Oil change gone wrong... how to clean the mess?

Gizm0 · 07-23-2013, 10:25 AM

Last night, I did an oil change, and didn't tighten the oil filter enough, so the o-ring popped out and sprayed over a quart of oil all over the inside of the engine... I already wiped out a lot of it, but it's still a mess in there. See pics below.

What sucks is that I just installed the BMS DCI last week, and now they're all fucked. I hope the air filter degreaser will clean them well

What's the best way to clean that mess? Dish soap and steam washer?

330iE90spt · 07-23-2013, 10:39 AM

This happened to me when I did my first oil change in the spring. The seal ring didn't look too bad so I didn't replace it... bad idea. Oil came spewing out of the sides of the cap and went all over the place when I started the car after I was done. Replaced the seal ring with the new one and I was good. Cleaned up the spill with a hose and a rag. If the oil is caked on i'd use a degreaser and then hose it all off.

Gizm0 · 07-23-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330iE90spt

This happened to me when I did my first oil change in the spring. The seal ring didn't look too bad so I didn't replace it... bad idea. Oil came spewing out of the sides of the cap and went all over the place when I started the car after I was done. Replaced the seal ring with the new one and I was good. Cleaned up the spill with a hose and a rag. If the oil is caked on i'd use a degreaser and then hose it all off.

Did you cover up the alternator when you hosed the engine bay?

330iE90spt · 07-23-2013, 11:56 AM

I didn't, but I was careful with hosing down everything. Throw a towel over it just to be safe. I didn't have a nozzle at the end of the hose. I just guided the hose where I wanted the water to go. Stay away from your alternator, any exposed filters, electrical connections, and just wipe everything down good. Make sure engine is cold when you do this.

Gizm0 · 07-23-2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330iE90spt

I didn't, but I was careful with hosing down everything. Throw a towel over it just to be safe. I didn't have a nozzle at the end of the hose. I just guided the hose where I wanted the water to go. Stay away from your alternator, any exposed filters, electrical connections, and just wipe everything down good. Make sure engine is cold when you do this.

Thanks for the help man, I squirted the whole engine bay with a spray bottle and dish soap, loosened up the dirt with a brush and washed it off with a hose. Came out looking really good. Now I just need to wash my cone filters...

07-24-2013, 01:23 AM

Wrap cone filters in plastic and cover alternator in aluminum foil
P21S Cleaner spray around let it soak and hose down.

The oil filter comes with 2 o rings and a copper rush washer for a reason, they are to be replaced after each oil change.

Gizm0 · 07-24-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by index1489

Wrap cone filters in plastic and cover alternator in aluminum foil
P21S Cleaner spray around let it soak and hose down.

The oil filter comes with 2 o rings and a copper crush washer for a reason, they are to be replaced after each oil change.

I removed the cone filters and just put some plastic bag over the intake tubes and taped them before the wash, so I can have better access to the mess. I didn't cover the alternator and everything was fine.

The copper washer is for the oil pan plug I believe.

07-24-2013, 02:01 PM

Yes its for the oil pan, but its included with a new oil filter.

06E90Rostik · 07-25-2013, 01:54 PM

Just use any quality degreaser, P21S Total Auto Wash gets my vote.

Spray on, agitate with a brush, hose off and dry. Blow-drying is usually better since it can dry places that pat drying wont reach.

This will also clean up your engine bay and make t better than it was before the accident

ghostdog1108 · 07-25-2013, 10:06 PM

A little off topic but I ordered a new oil filter for my N55 engine (Bosch) and it came with the large O ring, filter, and brass crush washer but not the small O ring.
After reading this perhaps I should return rather than re-using the small O ring.
Thoughts?

Gizm0 · 07-26-2013, 12:04 PM

What do you mean by return? It's a pretty straightforward job... if you tighten the filter enough off course

DIY here=> http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44590

ghostdog1108 · 07-26-2013, 06:59 PM

I mean there was no replacement, small 'O' ring with the new oil filter.

thecadman99 · 07-28-2013, 02:00 PM

You might also consider cleaning your MAF with CRC MAF cleaner- just in case the oil made it through your filter on to your MAF.

