[F22leo]

So I just got done doing my serpentine belt assembly today and would like to change my oil filter gasket ASAP since it leaking a very slight amount.( don't want it to leak on the belt and assembly) my question is do I need to drain the coolant when I do this job, because I've heard this allows air to get into the coolant system. Any advice appreciated.

[Efthreeoh]

Do the gasket at your next oil change and drain some of the coolant. If the coolant is not old, then all you need to do is drain about a quart. Once the gasket is in, then refill the cooling system and follow the very simple bleed procedure.

Leaving the oil and coolant in the oil filter housing just makes a mess.

[F22leo]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Do the gasket at your next oil change and drain some of the coolant. If the coolant is not old, then all you need to do is drain about a quart. Once the gasket is in, then refill the cooling system and follow the very simple bleed procedure.

Leaving the oil and coolant in the oil filter housing just makes a mess.

Thank you, exactly what I was hoping

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by e92leo

Thank you, exactly what I was hoping

So some advice. Read the DIY on E90 post. It has a good amount of information. It's been discovered that the plastic hose bib fitting that sits in the cylinderhead for the coolant hose that goes to the thermostat weakens over time and can break if force is applied to it. Some people remove the t-stat hose to get more room to work the lower of the three OFH bolts. When they go to remove the t-stat hose, the bib breaks.

The good news is there is an aluminum retrofit part available on line from e-bay and Amazon. Based on the age of your car, you may want to replace the plastic bib, while you have the coolant drained. If you remove the bib to replace it, drain more coolant, which is just let the radiator drain.

I posted a DIY on how to replace it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-N53-325...-/263430188575

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So some advice. Read the DIY on E90 post. It has a good amount of information. It's been discovered that the plastic hose bib fitting that sits in the cylinderhead for the coolant hose that goes to the thermostat weakens over time and can break if force is applied to it. Some people remove the t-stat hose to get more room to work the lower of the three OFH bolts. When they go to remove the t-stat hose, the bib breaks.

The good news is there is an aluminum retrofit part available on line from e-bay and Amazon. Based on the age of your car, you may want to replace the plastic bib, while you have the coolant drained. If you remove the bib to replace it, drain more coolant, which is just let the radiator drain.

I posted a DIY on how to replace it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-N53-325...-/263430188575

+1

I use the OFHG change on an N52 as an opportunity to upgrade the plastic bib to an aluminum one, but if you are not able to do this, an E10 ratcheting wrench can be used to remove the bottom OFH bolt without removing the plastic bib and risk breaking it.