N54 engine oil help please

[freenote]

All,

Purchased a 135i last week and notice some oil pooling in the little dip by the filter cap. Decided to take out the filter and have a look.
The oil level is right to the top, almost so much that when you put the filter back in it could overflow if not careful.

Is this too much oil?

And could it be a reason for the leak?

I’m planning on doing a change myself anyway so I know it has 5w 40 in there but want to make sure I’m not running it at dangerous levels in the meantime.

Any help appreciated.

[megenzo]

its a common thing, the oil filter housing gasket is leaking. Mine has it at thy moment and will be fixed soon. I think its a DIY job too but one of the bolts can be a biatch to get to so mine will be done under the extended warranty.

[freenote]

Thanks.

Aware of the ofhg issue but wanted to check if the oil level is too high and I’d thats dangerous for the engine.

Will look at the gasket in due course but this leak is higher up by the filter cap.

[BOR]

There is a drain hole a the base of the oil filter housing to allow oil to drain back through the cylinder head to the sump.

If the housing is full of oil then something is not correct.

I think it could be worth draining the oil in this case.

If it is overfilled to this extent, you could end up with the crank dipping into the oil an aerating it, which means the bearings will not see a good volume of oil.

If you aren't getting any tappet noise, it's probably not too bad.

[freenote]

Ok great thanks. Do you have a pic link of the drain hole? Could this be blocked?

[helix402]

Step 1: check oil level, using dipstick if available or cluster/I drive if no dip stick.

Step 2: diagnose source of oil leak, maybe oil filter lid o-ring or one or both of the oil filter housing gaskets.

If you remove the oil filter lid without draining the oil it will be full of oil. This is normal.