How To Fix Your BMW Oil Leak 

Also I changed my pcv valve which has made the car run great so no oil leak and car running the way it should,I’m a happy chappy

The car was in original factory condition. The owner is a close friend and never had it in for any work other than oil changes. BMW forums have mentioned this problem many times

Love bmw always keep buying them because mostly it’s always little stuff that goes wrong

going on the year of the car, I suspect somone has worked on it and over tightened it, it's not a new car, so it's not a warranty issue. It's not a recall, someone has done that

My wife has a 2005 335 e46. It developed a leak in the same spot. My son and I replaced the valve cover gasket. While removing the bolts I noticed one in the front right corner was very easy to remove. Exactly where the leak was. When we replaced the bolts, all of them turned from a point of little resistance then complete resistance. Except the spot where the looser bolt came from. I couldn't seem to get that bolt to tighten. Then it snapped. I had to let the car sit for 4 days while I waited for a $5 part to finish the job. Now it's leaking again. A beautiful car but this is not making for a happy holiday.

Why is it called how to fix video when are you obviously not fixing it,just describing the problem

Weird, I don't ever remember BMW using red rtv with their valve covers.

My '06 535xi wagon had exactly the same problem (2 years ago). And of course it happened right after the warranty ran out. Three broken bolts -- and there was never any work done to the engine. The dealer charged me $1100 to pull the cover, extract the 3 bolts, and put everything back together. I asked if they had ever seen this before and they said every once in a while. Agree there should have been a recall. Love BMW's but after this experience, sold the car (and bought another).

I took my 325i (2001) to pep boys with appointment, they couldn't find the leak location... Instead they told me to have it pressure washed then bring it back for inspection.. Now I can't even find a car engine pressure washing place. ... Sacramento, Ca... Sucks!!!!!!!!

The valve cover gasket on many BMWs go bad. This BMW owner (or someone) clearly did a DIY with sealant, used the same bolts and over tightened them likely not using a torque wrench. Maintain a car properly and follow correct procedures and this will never happen.

What's with BMW and the oil leaks? I have a 2001 325i that have an extensive oil leak as well. The car turns on but the wheel is locked hard to turn and you see a lot of oil when you open the hood. Many stories online about BMW and its leaks.

Its not a recall yet but please feel free to go to NHTSA and file a complaint - they may investigate and that may lead to a recall - this problem could lead to a possible fire - please file a complaint

There is a sticker under the hood says any blue topped bolts should never be reused and that they will break somebody had to have previously tried to reuse the bolts and this is what happens when the person who wants to buy a luxury car also wants to be cheap.

I wonder if people who build these cars listen to any of us and realise folks are not impressed .

Valve Cover replacement, it's a very common fix in most BMWs

The price of the bolts isn't the problem, it's the price of the labor to fix this issue that costs serious dough. And a 6 year old car isn't that old, recalls happen all the time for cars that are older.

2005 330ci convert ZHP 72k no valve cover issues but did have a leak at the oil filter housing.

I had the exact same thing happen to me. Only for me it was only one bolt. Very expensive if you go to the dealer to get a new gasket cover replaced. I ended up doing it myself. Oil was dripping on the side of the engine and sometimes I would see smoke coming from around the hood, sometimes if the smoke was bad enough it came into the cabin through the air vents. BMW 330I 2006

The original bolts were made using cast method and have weak spots. You will also want to inspect the 4 aluminum head bolts (1 of which is external slightly back and inboard of filter housing) they were also cast. New bolts should be forged aluminum and are stronger.

BMW in San Diego charges $185 an hour. The problem isn't 2 losse bolts...the problem as clearly stated in the video is 2 broken bolts. Have you ever extracted a bolt before? It can start as a bad day and turn into a nightmare real fast.

can you make more videos on bmw 2002 e39 safe transmission program bassacally anything u will know for bmw 525i 2o02 thank you

Hey All,My mechanic said the ' oil thermostat ' just burned out, caused the oil to seep out of the gaskets until it heat dissoved the gaskets. Cost about $750.00 mostly for the labor. He said the gasket bolts were fine. I will keep you all posted of any more developements!-Tom Out...

Like how they say in the movie fight club ,"If the cost of lawsuits out weigh the cost of a recall, then they do a recall. But if it doesn't then you'll never know."

Here's your typical German over/under engineering. They can't use steel bolts due to the magnesium engine block due to electrolysis corrosion. Hence they use aluminum bolts instead of steel bolts which will easily snap in a few years due to the constant heating/cooling cycle. And why do they use magnesium engine block ?.....To save weight. I could understand if they use magnesium engine block on their F1 cars for all-out performance, but using it in the everyday road car, I would say they lost their mind.

