OFHG- Help required

Hxm99 · 03-01-2021, 08:51 AM

hello guys
I've searched the forum throughout and couldn't really find much on this topic, probably cos its very basic. I'm looking to do my OFHG as preventative maint.
I'll do the oil cooler gasket at the same time too, but I'm unsure what else needs done, an acquaintance once said some o ring needs replacing too.

can someone list the parts and tools I'll need for this? can I reuse the same bolts?

Vehicle: 2007 E93 325i(N53 engine)

Phil325i · 03-01-2021, 10:17 AM

Personal view, I wouldn't do this as preventive. Why not wait until it leaks? My N53 has done 114K and still hasn't leaked, so I'm leaving well alone. If you decide to go ahead, this is the best 'how to' vid I found (avoids draining coolant):

Hxm99 · 03-01-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Personal view, I wouldn't do this as preventive. Why not wait until it leaks? My N53 has done 114K and still hasn't leaked, so I'm leaving well alone. If you decide to go ahead, this is the best 'how to' vid I found (avoids draining coolant):

Hey Phil!
I'm not entirely sure if mine is leaking or not, upon removing the plastic cover there was a build up of a little oily gunk from over the years but nothing seemed to drip down, would you say that's alright or needs replacing? Also, I was looking at gaskets on eBay as they cost like 10 quid(with 3 year warranty) whereas BMW charges over 50, are ebay gaskets complete crap?

off topic but I'd like to ask, if you've done you're drive belt, I'm looking to get mine done as the car is on 98k and i'm a lil paranoid about the drive belt getting sucked in

Phil325i · 03-01-2021, 03:18 PM

Don't know how many miles you've done, but I would clean up the whole area and see if you get any signs of leaking after that. I've no experience of eBay gaskets, sorry. I change my serpentine belt and tensioner every 50K.

RajB · 03-02-2021, 09:00 AM

As Phil has said, I would give the area a good clean and check from there to see if there is a leak. The residue you are seeing could be from oil changes etc that haven't been cleaned up properly afterwards etc.

No point changing it if it's not leaking.

0l0dom0l0 · 03-02-2021, 09:54 AM

Give it a good clean and leave it well alone if its not leaking. Even if it starts to leak it isn't going to leave you stranded at the side of the road.

I've done various things and on a 13 year old car you could argue every component needs replacing but where do you draw the line - this for me is an example of something that you don't need to do unless its causing you a problem. Same with the rocker cover gasket.

On a one off job like that, i would get a genuine BMW gasket. Cheap ones are often made from paper, the BMW one will most likely be a metal gasket and of superior quality.

Hxm99 · 03-02-2021, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0l0dom0l0

Give it a good clean and leave it well alone if its not leaking. Even if it starts to leak it isn't going to leave you stranded at the side of the road.

I've done various things and on a 13 year old car you could argue every component needs replacing but where do you draw the line - this for me is an example of something that you don't need to do unless its causing you a problem. Same with the rocker cover gasket.

On a one off job like that, i would get a genuine BMW gasket. Cheap ones are often made from paper, the BMW one will most likely be a metal gasket and of superior quality.

Another reason I wanted it done, cause I am carrying out a coolant flush and a oil change simultaneously. Thought it'd be the perfect time to get this out of the way

Hxm99 · 03-02-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajB

As Phil has said, I would give the area a good clean and check from there to see if there is a leak. The residue you are seeing could be from oil changes etc that haven't been cleaned up properly afterwards etc.

No point changing it if it's not leaking.

Is it safe to use All purpose cleaner and then pressure wash the area?

Pittz1 · 03-02-2021, 02:22 PM

Yes, just be mindful of connectors and not to use high pressure near wires or plugs that could come loose. No reason why you can't. Anyone that says otherwise has never detailed cars before. Just be mindful. I always run the engine after a good cleaning to evap the remaining water.

autoart · 03-02-2021, 02:30 PM

I would cover the alternator with a plastic bag before cleaning.

RajB · 03-02-2021, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hxm99

Is it safe to use All purpose cleaner and then pressure wash the area?

Deffo use APC but I never use a pressure washer. I agitate the APC and then start the car and use a hose to just wash it off avoiding the filters etc.

Connectors aren’t too bad using a hose as it doesn’t force water into the connector.

Chappers 71 · 03-02-2021, 02:51 PM

^
This

Pittz1 · 03-20-2021, 08:25 AM

Just used power washer on the engine. Mindful of connectors and went at it. Front of my engine is like new. Zero issues.

03-01-2021, 08:51 AM	#1
Hxm99 Private First Class 2 Rep 106 Posts Drives: BMW 325i E93 Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Slough iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2015 4 series conve ... [0.00]	OFHG- Help required hello guys I've searched the forum throughout and couldn't really find much on this topic, probably cos its very basic. I'm looking to do my OFHG as preventative maint. I'll do the oil cooler gasket at the same time too, but I'm unsure what else needs done, an acquaintance once said some o ring needs replacing too. can someone list the parts and tools I'll need for this? can I reuse the same bolts? Vehicle: 2007 E93 325i(N53 engine)
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03-01-2021, 10:17 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Personal view, I wouldn't do this as preventive. Why not wait until it leaks? My N53 has done 114K and still hasn't leaked, so I'm leaving well alone. If you decide to go ahead, this is the best 'how to' vid I found (avoids draining coolant): __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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03-01-2021, 03:18 PM	#4
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Don't know how many miles you've done, but I would clean up the whole area and see if you get any signs of leaking after that. I've no experience of eBay gaskets, sorry. I change my serpentine belt and tensioner every 50K. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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03-02-2021, 09:00 AM	#5
RajB Brigadier General 448 Rep 3,312 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (4)	As Phil has said, I would give the area a good clean and check from there to see if there is a leak. The residue you are seeing could be from oil changes etc that haven't been cleaned up properly afterwards etc. No point changing it if it's not leaking. __________________ E92 335i / M3 Hybrid - The Build
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03-02-2021, 09:54 AM	#6
0l0dom0l0 First Lieutenant 69 Rep 316 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Give it a good clean and leave it well alone if its not leaking. Even if it starts to leak it isn't going to leave you stranded at the side of the road. I've done various things and on a 13 year old car you could argue every component needs replacing but where do you draw the line - this for me is an example of something that you don't need to do unless its causing you a problem. Same with the rocker cover gasket. On a one off job like that, i would get a genuine BMW gasket. Cheap ones are often made from paper, the BMW one will most likely be a metal gasket and of superior quality.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2021, 02:22 PM	#9
Pittz1 2018 M3 ZCP / 06 330xi 211 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 330xi 2006 / 18 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Yes, just be mindful of connectors and not to use high pressure near wires or plugs that could come loose. No reason why you can't. Anyone that says otherwise has never detailed cars before. Just be mindful. I always run the engine after a good cleaning to evap the remaining water.
	Appreciate 1 Hxm991.50 Quote

03-02-2021, 02:30 PM	#10
autoart Colonel 347 Rep 2,281 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e90 M/ 22 X3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (8)	I would cover the alternator with a plastic bag before cleaning.
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03-02-2021, 02:51 PM	#12
Chappers 71 Major General 5480 Rep 5,421 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	^ This __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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03-20-2021, 08:25 AM	#13
Pittz1 2018 M3 ZCP / 06 330xi 211 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 330xi 2006 / 18 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Just used power washer on the engine. Mindful of connectors and went at it. Front of my engine is like new. Zero issues.
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