N52 metal shavings in oil filter housing

Ryan1963 · 08-01-2023, 04:57 PM

Irregular shaped hole located at right of photo is crumbling around the edges and there are metal shards sitting in the oil filter housing. The oil cap has been leaking recently so I purchased a new cap to change it out and change the oil when I noticed the deteriorated edges of the hole along with metal shards sitting there. I think it’s called the oil-in hole. Any ideas?

Ryan1963 · 08-01-2023, 05:30 PM

Hole on the left side is where edges are crumbling. Photo was inverted.

TriumphTim · 08-02-2023, 06:21 AM

Are you sure those dark particles are metal? Usually metal chips are shiny...

I think that hole may just be a rough casting,

SonicBlueStage2 · 08-02-2023, 09:24 AM

That sucks. I DIY everything but this calls for a professional mechanic. Hopefully it's easy to fix with a new oil filter housing and a flush with cheap oil.

Phil325i · 08-02-2023, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriumphTim

I think that hole may just be a rough casting,

+1 There's no way that alloy casting would 'crumble'. The only thing it does is act as an oil passageway.

PhaceN52 · 08-02-2023, 11:10 AM

Mmmh that's not too good, if you still have the old filter cut it and check inside the grooves
Any noises on cold start/codes? A long shot before rod bearings, that are not too common on N52s, could be stuck check valves letting pressure drop in the head on deceleration, wearing the aluminum chain tensioner and/or bearing ledges.. how is the intake cam looking through the oil cap, badly scratched?
Last, are those particles magnetic?
As the boys said, no way it's from that hole "crumbling"

Try draining the oil and check for "forbidden glitter", if there's not it could be salvageable

08-01-2023, 04:57 PM	#1
Ryan1963 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2007 328i e92 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tijuana, Baja CA, Mexico iTrader: (0)	N52 metal shavings in oil filter housing Irregular shaped hole located at right of photo is crumbling around the edges and there are metal shards sitting in the oil filter housing. The oil cap has been leaking recently so I purchased a new cap to change it out and change the oil when I noticed the deteriorated edges of the hole along with metal shards sitting there. I think it’s called the oil-in hole. Any ideas? Attached Images Last edited by Ryan1963; 08-01-2023 at 05:29 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-01-2023, 05:30 PM	#2
Ryan1963 New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2007 328i e92 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tijuana, Baja CA, Mexico iTrader: (0)	Hole on the left side is where edges are crumbling. Photo was inverted.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2023, 06:21 AM	#3
TriumphTim Private 74 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Perkasie PA iTrader: (0)	Are you sure those dark particles are metal? Usually metal chips are shiny... I think that hole may just be a rough casting,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2023, 09:24 AM	#4
SonicBlueStage2 Private 5 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	That sucks. I DIY everything but this calls for a professional mechanic. Hopefully it's easy to fix with a new oil filter housing and a flush with cheap oil.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2023, 11:10 AM	#6
PhaceN52 Private First Class 174 Rep 189 Posts Drives: '06 E90 N52B30 US spec Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Italy, Dolomites iTrader: (0)	Mmmh that's not too good, if you still have the old filter cut it and check inside the grooves Any noises on cold start/codes? A long shot before rod bearings, that are not too common on N52s, could be stuck check valves letting pressure drop in the head on deceleration, wearing the aluminum chain tensioner and/or bearing ledges.. how is the intake cam looking through the oil cap, badly scratched? Last, are those particles magnetic? As the boys said, no way it's from that hole "crumbling" Try draining the oil and check for "forbidden glitter", if there's not it could be salvageable Last edited by PhaceN52; 08-02-2023 at 11:16 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote