[andy_06xi]

I normally don't change my own oil - but I bring a Mann filter to the Valvoline guys. Well they stopped accepting customer filters so I let them use their own. It leaked.

So I changed the filter myself back to a Mann and the problem is fixed. But I wasn't sure what direction to put the filter on. It looked symmetric - so I chose to put the side with writing towards the top of the engine.

I've not seen any guidance on the web or warnings not to put it in the wrong way. Asking the experts - does it matter?

[Tambohamilton]

Shouldn't matter; like you say, it's symmetrical. I would do exactly as you've done.

[Efthreeoh]

It doesn't matter. But good on you insisting on using the OEM filter.

Now, find a BMW independent shop to maintain the car because they'll do it correctly. Also, I'll assume the "Valvoline guys" use Valvoline oil. Not really a problem if you don't follow BMWs long oil change interval as provided by the CBS system. But if you are going with long OCI it's best to use a BMW-spec long-life oil LL-01. Do you know what oil they use?

[Emilime75]

What, exactly, do you mean when you say "it leaked"?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

What, exactly, do you mean when you say "it leaked"?

I'll wager the large O-ring was incorrectly installed.

[andy_06xi]

1) Valvoline does use an LL-01 oil -- their 5w30 MST synthetic. I also do fairly frequent (5K-6K) oil changes so I'm not that worried. Combined with using Groupons -- it's a fairly cheap service (especially if you don't let them charge you $15 extra for their crap filter).


2) The old (valvoline) filter seemed like it was too long -- as it was 'crushed' in the middle. I think this lead to the o-ring not making good contact and oil leaked through the oil cap threads. At first I thought it might be the OFHG going again -- but thankfully not.


Thanks to the above posters for the reassurance.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by andy_06xi

1) Valvoline does use an LL-01 oil -- their 5w30 MST synthetic. I also do fairly frequent (5K-6K) oil changes so I'm not that worried. Combined with using Groupons -- it's a fairly cheap service (especially if you don't let them charge you $15 extra for their crap filter).


2) The old (valvoline) filter seemed like it was too long -- as it was 'crushed' in the middle. I think this lead to the o-ring not making good contact and oil leaked through the oil cap threads. At first I thought it might be the OFHG going again -- but thankfully not.


Thanks to the above posters for the reassurance.

So I have a 2006 E90 bought new. It's only seen MANN HU-816 or BMW OE oil filters. I've never had a leak after any of the 35 or so oil changes. In 2014 I bought a used Z4 3.0si coupe, which also has the N52. I bought the car from CarMax, they used an aftermarket oil filter from their parts supplier, that had rubber gaskets on each end. The filter was crushed in the center, as it was a few MM to long. Never use anything but the MANN filter on the N52.

As I previously suggested, take the car to a BMW Indy, even for simple stuff like oil changes. Non BMW shops can fuck up a BMW in one shot.

My 2 cents.