oil leak at oil filter housing lid

[cormy]

I have had a leak at the lid of the oil filter housing for some time. It has gotten progessivly worse, to the point were it is now leaving a puddle on the driveway. I replace my filter and rubber o-ring at the same time. I use aftermarket filters and o-rings from Napa and such. I believe the lid is on tight enough, do you think the aftermarket o-ring is inferior to OEM and allowing the leak?

Is this a common problem with these units?

[floydr]

Sounds like the o-ring isn't seated, or is too small in diameter.

Order a Mann OEM filter from Bavarian Auto (or other BMW speciality online retailer), and see if that fixes the problem. Mann filters are no more expensive than Purolator or whatever.

[cormy]

Well I bought & installed a genuine BMW o-ring, total $14 for a rubber ring!! Anyway, the BMW one and aftermarket ring looked indentical.

Well see.......

[Pooka]

[robertplattbell]

Maybe the E53 design has been improved, but some have reported oil filter housings cracking on older BMWs such as E36s.

Are you sure it is coming from the top and not somewhere else?