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OFHG Rage!

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filter housing ofhg oil leak
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C

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I have been a member on here for a while and performed numerous DIYs including the dreaded starter replacement. (which turned out to be good. :facepalm:) I followed the OFHG replacement DIY with no issues, except that it leaks worse now than before.

I seated the gasket properly and used 24 Nm torque in a cross pattern on the bolts. I also replaced the Vanos oil line and the crush washers. I have taken the housing off a couple of times now to make sure I did everything correctly. The third time is supposed to be a charm right?! I'm trying to stay calm because I love the car, but I'm about ready to rage and sell it if I can't fix it.

I noticed in the OFHG DIY several people have the same issue, but I haven't seen anyone post what the final outcome was.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for the help in advance.
 
M

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#3 ·
Maybe the mating surface of the OFH is warped? Maybe it was overtorqued before, or overheated, or any of the hundred other things that causes aluminum to warp easliy. Could be your didnt clean the mating surfaces well enough? Maybe you put the bolts back incorrectly, I believe they are different lengths. Did you use any sealant on the gasket at all? If so that could be why its leaking. If you did all these things then maybe its something else leaking?
 
C

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
I tried to clean the surfaces well, the bolts are in the correct order and I was careful not to over torque. I believe I was the first take it off. I hope it isn't warped, but is there a good way to tell? Aside from an oil leak.
 
BMWCaptain

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#5 · (Edited)
Check the plug on the side of the OFH. I had a slow leak from the plug on the side of the OFH. I just sealed it with RTV sealant and haven't had a problem. I always do it when I do the OFH.
 
BMWCaptain

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#7 ·
There is a plug on the back side (faces the firewall) that will have a metal plug installed on th earlier e46s, or will be plugged with a torx head bolt plug. It is right in the middle of the side.
 
G

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#10 · (Edited)
Cpt. Planet said:
I'm pretty sure the OFH is the source. There is oil in the tell-tell spot.
Click to expand...
If there is oil on the waffle iron then you are correct its too high to be the oil pan gasket.

From my time on the forums I have heard that some poeple have to replace the housing itself to finally rectify thier OFHG leak. Seems the housing itself can warp/become damaged in such a way to require replacement.
 
J

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#12 ·
Have a look at the link below. When I initially looked at this engine prior to pulling it apart, it looked like the OFHG was leaking. It was only after digging a little deeper that I found that this was not the case, it was the oil separator. The tell tale waffle iron spot can get oil from either the OFH or the oil separator. Scroll down and have a look at the pictures, and you will see what I mean. This may be your problem.


http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=900804
 
M

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#14 ·
jjrichar said:
Have a look at the link below. When I initially looked at this engine prior to pulling it apart, it looked like the OFHG was leaking. It was only after digging a little deeper that I found that this was not the case, it was the oil separator. The tell tale waffle iron spot can get oil from either the OFH or the oil separator. Scroll down and have a look at the pictures, and you will see what I mean. This may be your problem.


http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=900804
Click to expand...
how can i be sure if it's really an OFHG or oil separator??? im doing this on my next oil change (4K miles).. do you have better photos for the oil separator??

BTW love all your detailed DIY.. please keep em coming.. thanks.
 :thumbup:
 
J

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#15 ·
I don't have any more pictures, but look again at the photos in the thread. You will notice that when the OFH is removed, the waffle iron beneath (that isn't visible untile you remove the OFH) is perfectly clean. Rearwards of this you can see all the oil staining. This to me shows that the OFHG is good. To find out prior to pulling of the OFH, I would look at the forward part of the oil pan (just behind the power steering pump, and directly below the OFH). If there is oil dripping down there, the OFH is the problem. If it is further back, then the oil separator is most likely the culprit. Jack the car up and have a good look underneath.
 
C

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
BMWCaptain said:
There is a plug on the back side (faces the firewall) that will have a metal plug installed on th earlier e46s, or will be plugged with a torx head bolt plug. It is right in the middle of the side.
Click to expand...
So I finally had time to get in and check it out. It is the plugs on the firewall side of the housing. These are referred to as the freeze plugs.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4701933

Here is a link for reference. Unfortunately I have the push in plug instead of the torx head plug. For now I am trying my luck with JB Weld. I'm not recommending it, just updating what I found out and how I'm dealing with it.
 
N

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#18 ·
OFHG or CCV. whichever the culprit might be, keep them in your crosshairs at all times. I don't care who looks more suspicious. to me, they're both guilty until proven innocent.
 
BMWCaptain

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#19 ·
Cpt. Planet said:
So I finally had time to get in and check it out. It is the plugs on the firewall side of the housing. These are referred to as the freeze plugs.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4701933

Here is a link for reference. Unfortunately I have the push in plug instead of the torx head plug. For now I am trying my luck with JB Weld. I'm not recommending it, just updating what I found out and how I'm dealing with it.
Click to expand...
I am glad my information led you to your fix. I don't know why they call them freeze plugs, because they have nothing to do with coolant. I think someone referred to them as passages used during manufacturing and then get plugged.

I always seal these plugs anytime i do an OFHG.
 
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BMWCaptain
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