[e91n00b]

I picked up my 2012 E91 N52 today and love it. It has 45k miles on it, one owner and a great service history at a BMW dealership. One thing to note is, I do not think they did the OFHG. It seems that this is more of a time issue than a mileage one. Is this something I should do ASAP, should I monitor for leaks or not worry about it til itis closer to 60k?

Thanks from a first time BMW owner!

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by e91n00b

I picked up my 2012 E91 N52 today and love it. It has 45k miles on it, one owner and a great service history at a BMW dealership. One thing to note is, I do not think they did the OFHG. It seems that this is more of a time issue than a mileage one. Is this something I should do ASAP, should I monitor for leaks or not worry about it til itis closer to 60k?

Thanks from a first time BMW owner!

The reason why I changed mine was simply due to the fact there was a bit of slight sludge oil/coolant mix under my coolant cap. I did not have any leaks in the belt area but I still changed it caused I didn't like that.

IMO if you can DIY I would do it now on a weekend. I did it paired with a oil change and coolant flush.

After removing some parts tho I did spot alot of oil leak right under the intake manifold, so I guess the housing was looking but my cooler wasn't yet why none were on the belt.

[UncleShrek]

Definitely do it if you suspect that its leaking.
Now if you can time it with an oil change or what not, that would be ideal. I great dyi of you are capable, and a weekend would be good just so you can take your time.

[tlow98]

The danger with the OFHG is that if it’s leaking it can cause the belt to slip and then your engine may injest the belt through the front crank seal and you’re looking at a possible engine replacement.

It’s cheap insurance. If it’s leakjng replace the belt and belt tensioner as well at the same time.

[e91n00b]

Originally Posted by tlow98

The danger with the OFHG is that if it’s leaking it can cause the belt to slip and then your engine may injest the belt through the front crank seal and you’re looking at a possible engine replacement.

It’s cheap insurance. If it’s leaking replace the belt and belt tensioner as well at the same time.

Yeah, insurance peace of mind is why I was asking. I don't notice any leaks but I will go ahead and order off FCP Euro so I can get it done as soon as possible. Admittedly, I have very little experience with DIY auto, but have a friend who is heavy into BMW modding, repair and racing so hopefully I can buy lunch and a 6 pack and have him help me out!

Is the tensioner/belt an easy enough DIY as well?

[e91n00b]

Also, is this the right kit?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-kit-adk0022p

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by UncleShrek

Definitely do it if you suspect that its leaking.
Now if you can time it with an oil change or what not, that would be ideal. I great dyi of you are capable, and a weekend would be good just so you can take your time.

Yeah oil leaks get worse with cooler/colder weather if you live in a seasonal place.

My local dealership wanted $1300 for the work. The gasket alone is just $10 to $20 and DIY time should be a few hours involving removal of engine trim, old gasket (possible an oil change/coolant flush) and putting everything together.

Indy shops shouldn't charge more than $500 for this work with the oil change included.

[e91n00b]

Originally Posted by delmarco

Yeah oil leaks get worse with cooler/colder weather if you live in a seasonal place.

My local dealership wanted $1300 for the work. The gasket alone is just $10 to $20 and DIY time should be a few hours involving removal of engine trim, old gasket (possible an oil change/coolant flush) and putting everything together.

Indy shops shouldn't charge more than $500 for this work with the oil change included.

Thanks, I will order the parts today for the OFHG and tensioner/belt. Can you verify these are the kits/parts I would need?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11428637821kt1

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-kit-adk0022p

[FlaPatsFan]

Originally Posted by e91n00b

I picked up my 2012 E91 N52 today and love it. It has 45k miles on it, one owner and a great service history at a BMW dealership. One thing to note is, I do not think they did the OFHG. It seems that this is more of a time issue than a mileage one. Is this something I should do ASAP, should I monitor for leaks or not worry about it til itis closer to 60k?

Thanks from a first time BMW owner!

I have a 2011 e91 and did mine at about 80,000. It had a slight leak and was covered on my extended warranty. I suggest checking frequently. I’m under my hood all the time so I caught it early.

Welcome to the Wagon Mafia!