Damn. I just bought a used one and just found out it’s leaking oil. Said it would cost me about $1000 to fix. That is f**ked up BUT good video! Atleast I know their not trying to rob me

Ok so it looks like the valve cover gasket was replaced, and the guy who replaced i didnt know that you have to use new aluminum bolts, the one with a blue marking on top are one time use. You have to torque it to a certain amount.

I think if you check the bolts and if none of them are snapped, you should get a set of valve cover bolts and a gasket from the dealer or many of the online places and change them out before they snap.... My three water pump stretch bolts were like 4 dollars, from the look of it, these are the same E12 ext torx as the ones on the water pump.

it was a really Good Video and helpful to me GOD bless you all am Kurdish From Iraq.

Exact same thing that i just noticed on my car its a 07 328i

that shoudn t cost more than 140$ to fix the price of (bolts+ new valve cover gasket) 30 min of work but I do agree that if you take to the dealer you better take some KY with you too.

Wow I’m just happy I own an old one,I did my valve gasket not long ago and used a small ratchet to ensure no over tightening,I didn’t have a torque wrench lol

2006 330i, I had the same issue. Leak started off small and then eventually I was smoking terribly one day, popped the hood and there was fire on my exhaust. Got the broken bolts repaired, has been fine ever since. What a pain it was though, and not cheap. Bolts are aluminum, single torque, not to be reused if taken out. I bought my car used not sure if a manufacturer issue of if someone had the cover off and reused the bolts, over torquing them when they put the cover back on.

Great info, you're saving lives! New subscriber!

That's a far more plausible explanation than the BMW factory overtightening head cover bolts. Although some of the bimmers are made in S.C. now, so you never know any more ;)

Thanks for the useful video!! I have 2002, 320d touring. I just found it leaks very badly when driving on highway. Stop immediately and filled in 3 litres of engine oil (wow, this was really, really bad) just enough to keep it up running to go back home. Packed and filled oil again and start the engine for checking if any over-burn comes out of the exhaust but none (luckily?!). I don't drive it since then. It happened after I changed the engine oil. I doubted it is because of the drain lug and gasket but not because right at the lug it pretty dry and clean. I used the drain gasket comes along with Mann filter and tightened the drain lug just enough (I know that). I have not check for the leak spot. Leaking only happens when I drive. For sure oil comes out from working engine, under pressure. Any suggestion, please! Many thanks!

I'm carless atm my 04 x5 is leaking quarts of oil and the crazy thing is I can't pinpointthe leak I had a small amount of smoke come out the pipe once in a while and a leak for a while but it just recently got this bad .... sucks I'm broke atm .

thanks i just checked the same bolt and mine was just loose, so loose i turn with hand. It's not broken i think previous owner did vcg and did not change alu bolts ive been going trough a quart of oil every 800 miles so i re tight bolt and check the reast some needed a half turn to fill snug also experienced loss of power on 2nd and 3rd currently have no cel but pending p1017 eccentric shaft sensor

Ive been having oil leaks and im glad to run into this video. Ran into the garage to check the bolts on my car and the same bolt in the video is broken off. I can probably buy the bolts online but my problem is how to get the broken bit out of the socket? Please advise..!

normally before lifting a car I look on top of the engine, take all the plastic covers off to get a better view. Then I lift the car and if it has a cover on the bottom; I also take that off...

How do you change a front crank shaft seal on a e46?

how did you remove the broken bolts the where left stuck

I have a 2010 BMW x5 turbo diesel with less than 45,000 km. An oil leak developed after the car jumped a curb and ended up hard on the frame (severely damaged the underbody panels) Dealer identified the leak as the oil tube feeding the turbo and that the accident could not have cause it. NO leaks before, Significant leak after. Is it possible that the shock of the frame hitting the curb damaged the oil tube ??

Aluminum bolts? How ridiculous! How do we demand a recall? All of my gaskets are blowing out. BMW did a limited recall on passenger side airbags. Mine and a friend of mine's were not part of the recall but the malfunction light went on for both of us and we both had to pay to have it fixed. The ultimate driving machine my ass! Next time I buy a Honda or Hyundai. They stand behind their work.

How many miles were on the car? At 6 years old it may have had service done to replace the timing belt which would require removing the valve cover. If that service was not done properly the bolts could have been overtightened and caused the broken bolt.

I'm 16 and I have a BMW 328i 2007 and I believe I have the same problem. Anytime I have ever redlined my car it smokes up and oil has blown all over my exhaust.

Yep. Mine did it too. Just like the bad ground in the tail light they wont fix.........

My 1999 BMW 328i has exactly the same problem. Same broken bolt and everything. What to do about it? Fix it myself? Pay a mechanic to do it? Get rid of it?

