Leaking oil filter housing

mjt · 7 Sep 2012 at 10:03

After an impromptu 'Ring trip, I noticed that the oil filter housing was rather oily and it was dripping oil onto the alternator. Only a few drops, but a bit disconcerting nonetheless.

I stupidly didn't check the state of the engine bay before 2 laps of the Ring, so could that have caused it, if the gasket was already worn?

The belt/tensioner is squealing at ~500rpm, so I guess that'll be sorted at the same time.
It's not a particularly serious issue is it?

Matt82 · 7 Sep 2012 at 10:11

what car is it and can you get a pic of the oil filter housing?

GeX · 7 Sep 2012 at 10:26

Does the filter just need nipping up slightly?

mjt · 7 Sep 2012 at 13:54

BMW Z3 with an M54

I think it might actually be the power steering fluid

You can see the drops on the alternator below.
The bolt you can see is covered in oil.

Simon · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:05

'ATF oil only'

Yeah definitely the power steering fluid reserviour. Wipe it with a cloth and it should be red/pink to confirm. The engine oil filter is on the left

Could be over filled in past or maybe a missing seal on the cap

pepsilol · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:11

Naaa OFH is way further down....

Simon · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:19

pepsilol said:
Naaa OFH is way further down....

No the lid with the hexagon on is the oil filter housing lid for the cartridge oil filter

pepsilol · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:38

Simon said:
No the lid with the hexagon on is the oil filter housing lid for the cartridge oil filter

I'm on about the leak found on the OFH , it comes from way further down.

The seal that is, look below. I've triangled the bold you're on about.

Simon · 7 Sep 2012 at 17:56

But if it is ATF then that won't matter

pepsilol · 7 Sep 2012 at 18:05

My point was it's definitely not from the OFH

Zack101 · 7 Sep 2012 at 18:57

Oil dripping on the alternator will damage it. It doesn't take long to kill it either.

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2012 at 20:11

Very common, the fluid will track down the pipe and drip onto the undertray. Alternator damage is pretty rare, I'd say more than 50% of M54 engines have a leaky power steering fliud reservoir in this way. It's either the O-Ring inside the cap - its 20 seconds to replace that and it costs a euro - or it's the jubilee clip on the pipe into the base of the reservoir. The fact you've spotted fluid on the cap rather than dripping down the pipe suggests its the o-ring in the cap.

Unless it actually IS dripping into the alternator, I wouldn't worry about it.

Simon · 7 Sep 2012 at 20:15

pepsilol said:
My point was it's definitely not from the OFH

Oil filter housin is the same height as the PS. Hence why I was confused when u said the OFH was lower

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2012 at 20:16

Simon said:
Oil filter housin is the same height as the PS. Hence why I was confused when u said the OFH was lower

He's talking about 'The OFH leak' which is another M54 foible - it occurs further down, ie, any leak caused by the 'OFH Gasket' will make itself visible further down the engine block.

Simon · 7 Sep 2012 at 21:46

I'm confused with his 1st comment to be honest. Unless he was replying someone else rather than me

pepsilol · 7 Sep 2012 at 23:00

My first comment was indeed confusing, I was purely referring to where the typical leak from the OFH originates from. Not the OFH itself but the seal.

I should have gone a bit more specific.

Tesla · 24 Oct 2012 at 11:20

I have a PAS fluid leak from underneath the reservoir. The previous owner swapped out the OEM clip for a jubilee clip but it's still (very) slowly leaking.

Is there a fix for this?

Also, what exact fluid shall I top up with?

[TW]Fox · 24 Oct 2012 at 12:01

You need to top it up with Automatic Transmission Fluid. BMW do one.

mjt · 27 Oct 2012 at 16:07

I suspect the same. Went to replace the gasket ring (€4.15!), but the old one was fine. Replaced it anyway

I was it all down but I couldn't see the colour as it was all black and grimy. I suspect it was ATF.
I've cleaned it now so we'll see where it's leaking from. I suspect it's from underneath.