BMW 5 Series F10 - Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement N55 DIY - 2011 BMW 535i F10 

Thanks for taking the time to make a video. As people have pointed out before, there are a few better ways to get those difficult bolts, and 1/4" tools are better in tight spaces. In spite of this you got it done, but took a LONG time that would discourage some DIY'ers. Thanks again for getting us started.

Great video, I followed your steps on my 2012 535i. Couple comments: on my car, on the intake, the first two (of 7) fasteners were bolts, not just one like on your car. I would suggest the ratchet e-Torx is a must. I found a cheap set on Amazon for $30 CAD. Thank fully i didn’t have to fight for hours on the bolt under the oil filter housing like you did. Overall it took me 4 hours including going to BMW parts for an intake nut that dropped into the engine bay, never to be found again. Lots of clean-up needed for the oil and coolant that spills.

3 Helpful Tips: 1. I removed the bottom OFH bolt using a 5/16" closed end wrench. A 5/16" 12 point wrench fits perfectly onto the e-10 torx bolt with No need to buy special tools. 2. Remove the lower coolant line going directly into the OFH to gain additional access. DO NOT remove the coolant hose with two bolts going into the block. The fitting on this hose is prone to break in the block and the o-ring will warp out of shape if removed - you'll need to buy a new hose to repair either of these. 3. Only move the Intake a little bit and use a 1/4" drive e-10 socket or 5/16" 12 sided socket. On the F10 N55 it isn't necessary to fully dismantle the entire intake manifold as shown in vid, just unscrew all the fasteners and move it just enough for a 1/4" drive to get in. This will make Life much easier and the repair much faster

Thanks for the video. Did this job today. Overall it wasn't too bad, just had to be super careful about not dropping bolts are nuts. Important to clean off the gasket surfaces as much as possible, I sanded a bit with 2500 grit to remove the debris. The nut closest from the firewall is pretty ridiculous as well, I was praying to not drop it while installing when going between the million wire harnesses and with no visibility at all. It's wise to do the belt tensioner and belt at the same time as these gaskets German engineering: Let's design a rubber gasket that fails after a few years and make the hardware to remove it not accessible without removing half the engine :) Absolutely necessary to make the job go smoothly: 1/4 12" wobble extension (for the hidden bolt) E10 1/4 socket (for the hidden bolt) 5/16 ratcheting wrench (for the lowest filter housing bolt) 11mm magnetic nutsetter (to place the nuts on the intake manifold to prevent dropping

If you drop the alternator you can access that top bolt using a ratcheting box wrench without removing the manifold.

Thanks! Your video helped me to change both gaskets on my bmw x3 f25 n55 motor. I did that without removing torx 25 bolts to remove 7th nut holding intake m. Thanks again!!

Thanks for the video, I was able to do mine 2 days ago, very helpful.

Worked for 2013 X3, N55. Video is right on. The universal socket technique WILL NOT WORK for my car, used a box wrench with splined ratchet on the closed end. Thanks man!! Caution: Watch out for the O-rings when disconnecting the coolant lines. Losing one costs $$$.

Great video , I did on my X5 2011 same engine.....it was easy and take me around 2 hours to do it.... BMW Fairfax VA ask $1.200 for replaced it.......Gasket cost me $30........thanks for the video

$1048 for this service at our dealer…not an easy job, but not worth $1048. When you said, “I’m beginning to regret doing this job,” I knew that feeling all too well. I like BMW’s but they don’t know how to make a gasket to save their lives…and they have way too many hard, or impossible to reach bolts for what should be a simple job. Germans pride themselves on their engineering…a great engineer makes servicing their creations easy…not difficult enough to drive you crazy!

great video, good job, thanks for sharing !!!

Thank you so much, it was great help

Good info! Thanks C.K.!

Have you done priming procedure after this job?

Nice vid my 2011 has a leak and I'm trying to get it to dealer before warranty expires

I advise to do this work when you change your engine oil and coolant. Change the gasket when the engine is empty of oil and coolant, it makes the work more clean.

Very helpful diy video, how much oil and coolant did you end up topping off? Would oil and coolant be contaminated after this job with both gaskets? Would you recommend a oil change? Also did the coolant system need to be bleed or did it just need a simple coolant top off? Thanks

Your really should drain your coolant and oil first and take the cap off the top and filter out and suck up the excess oil in there.Will save you a lot of cleanup efforts...especially with the serpentine belt under there! Also should take of the coolant line to the radiator ( not the one into the block )...take that whole housing out and clean it with break cleaner , so you can see future leaks a lot easier with the grime off.... After it's off you can take off the heat exchange part to the oil cooler and replace that gasket.. Also recommend taking out the fan as it makes accessing that back e-torx a lot easier...especially with a proper wrench..a socket won't generally give you much luck in that spot....

Great video. Will definitely help out when I will be doing it in the next 2 weeks or so. What method did you use to secure ~7 manifold bolts when removing and installing to make sure they don't fall out of the socket?

Got a quote for $980 from my local dealer, and $600 from a reputable BMW shop.. wondering if I should just fork out the money and not worry about messing something up. I was told it would take around 5 hours as well.

Got a 335i n55 looking at doing this as I have the classic fault which many have come across... so people say you need to drain the cooling system??

Thanks for the video. I did this on my old E60 2007 525i and it seems very similar. I plan to work on my f10 later next weekend. I remember using the wrench at the bottom bolt you were having a tough time. Hopefully, I can get this done. Again thank you and wish me luck :)

Could you tell me about why take out of the each parts air intake and hose etc. for your housing gasket replace work

i curious it just change housing gasket but why you take it out all before you ready?

Any video for valve cover gasket replacement on this same vehicle? 2011 BMW 535 i

what was that threaded hole at 1:28? is a bolt supposed to be there?

C.K where are you located? i need someone to replace it for me

With the upper hose removed. Was there a rubber gasket and plastic ring around the hose connector ?

You did not replace the intake manifold gasket?

BMW Dealership near me just quoted me $1303 to do this! Not sure where they got that figure from. This seems pretty easy to do!

Is this the same for f10 550i?

shame on BMW for making it so hard to get that screw out and the placement of this damn oil filter housing..

Contrary to the name it’s actually not a twin turbo but rather a single turbo

Just cost me $826.16 at the BMW Dealership In Atlanta to do the same job.

Not a twin turbo; it's a twin scroll, single turbo.

thanks for the vid but the N55 is NOT twin turbo.. know ur engine..

If you have to explain things like airbox removal and plastic engine cover removal then these people shouldnt be working on their bmw