[triax37]

Originally Posted by e91n00b

Thanks, I will order the parts today for the OFHG and tensioner/belt. Can you verify these are the kits/parts I would need?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11428637821kt1

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-kit-adk0022p

Yes, those are the correct parts.

The tensioner/belt is not too complicated. You will need a few sockets that your friend will have - a T60 socket (to release tension on the belt so that you can remove it from the different pulleys), and a variety of sockets to remove the pulleys. Probably a 2 hour job, which includes removing the air box (a few screws). There is a pretty good guide here:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...eplacement.htm

DIY: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=627158

[e91n00b]

Originally Posted by triax37

Yes, those are the correct parts.

The tensioner/belt is not too complicated. You will need a few sockets that your friend will have - a T60 socket (to release tension on the belt so that you can remove it from the different pulleys), and a variety of sockets to remove the pulleys. Probably a 2 hour job, which includes removing the air box (a few screws). There is a pretty good guide here:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...eplacement.htm

DIY: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=627158

Thanks a lot for confirming the parts and sending the links. Much appreciated!

[ryan stewart]

FYI look into a small ratcheting box wrench to get in to the bolt under the intake plenum. I did that and didnt have to mess with removing anything else.

[banglenot]

Originally Posted by e91n00b

Thanks a lot for confirming the parts and sending the links. Much appreciated!

Best way to handle this on an ongoing basis is to send the last 7 digits to the parts house with your order, saying "please confirm fitment to VIN" on the order comments.

That way if you get the wrong part it's their issue and they'll usually swap them out at their shipping cost.

Also, attached is a ongoing doc about just buying an E90. Things to know.

Welcome.

[e91n00b]

Originally Posted by banglenot

Best way to handle this on an ongoing basis is to send the last 7 digits to the parts house with your order, saying "please confirm fitment to VIN" on the order comments.

That way if you get the wrong part it's their issue and they'll usually swap them out at their shipping cost.

Also, attached is a ongoing doc about just buying an E90. Things to know.

Welcome.

Thanks! That is good to know. I ordered thru FCP Euro and it looked like they fit just fine, but being a novice when it comes to car repair DIY, I figured I would ask the more experienced owners here!

Thanks again, appreciate it!

[Bullcitybmmer]

Originally Posted by e91n00b

Thanks a lot for confirming the parts and sending the links. Much appreciated!

For the love of all that is holy in this world, do not try and use anything other than the proper T60 bit to loosen the belt tensioner. It is very easy to strip that out and cause yourself quite a headache. Learn from the mistakes of your predecessors.

[mecheng77]

If it ain’t leaking leave well enough alone

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

If it ain’t leaking leave well enough alone

Agreed. For some ppl they simply don’t leak.

My valve cover is original (90k) nothing yet but the other e90 n52 in the family was already shot at 45k. You never know...

[Greyfox]

I think I had to do my OFHG ~185k and it was more of a slow seep than leak. Wife's E90 is just over 100k and have the kit to do it.

It all depends on how much cycling of the engine temperature for when. Shorter drives will always wear out car parts faster than long range driving.

[Pladi]

do it when you can see its leaking. Dont buy into this " preventative maintenance" not for gaskets. Your original gasket can last longer than the replacement. (Potentially)

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Pladi

do it when you can see its leaking. Dont buy into this " preventative maintenance" not for gaskets. Your original gasket can last longer than the replacement. (Potentially)

Its not like the car/belt whatever will instantly fail once a leak starts.

You have a better chance of causing a leak by not doing the job properly, my gasket isn't leaking and I'm not touching it. I look inside my engine bay 1 per month.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Its not like the car/belt whatever will instantly fail once a leak starts.

You have a better chance of causing a leak by not doing the job properly, my gasket isn't leaking and I'm not touching it. I look inside my engine bay 1 per month.

So you are saying replace gaskets when they are not leaking ? What logic is this ? So please enlighten us; how do you decide when to replace a gasket ? You just made up a time ?

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Pladi

So you are saying replace gaskets when they are not leaking ? What logic is this ? So please enlighten us; how do you decide when to replace a gasket ? You just made up a time ?

You are reading this wrong, I am agreeing with you