[mbjg0788]

I have a 2008 328xi. I was told by the dealer that my oil filter gasket and valve cover gasket are leaking. I cannot see any signs of any leaks. There is no oil on the ground nor is there oil near the oil filter housing. I am debating on whether to get it fixed or try Lucas Oil leaks additive. The dealer wants almost $2000 to repair the gaskets. I also wanted my trans fluid changed. The car has 103,000 miles on it. The dealer wanted $386 to change the fluid. I also have considered finding an "indy" mechanic to do the work, but there are only three in my area. I am not a bad DIYer but the job looks like it is a pita. What are your thoughts on: leaving the car as is until I see oil leaking; doing the jobs myself; getting an "indy" mechanic to do the work; using the Lucas additive. Thank you.
John

[CTinline-six]

Don't use the Lucas additive. Any "sealing" additive will likely cause more issues for you down the road.

If you can turn a wrench, the oil filter housing gasket is a simple job. It's three bolts, and takes maybe a bit longer than an oil change to do. I'd look up on youtube how to change it, the gasket is under $20. It may not be dripping yet, but it is important to change it before it does. A leaking oil filter housing gasket can cause oil to drip on the belts, which causes the belt to derail. Belt derailment on this engine can lead to it getting sucked behind the front crank seal and causing expensive damage.

The valve cover gasket is a bit more involved, but still doable in a couple hours. Do you smell any oil burning? I had a cracked valve cover on my 328i and it would drip oil on the cat converters, causing smoke and burning oil smell inside the car.

[Joebie]

I agree with CT above me, but I'd argue that the valve cover gasket is more than just a couple hours for the first timer. Its not hard, its just annoying and time consuming.

If you do find an indy to do the work I bet they'd charge something around half of what the dealer quoted you for that work.

Please dont add any oil stop leak product, just fix it the right way and be good for another 10 years and 100k miles!

[tcphoto]

I’d avoid the additive and not touch the VCG or OFHG until you see discoloring around those areas. My dealership gave me the same recommendation eighteen months ago for $2300 when the airbag recall was performed. I looked it over and found no residue and like my previous E46 I’ll DIY when it’s needed. If you don’t want to DIY the transmission fluid, I’d have an Indy do it for much less than the dealer unless you prefer the dealers snacks and coffee.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by mbjg0788

I have a 2008 328xi. I was told by the dealer that my oil filter gasket and valve cover gasket are leaking. I cannot see any signs of any leaks. There is no oil on the ground nor is there oil near the oil filter housing. I am debating on whether to get it fixed or try Lucas Oil leaks additive. The dealer wants almost $2000 to repair the gaskets. I also wanted my trans fluid changed. The car has 103,000 miles on it. The dealer wanted $386 to change the fluid. I also have considered finding an "indy" mechanic to do the work, but there are only three in my area. I am not a bad DIYer but the job looks like it is a pita. What are your thoughts on: leaving the car as is until I see oil leaking; doing the jobs myself; getting an "indy" mechanic to do the work; using the Lucas additive. Thank you.
John

LUCAS OIL ??? I put that shit on everything. Put it on your cereal too its healthy.

[ctuna]

You could probably knock 500 to 1000 of by going to a
BMW Indy.
OFG is not that hard VCG is kind of big job.
Pan gasket is a pain due to dropping the subframe.
The parts for this are cheap the labor is almost all the cost.
Snake oil additives are almost always a bad way to go.

[BravoJohny33]

The oil housing filter is easy but I don't think the VCG is easy. I have seen so many threads on here "I change my VCG and my car runs like shit or it still leaks"

[Efthreeoh]

My opinion about the VCG and OFHG is this. The dealer will make an assessment and recommend these two items with the intent the customer will go do an internet search on the subject matter and see they are ligitimate issues. The OFHG is the ghost in the machine because it can leak internally without visibile signs.

Until oil gets on the serpentine belt or the engine oil goes white, just leave them be and open the hood every month and check on stuff.

[Fritzer]

I would highly recommend against using any sort of additive that is not endorsed by BMW, which is zero if I'm not mistaken.


OFHG is honestly very easy, much cheaper to do yourself. VCG is a bit more complex, never done it myself but have read up on DIYs. General consensus seems like you can knock it out in a day if it's your first time relatively easily.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

The oil housing filter is easy but I don't think the VCG is easy. I have seen so many threads on here "I change my VCG and my car runs like shit or it still leaks"

because a bunch of people just replace the gasket and don't realize that the valve cover itself is cracked, or the PCV system is boned.

for best results, buy a new valve cover.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by nsjames

because a bunch of people just replace the gasket and don't realize that the valve cover itself is cracked, or the PCV system is boned.

for best results, buy a new valve cover.

Yeah for a car with the plastic cover (328i or 335i) I would just replace the cover. It would suck to do the job twice.

While the valve cover gasket is more complex than the oil filter housing, if you take your time and follow one of the DIYs you will be fine.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Until oil gets on the serpentine belt or the engine oil goes white, just leave them be and open the hood every month and check on stuff.

Yep that is what happened to me, Noticed a bit of oily coolant so replace both OFHG and OCHG. It had also leaked a lot on the back side but nothing was leaking onto the belt yet.

[mbjg0788]

Thanks to all for your input and advice.

[Boland01]

If you are is DIY person you can do both jobs yourself by investing a couple hours or so to save a lot of $$. The valve cover gasket is well under $50.00 and the Oil filter gasket is pretty cheap too. Since you have a 328i your car may have aluminum bolts which are a once time use. Our 335i's had steel bolts.

It makes it easier if you have a buddy to help you put the valve cover back on by making sure all the cables etc,.. are out of the way and everything is aligned. Good luck.

[ryan stewart]

probably the same plastic VCG as mine. Was an easy swap. Well, not easy but not complicated. Just gotta take a lot of parts off to get to it but once you get to it I didnt find it any harder than doing any other VCGs in the past decade. Taking off all of the other stuff is why they charge you so much.

If youre pulling it though go ahead and order the seals for the vanos, the sensor, etc. Might as well just do it while you are there, you know. I didnt replace the cover though. Mine was in great shape.

Only PITA is you need like every socket and wrench known to man because BMW loves using all different types of fasteners. But the $200 in wrenches you buy to make sure you are covered is a drop in the bucket compared to the $2000 someone is going to charge you for the work.

Edit: also I was able to do the OFHG by using a small ratcheting wrench in there instead of taking off the intake. It was slow going since you can only move it a few degrees at a time but less of a PITA than pulling the intake.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Boland01

If you are is DIY person you can do both jobs yourself by investing a couple hours or so to save a lot of $$. The valve cover gasket is well under $50.00 and the Oil filter gasket is pretty cheap too. Since you have a 328i your car may have aluminum bolts which are a once time use. Our 335i's had steel bolts.

It makes it easier if you have a buddy to help you put the valve cover back on by making sure all the cables etc,.. are out of the way and everything is aligned. Good luck.

N52's with the plastic valve cover (2007 and forward), have reusable steel bolts for the valve cover. 2005 - 2006 N52 with the magnesium valve cover, use aluminum valve cover bolts.