I just bought a BMW 535xi 2008 two days ago with 198,000 miles and it’s leaking oil but only drops, I’m crying instead I don’t know what’s going on or what to do I just needed a car no check engine lights are on but I am so scared to find out I’ma have to pay a lot of money for this car. But ima hold my head up high and make the best out of it….But man am I scared to what’s to came, Pray for me and all new Byers of BMW, Hope it all turns out good!!

Earned my subscription

I have a 2006 325i although my issue is not as drastic as the gasket. My issue is a faulty filler cap but i have replaced this twice in the last 12 months of owning the car yet the issue persists. I have spent a fortune on keeping the engine topped up with oil about 1L every month. If i knew these cars had this issue i would never of bought it.

My car has a leak as well in the valve cover cause a loud vacuum noise and loss of power... Need to have it changed thanks BMW!!!! Love paying for a nice car with nice problems...

Hello Everyone I have 2007 BMW 335I and I have been leaking oil for 2 month I thought I may need to replace valve cover gasket but it turns out that all 4 of my bolts were missing and that was causing the oil leak im so happy I don't have to spend all that money to get it fixed

Not a manufacturing defect. Somebody messed with that cover and over torqued it. I serviced my own cover gasket while doing a tune up, and it didn't look like that. Easy fix anyway, plenty of videos on RU-vid.

Go to your local auto supply and get an ez out to remove the bolt

I have this same issue same car 06 325i. I'm looking about 100$ in parts not too bad. Planning on doing it myself pretty mechanically inclined. The only concern I have is how to extract the broken bolt?

Now I feel that I am not alone... I have a 2004, 545i leaks so bad that my lot is covered with oil. Topping it up 2-3 times per month a bit over a litre every time . Then got coolant leak. is it due to oil leak?

I'm haveing the same problem worth my 2006 BMW 325i it did sum what catch fire but luckily I open the hood and I keep an fire extinguisher in all my cars how do I fix this problem

2006 bmw 325i Sedan same issue same exact bolts broken.

it also happens to 2006 x3 as well!

My husband and I have a 08 328i and he knows where the compartment for the wind shield wipers is he'd just like some knowledge on what other compartments it connects to. I'm sorry if I don't make much sense but I don't really know how else to phrase my sentence. Thank you.

i have a 08 335i coupe, it has the same problem, it is starting to leak alot more than just spotting.

I went through a deep puddle in my bmw 325ci now when I start it up it dies out.ive been told that itve got water In the sump is that true

I have a 2006 x5 4.4i major oil leak; it will not start, I've changed the oil attempted to restart and it will not restart

My 2001 318i had leaked the oil while I was driving 120 km per hour, before I CAN Stop it makes a noise coming from the engine and engine went off. The was lot of oil coming from the engine underneath. What could have cause that because the car was just from the service 2 months ago?

The German engineers "lost their mind" in many other ways of design: they mount the coolant temperature sensor at the top of the engine block (sensing hot coolant) instead of at the bottom of the radiator (sensing cooled coolant), which caused an accelerated aging and sensitivity (due to bubble etc), and eventual overheating of the engine and transmission! I even suspect that they did so on purpose....

I found the same problem on my 2006 330I. The same two bolts front bottom. It was a huge PIA to get to and repair. BMW should come clean when it comes to these types of repairs. No fault of owner but a Mfg defect and should be covered under a good-will warranty. Hmmm that's a new concept. But never mind because it will effect Mfr's bottom line and heaven forbid they need the money because they're not charging enough for their cars as it is! I used Perma Thread to repair. Simple enough procedure - drill the hole w/ the recommended size drill bit, tap new threads and then screw in the special thread insert with their special tool installer included in the kit. Thinking of uploading my video experience here to help out other folks.

Funny how BMW's warranty is only 3-5 years. The warranty is the reason I didn't buy a 335i. It looked great and an inline 6 twin turbo was enough pull to make me want it. But when I saw the warranty I walked away.

2006 BMW 🤔..Oil leaks. CHECK UNDER THE "BMW" BADGE🤣

Could u tell me what type of bolt I should buy if I have 2006 330i or all of the are the same ??? Many thanks

I'm having the same problem with my BMW 1 series really stressing me out

Thank you for the video ! I just noticed my 06 325i is leaking lots of oil in the drive way.. right in time before i make my long trip to go out to see family in another state.. what a bummer. Will check tomorrow and see if it is the bolts. If so, how could I get the other end of the broken bolts out? magnet of some sorts?

yes, my 323 has oil leak and going to DIY replacement

i also have a 2006 330i and aslo the bolt broke! the left corner and its leaking like crazy

I got a crap warranty.....but the pull from my335i was lusty enough that I dove in head first. fingers crossed

How did you break the valve cover bolts lol. Hmmm, shady.