07-23-2013, 10:25 AM	#1
Gizm0 Colonel 445 Rep 2,136 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	Oil change gone wrong... how to clean the mess? Last night, I did an oil change, and didn't tighten the oil filter enough, so the o-ring popped out and sprayed over a quart of oil all over the inside of the engine... I already wiped out a lot of it, but it's still a mess in there. See pics below. What sucks is that I just installed the BMS DCI last week, and now they're all fucked. I hope the air filter degreaser will clean them well What's the best way to clean that mess? Dish soap and steam washer? __________________ JB4 G5 w/ Backend flash - Walbro 450lpfp - VRSF DPs - VRSF 5" stepped IC - DCI - ER CP w/ Tial BOV - 335is clutch
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07-23-2013, 10:39 AM	#2
330iE90spt Private First Class 7 Rep 113 Posts Drives: '06 330i Tiag Sdn Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: S. Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	This happened to me when I did my first oil change in the spring. The seal ring didn't look too bad so I didn't replace it... bad idea. Oil came spewing out of the sides of the cap and went all over the place when I started the car after I was done. Replaced the seal ring with the new one and I was good. Cleaned up the spill with a hose and a rag. If the oil is caked on i'd use a degreaser and then hose it all off.
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07-23-2013, 11:56 AM	#4
330iE90spt Private First Class 7 Rep 113 Posts Drives: '06 330i Tiag Sdn Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: S. Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	I didn't, but I was careful with hosing down everything. Throw a towel over it just to be safe. I didn't have a nozzle at the end of the hose. I just guided the hose where I wanted the water to go. Stay away from your alternator, any exposed filters, electrical connections, and just wipe everything down good. Make sure engine is cold when you do this.
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07-24-2013, 01:23 AM	#6
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Wrap cone filters in plastic and cover alternator in aluminum foil P21S Cleaner spray around let it soak and hose down. The oil filter comes with 2 o rings and a copper rush washer for a reason, they are to be replaced after each oil change.
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07-24-2013, 02:01 PM	#8
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Yes its for the oil pan, but its included with a new oil filter.
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07-25-2013, 01:54 PM	#9
06E90Rostik 2006 join date crew 196 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2011 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA, Sacramento iTrader: (10) Garage List 2011 335i [10.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	Just use any quality degreaser, P21S Total Auto Wash gets my vote. Spray on, agitate with a brush, hose off and dry. Blow-drying is usually better since it can dry places that pat drying wont reach. This will also clean up your engine bay and make t better than it was before the accident
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07-25-2013, 10:06 PM	#10
ghostdog1108 Private 53 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2023 X4 M40i CARBON BLACK Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, WI iTrader: (0)	A little off topic but I ordered a new oil filter for my N55 engine (Bosch) and it came with the large O ring, filter, and brass crush washer but not the small O ring. After reading this perhaps I should return rather than re-using the small O ring. Thoughts?
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07-26-2013, 12:04 PM	#11
Gizm0 Colonel 445 Rep 2,136 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	What do you mean by return? It's a pretty straightforward job... if you tighten the filter enough off course DIY here=> http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44590 __________________ JB4 G5 w/ Backend flash - Walbro 450lpfp - VRSF DPs - VRSF 5" stepped IC - DCI - ER CP w/ Tial BOV - 335is clutch
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07-26-2013, 06:59 PM	#12
ghostdog1108 Private 53 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2023 X4 M40i CARBON BLACK Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Altoona, WI iTrader: (0)	I mean there was no replacement, small 'O' ring with the new oil filter.
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07-28-2013, 02:00 PM	#13
thecadman99 Lieutenant 57 Rep 450 Posts Drives: e90 330i 6mt spt bk/bk Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	You might also consider cleaning your MAF with CRC MAF cleaner- just in case the oil made it through your filter on to your MAF. __________________ 06 330i 6mt Spt- Eibach Springs, BMW Perf Susp, Supersprint Exhaust, BSW Audio RIP-94 325i 5mt 4d- M3 springs/susp, Z3 wheels, Chipped, Intake, Exhaust= FUN!
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