[delmarco]

I don't understand why my engine bay gets so dirty when I drive less than 500 miles a month (mostly on sunny fair weather weekends).

Any way what is this leak here? I'm pretty sure some of that is the OFHG leaking but any opinions? Also what is that white spotty stuff forming on my OFH?

Do Engine oil gaskets on the E90 cars go so quickly after 5 years/49,000 miles? (My E46 2001 330i M54 engine gaskets lasted 12 years and 80,000 miles before I got leaks, My E36 1995 318i M42 engine gaskets lasted 14 years and 150,000 miles)

[Flyboy161]

Actually, that looks more like the oil filter housing gasket leaking to me. A friend of mine told me that BMW makes their gaskets, wiring, and rubber window seals out of a biodegradable material. He was joking with me when I bought my first BMW, but now 3 years later....I'm inclined to agree with him.

[mxchris727]

NY is a dirty place! The white spots are corrosion from road salt.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by mxchris727

NY is a dirty place! The white spots are corrosion from road salt.

Strange. I've driven my older BMW cars thru more winter snow and salt than this one into the 100,000 miles and didn't get that much grime from road salt "under the hood". My 330i didn't even have an under carriage cover for 50,000 miles of driving and the engine bay was spotless.

I'm wondering if that is an E90 design flaw that lets in a lot more elements into the engine bay from normal driving?

There is no way my engine bay should look like that especially when the car was garaged for the most part of the New York winter.

I may have to google N55/N54 E90 engine bay washing procedures

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by delmarco

Strange. I've driven my older BMW cars thru more winter snow and salt than this one into the 100,000 miles and didn't get that much grime from road salt "under the hood". My 330i didn't even have an under carriage cover for 50,000 miles of driving and the engine bay was spotless.

I'm wondering if that is an E90 design flaw that lets in a lot more elements into the engine bay from normal driving?

There is no way my engine bay should look like that especially when the car was garaged for the most part of the New York winter.

I may have to google N55/N54 E90 engine bay washing procedures

I wouldnt worry about the dirty engine bay this much... just drive the car man.

pressure washing your engine bay would probably do more harm then good anyways. someone on this forum thought it was a good idea to wash the engine bay with the plastic cover removed and got a misfire.. so be careful.

as for the salt/corrosion on your OFH, I have that too for some reason. your OFHG appears to be sweating/leaking a little but it doesnt look too serious yet? I think.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Get the VANOS recall done and you'll get yourself a free VCG, sometimes an oil pan gasket depending on what needs to be done.

OFHG and VCG tend to last around 60k miles in my experience.

The dirty oil under the cap happened on my car as well. I solved it by just replacing the oil cap.

[robthewrench]

Originally Posted by Flyboy161

Actually, that looks more like the oil filter housing gasket leaking to me. A friend of mine told me that BMW makes their gaskets, wiring, and rubber window seals out of a biodegradable material. He was joking with me when I bought my first BMW, but now 3 years later....I'm inclined to agree with him.

I agree, the OFHG appears to have a small leak.

[delmarco]

BMW Of Westchester just quoted me $1303.09 to replace the "three" oil filter housing gaskets...so please explain how I can procure a vanos recall to get the OFHG done for free?

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Get the VANOS recall done and you'll get yourself a free VCG, sometimes an oil pan gasket depending on what needs to be done.

OFHG and VCG tend to last around 60k miles in my experience.

The dirty oil under the cap happened on my car as well. I solved it by just replacing the oil cap.

[n55jb4]

Originally Posted by delmarco

BMW Of Westchester just quoted me $1303.09 to replace the "three" oil filter housing gaskets...so please explain how I can procure a vanos recall to get the OFHG done for free?

Haha, that price is amazin actually, considering how expensive stealerships are.

Anyway, OFHG is probably easiest to DIY if you want. Gasket cost pennies and the job can be done in 1-2h

[delmarco]

I think I may just replace the entire housing and not just the gaskets. The shop want the same price for replacing the gasket as if i was to buy the entire hoousing, cap with gaskets installed and diy. I really do not like that white salty corrosion on the housing.

[07lilredwagon]

You have the typical oil leaks these cars develop. OFH does not need to be replaced, just the gasket. a little wire brushing and some silver paint and your back in business. That gasket does degrade and could send clumps into your coolant EVENTUALLY if left unchecked...this could mess with your water pump down the road...but its unlikely this soon.

Vanos seals can be replaced very easily....there is a diy kit from several sources.

Your engine bay is NOT that dirty...but instead of a pressure wash, get the car detailed inside and out....including the engine bay.

o rings on all the hoses give out over time, as do the oil pan gasket......but not for another 60,000-100,000 miles in your case!

JP