[Mach550]

Decided to do oil changes in between the ones I do at the dealer. I've been searching the forums and googling today but I can't seem to find the actual hex size for the oil drain plug? All I can find are the specs for the plug itself but not the hex to remove it

Oil drain plug on oil sump
M18x1.5
Tightening torque
40Nm

Already ordered the 86mm 16 flute for the filter housing, anyone bother swapping for a magnetic drain plug?

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Mach550

Decided to do oil changes in between the ones I do at the dealer. I've been searching the forums and googling today but I can't seem to find the actual hex size for the oil drain plug? All I can find are the specs for the plug itself but not the hex to remove it

Oil drain plug on oil sump
M18x1.5
Tightening torque
40Nm

Already ordered the 86mm 16 flute for the filter housing, anyone bother swapping for a magnetic drain plug?

8mm Allen socket for the drain plug.

I've never used magnetic drain plugs...and there have been reports over the years of the magnet coming loose or in the case of aluminum versions, the bolt cracking. I would only get a magnetic one that is from a known source, with many satisfied users. My personal preference is avoid. I have two current vehicles (one an BMW E39 540 M-Sport) each with over 360,000 miles without use of magnetic drain plugs.

Tightening torque is 20NM for drain plug. 40NM for oil filter cap, but that is the FINAL torque value. For the oil filter cap, you first tighten to 30NM, then loosen by 180 degrees, then achieve the final torque of 40NM.

I have all the details I made in a thread. If you don't follow the procedure on the oil filter cap, it can leak otherwise. I had to take my car back to the dealer as they did not tighten it sufficiently. I did the same on my first oil change, until I learned the correct procedure.

I believe BMW came up with the oil filter cap tightening procedure, as the only other way to get it to not leak is to go way tighter initially, which risks breaking the cap.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2093796

[Mach550]

thanks for all the extra info!

[justinbleach]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

Tightening torque is 20NM for drain plug. 40NM for oil filter cap, but that is the FINAL torque value. For the oil filter cap, you first tighten to 30NM, then loosen by 180 degrees, then achieve the final torque of 40NM.

Have a 2021 540i with b58tu engine and I just ran out to my car with a flashlight and checked for an oil leak around the filter and didn't find any thank goodness. It's been about 200 miles since I did my last change and all I did was tighten the oil filter cap until it felt tight!

Funnily enough I did torque the nut underneath to 25nm but had no idea the filter cap required this procedure. I really hate how hidden this kind of maintenance information is hidden from us.