BMW Repair in Sterling and Vienna, VA

Common Complaint: Leaky Oil Filter Gasket

Your Favorite Car

We get you. Even if you have multiple vehicles sitting in your driveway, your BMW is likely your favorite. Drivers who are partial to the brand simply love their sleek, technologically advanced European transportation. The team at Auto Stop Elite in Sterling and Vienna, Virginia, want to help you keep your beloved luxury vehicle in prime condition. Like all automobiles, yours needs preventive maintenance services and timely repairs. Count on our experienced ASE Master-certified technicians for help with all your car care needs, including the notorious leaky oil filter gasket.

The Oil Filter Gasket

Motor oil is vital to the function and longevity of your automobile. It lubricates the moving metal engine parts, absorbs some of the heat generated by friction, and grabs onto dirt and debris that would otherwise scar internal surfaces. To ensure that the unwanted particles do not continue to circulate, your auto has an oil filter to capture them. Where the oil filter housing meets the cylinder head, a rubber gasket creates a seal to prevent oil leaks. In any car, this seal can deteriorate, allowing lubricant to escape. The BMW brand, however, is known for a greater-than-expected number of oil leaks, with some models/engines actually being notorious for this issue. Worse, the escaping fluid can trickle onto other components, compounding the problem when those parts begin failing as a result.

Don’t Ignore the Problem

Most drivers are busy, so it’s tempting to ignore an oil leak, especially if it appears to be a small one. It’s important that BMW owners don’t do that. The small leak you see is more than an aggravation and a mess around the engine. Oil leaks never get better on their own, and they typically get worse over time. In the meantime, the oil filter gasket seepage in some BMW engines can lead to a heap of trouble. Due to its location, the gasket drip can extend downward onto the timing cover. Over time, it can also contaminate the crankshaft pulley and serpentine belt, causing the belt to come unsituated from its seat on the tensioner pulley. As this happens, the belt is ripped into shreds that pierce the front crank seal. This can lead to extensive engine damage or even catastrophic engine failure if rubber shavings prevent oil uptake. Thus, a minor repair can lead to an engine replacement if not taken care of in a timely manner. Keep your vehicle healthy, and save yourself a major–and expensive–headache. If you suspect an oil filter gasket leak, schedule an appointment for BMW repair with the professionals at Auto Stop Elite.