build with the magnesium drain pan.

Weird, I have done all the oil changes other than the free maintenance ones and this is the first I am seeing of oil around the drain plug.

[gatorfast]

I would keep an eye on it but doesnt sound like its anything to worry about at the moment. If its only around the bolt and not actually leaking onto the ground it must be an extremely small leak/seal problem.

[robertg]

Took it into dealer. Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket needed to be replaced. Price close to $2400 parts and labor. Insane.

Geico MBI took care of it.

[jmciver]

What was the mileage on your car? I am curious to know when I need to watch out for when the OFHG will start to fail on the S55.

Many BMW engines share the same basic oil filter housing design and it is not uncommon for that gasket to start leaking at the 60-70k mile mark (sometimes even sooner). I just DIY'ed that job on my son's 128i with N51 engine.

[richf80]

Originally Posted by robertg

While changing my oil Friday I noticed there was oil around the drain plug.
Wiped it it off and continued with oil change. Decided to check this morning, on the ramps I see a little oil again around the drain bolt.

Any one else experience this? Is this an indicator of a oil pan gasket going bad? Or maybe a turbo leaking?

I have Geico MBI so my concern is not great but looks to need fixing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Was there oil around the oil filter housing?

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by jmciver

What was the mileage on your car? I am curious to know when I need to watch out for when the OFHG will start to fail on the S55.

Many BMW engines share the same basic oil filter housing design and it is not uncommon for that gasket to start leaking at the 60-70k mile mark (sometimes even sooner). I just DIY'ed that job on my son's 128i with N51 engine.

What did it cost you in parts? PITA to do? Just seeing what I might need to prep myself for at some point. TIA

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

What did it cost you in parts? PITA to do? Just seeing what I might need to prep myself for at some point. TIA

For the N51/N52 engine it was just the cost of the gasket, which can be had for $10-$20 depending on which brand and where you buy it. Not a real PITA to do, just takes 2-3 hrs or so and requires various 1/4" & 3/8" extensions and universal joints to get to the mounting bolts, and of course E-torx sockets and E-torx ratchet wrenches for the bolts (E10 was the main size for this engine IIRC). Just search "BMW N52 OFHG DIY" (or something similar) and tons of info will come up.

Looking at the S55, the process appears to be very similar based on the basic engine design and layout. Cost of parts will be a bit more (2 gaskets, vice just one for the N51/N52), but still easily under $50 or so. More "stuff" needs to be removed before you can actually get to the OFHG though so the job will most likely take longer depending on your experience level. I have not seen an actual DIY for the S55, but have seen some for the N55 which is very similar. Here is a Youtube video I found for the N55 after a quick search: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF5VONWqM0I

[karlskry]

I have a tiny amount of oil dripping when I park my car overnight-2015 m3 w 45k. I have an appointment with service Wednesday. Reaaaally hoping it's just the drain plug itself.

[robertg]

Total parts were $192 for all the gaskets and associated o rings plus the brake parts cleaner.

I didn't see any oil around the lower half of the housing, only the resultant oil by the drain plug. Which led me to believe that it could be the oil pan.

I did notice my car seemed to be burning more oil than normal.
Talked to the tech and he said there was oil around the front part of the engine. But you would need to take parts off to see, so they cleaned that up as part of the repair.

My car has 52,500 miles.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by robertg

Total parts were $192 for all the gaskets and associated o rings plus the brake parts cleaner.

I didn't see any oil around the lower half of the housing, only the resultant oil by the drain plug. Which led me to believe that it could be the oil pan.

I did notice my car seemed to be burning more oil than normal.
Talked to the tech and he said there was oil around the front part of the engine. But you would need to take parts off to see, so they cleaned that up as part of the repair.

My car has 52,500 miles.

Wow, $192 seems a bit steep for two gaskets and some additional hardware, even for genuine BMW parts from a dealer. I would be curious to see what actual parts need to be replaced in addition to the two gaskets on the oil filter housing. Bimmerworld currently sells an oil filter housing repair kit for the N55/S55 for $86.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Engine/B...th-cooler.html

It included the two gaskets, three new mounting bolts, two new plugs and a new pressure switch. Not sure replacing the hardware and pressure switch is absolutely necessary, but for the price (and time to do the repair) it is probably one of those good things to do while you are in there.

[robertg]

Part Number Part Description Parts Total: $ 192.44
PKN55OFH N55 OIL FILTER HOUSE
BM83-19-2-451-315 BMW NON-CHLOR. BRAK
BM11-42-7-540-759 ASA-BOLT
BM11-42-8-683-168 O-RING
BM11-42-8-637-820 GASKET
BM11-42-8-637-821 GASKET
BM11-61-7-547-242 SET OF PROFILE GASK
BM17-22-7-800-958 O-RING
BM11-42-7-540-763 ASA-BOLT
BM83-21-2-449-994 BMW GROUP LL-01 FE
BM82-14-1-467-704 ANTIFREEZE
BM17-22-8-604-345 O-RING