I don't disagree BMW ought to fix this problem. It seems like some kind of manufacturing defect as you claim. But is it really reasonable to fear an engine fire? An oil leak is bad enough, because it's not just messy, you can end up breathing the fumes from the oil burning off hot engine parts, and that's a health issue. But I think an actual fire is very unlikely. It doesn't seem to happen to the vast majority of cars with engine leaks. I think you are overstating this.

I just put bars oil stop leak and that did the job

Interesting, i found in 2 separate bmws, oil gasket leaks on carter...also leaks on oil temp and level sensor it leaks, is that common? It seems my 3 10 mm bolts are not tight enough! Or overtightened, i check asap! Thanks from Belgium 🇧🇪, Bob

That's a bad leak . I never had broken bolts fortunately. I did actually risk tightening my vale cover bolts more .The ones I could reach anyway.Breakin bolts is bad . Have to retap the threads .Big hassle. It's not uncommon for the N52 engine to leak a bit from the valve cover .Always on the exhaust side unfortunately. It shouldn't be as bad as that though .Thats just wrong .

Thank again , very helpfull vedio . when d engin is on , i noticed , if i remove the red oil level stick a huge amount of oil pooring from it , is it normal ? Thanks

I changed the water pump 1 month ago lol

What would be the estimate price to get that fix?

Has anyone had they're car fixed yet, if so how much did it cost? I just wrote BMW Ca. and asked about a recall,. might be worth it to have everyone on this page write them and complain,. they should at the very least pay for the kit and part of the install.

This is no where as serious as is made out - I work as a specialist I done a VCG, spark housings and new bolts set to correct specification according to Auto data and I charged including VAT, Labour, and parts a measly £150.96. A fire I highly doubt as oil won't light until 336 degrees centigrade, exhausts run at average of 230 degrees centigrade again this varies on two factors - weather and driving style. don't worry about a fire simply just clean it while its cold with degreaser for like £5.

I have recently notice oil on the garage floor from my 2007 525i. Now it's quite extensive. Happened across this video in a web search and when i lefted the cover enought to expose the corner bolt like the one in the video it too could be easliy lefted out. Does any one know if this as ever been acknowledged by BMW as a recall issue?

This will never become a recall issue because it just never happens to these particular engines. The aluminum bolts are meant to be replaced even if they are just broken loose once. What most likely happened is someone didn't replace the bolts. I've worked on hundreds of these vehicles with this exact engine (N52). I have yet to see this happen. I will agree this is a dangerous issue to ignore with this vehicle but the point is for it to be a recall issue it has to be overwhelmingly common.

Hello. I have a 2002 325ci with 69,000 miles. My Oil light started coming on. I am losing oil, but no oil drips, leaks or spots I can see under the car or spots left. I put a Qt in and the light goes away. Mechanic said he sees oil in the pan and the top end looks ok but has to do some more research in it. Any clue what it could be. Hopefully not going into engine anywhere. Warranty is longer over with. Pray for me. This Car is in mint condition. Thnx Guys !!!!

I have a 2001 BMW X5 and I’m not driving it because I need a seal cover because I have oil leaking do you know what’s the best ways to fix this ?

My 2002 bmw 325i has been leaking a lot of oil for the last 2 weeks or more any tips ? I don't know anything bout cars

My bmw is leaking a small bit of oil but you can smell it inside the car. Mt mother is being tested for carbon monoxide poisoning as I type because she was feeling some of the symptoms. Any idea on what it may be?

Man I'm in the WRONG business $1K to put some bolts on a valve cover Btw ebay sells bolts and gasket cheap i bought gasket last year for $10 free ship.

I have a 95 BMW 530I , V8 and I replaced valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket and two o from the oil filter housing and still leaking from the upper passenger side any advice? I will appreciate.

I have had my 2006 530xi in for oil leaks 5 times in 6 months.

BMW doesn't use red RTV. That valve cover has been replaced and the bolts over torqued. The car was 6 years old at the time of this video. If this was a manufacturing defect it wouldn't have waited 6 years to start leaking. And what do you mean you should never touch the valve cover bolts after the car is made? If the gasket starts leaking are you just supposed to wish it fixed? And if you're charging $1000 to R&I the valve cover and extract two broken bolts I'm in the wrong business.

Patric i will do my gasket valve cover change Do i really need to change those bolts

can someone please send me the instructions on how to replace Oil Filter Housing Gasket for 2007 e92? thank you very much

Should i check my 316TI 2001 ?

Nice video

Hey my 2008-650i just dropped all its oil in my driveway after driving home from work and parking it. No indication, not due for an oil change for two more months. It must be systemic and should be a recall !!!!!!!!!!

having same issue with my 3 series.