Leaking from oil filter o-ring

riqs · 11-05-2011, 09:03 PM

Hi everyone. I'm having an issue I'm hoping to get some advice on. I've got a 2004 330i with 98K miles on it. I just did an oil change which was the first I've done on this vehicle because I had always brought it to the dealer before. I'd actually never changed a canister filter before and I bought the filter from Checker. I ended up cruching the o-ring by putting the filter cap on too tight (I'm blaming the 36mm socket required for that thing...I guess I was just feeling too manly

. I didn't realize it until the next day when I saw the oil drips. When I realized what I had done I went back to Checker and just bought another filter since they didn't just sell the o-ring and used that o-ring. I also bought a torque wrench so I would know when I was hitting the 25nM it suggests. After I put it on, I turned on the car and watched it with a flashlight. After about 30 seconds, the o-ring bulged out and the oil started oozing. By this point I'm realizing that after market sucks and I should have driven the extra 15 miles to the dealership for the filter...which I just did today and bought their $8 o-ring. I put it on using the specified torque and it did the same thing! After 30 seconds the o-ring bulged out and the oil started flowing.

I'm at a loss as far as what I can do. I'm not exactly a "car guy" but it seems like this shouldn't be this difficult! I would appreciate any advice before I take it in.

Just to reiterate...the oil is definitely coming from the o-ring at the oil filter. I saw the actual rubber seal bulge out both times I replaced it.

fdriller9 · 11-05-2011, 09:52 PM

I think your putting the oring in the wrong place. There is a groove for the oring to sit in. It doesn't go all the way to the top.

mike3000fl · 11-05-2011, 10:14 PM

also make sure you run a fingertip of oil around the o-ring.

queensfield · 11-05-2011, 11:09 PM

+3
Improper O-ring seat, as stated already, is the most likely cause. Make sure it sits in the groove- a dab of oil around the o-ring helps to keep it in place as you tighten down

ENINTY · 11-06-2011, 08:56 AM

I think everyone is correct, you are not seating the O-ring in the square groove just above the cap threads, and coating the O-ring with oil to lubricate it as it seats in the housing.

Also, since you've already over-torqued the filter cap, it now may have a crack in it, or be damaged in some fashion, where it will now not let the O-ring seal properly. Go on line to realOEM.com, plug in the last 7 digits of your car's VIN, look up the correct part number for a new oil filter cap; it should be less that $15, and it comes with a new filter kit. Then copy and paste the part number into getBMWparts.com, and order a new oil filter cap kit and just replace the old cap and properly torque it to spec. It's plastic; it doesn't need/take much torque. O-rings don't seal any better with more torque; they just seat and that's it.

11-05-2011, 09:03 PM	#1
riqs Registered Drives: 2004 330i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Leaking from oil filter o-ring Hi everyone. I'm having an issue I'm hoping to get some advice on. I've got a 2004 330i with 98K miles on it. I just did an oil change which was the first I've done on this vehicle because I had always brought it to the dealer before. I'd actually never changed a canister filter before and I bought the filter from Checker. I ended up cruching the o-ring by putting the filter cap on too tight (I'm blaming the 36mm socket required for that thing...I guess I was just feeling too manly. I didn't realize it until the next day when I saw the oil drips. When I realized what I had done I went back to Checker and just bought another filter since they didn't just sell the o-ring and used that o-ring. I also bought a torque wrench so I would know when I was hitting the 25nM it suggests. After I put it on, I turned on the car and watched it with a flashlight. After about 30 seconds, the o-ring bulged out and the oil started oozing. By this point I'm realizing that after market sucks and I should have driven the extra 15 miles to the dealership for the filter...which I just did today and bought their $8 o-ring. I put it on using the specified torque and it did the same thing! After 30 seconds the o-ring bulged out and the oil started flowing. I'm at a loss as far as what I can do. I'm not exactly a "car guy" but it seems like this shouldn't be this difficult! I would appreciate any advice before I take it in. Just to reiterate...the oil is definitely coming from the o-ring at the oil filter. I saw the actual rubber seal bulge out both times I replaced it.
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11-05-2011, 10:14 PM	#3
mike3000fl Eleven Bravo Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: ft bragg Posts: 2,104 iTrader: (0)	also make sure you run a fingertip of oil around the o-ring. __________________ 2006 330i - Jet Black - 19" E46 M3 wheels - HR Sport - 188,000 Miles...
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11-05-2011, 09:52 PM	#2
fdriller9 Banned Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC Posts: 7,090 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [3.22]	I think your putting the oring in the wrong place. There is a groove for the oring to sit in. It doesn't go all the way to the top.
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11-05-2011, 11:09 PM	#4
queensfield First Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: So Cal Posts: 343 iTrader: (0)	+3 Improper O-ring seat, as stated already, is the most likely cause. Make sure it sits in the groove- a dab of oil around the o-ring helps to keep it in place as you tighten down
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11-06-2011, 08:56 AM	#5
ENINTY Banned Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,415 iTrader: (0)	I think everyone is correct, you are not seating the O-ring in the square groove just above the cap threads, and coating the O-ring with oil to lubricate it as it seats in the housing. Also, since you've already over-torqued the filter cap, it now may have a crack in it, or be damaged in some fashion, where it will now not let the O-ring seal properly. Go on line to realOEM.com, plug in the last 7 digits of your car's VIN, look up the correct part number for a new oil filter cap; it should be less that $15, and it comes with a new filter kit. Then copy and paste the part number into getBMWparts.com, and order a new oil filter cap kit and just replace the old cap and properly torque it to spec. It's plastic; it doesn't need/take much torque. O-rings don't seal any better with more torque; they just seat and that's it.
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