E63 6 series oil pressure switch ? whereabouts on engine ?

[tregger]

put my 645 into local garage to look for oil leak source ,
collected it & was told "its coming from somewhere up behind the alternator "
is the oil pressure switch around there or are there other possible culprits in the vicinity ?
the garage did suggest "possibly" front chain cover or the head gasket leaking externally ,
they also ruled out the usual rocker covers & plastic autobox casing but did admit when i asked that they couldn't even find the oil pressure switch which i believe is a common leaker ?

[BMWEnthusiasts]

Hi tregger, I too have had the same issue, twice in 12 months!

if you look at the engine from the front of the car, it's on the left hand side of the engine, only accessable from underneath.

The part is about £8 - £9 from BMW and I'd definitely recommend the genuine part as my first replacement was an ECP own brand one as the local stealer didn't have stock. It failed within 9 months and so I've not long replaced it with a genuine BMW one.

Shouldn't be more than about £60 fitted although if you're that way inclined, very easy to fit yourself apparently...

[BMWEnthusiasts]

Another thing as well, whilst you're under the bonnet, check the vaccuum pump seals too as all sorts of gaskets and seals go on these 6ers, I'm assuming you've got the 645ci? Loads of fun fixing the bloody things!! lol

[tregger]

BMWEnthusiasts said:

Hi tregger, I too have had the same issue, twice in 12 months!

if you look at the engine from the front of the car, it's on the left hand side of the engine, only accessable from underneath.

The part is about £8 - £9 from BMW and I'd definitely recommend the genuine part as my first replacement was an ECP own brand one as the local stealer didn't have stock. It failed within 9 months and so I've not long replaced it with a genuine BMW one.

Shouldn't be more than about £60 fitted although if you're that way inclined, very easy to fit yourself apparently...

so is it near the alternator ? guess not cause it would be more involved changing it ?
has been suggested there is a 0 ring gasket behind alternator ?

[BMWEnthusiasts]

Hi mate, I'm not 100% sure where the alternator is but you don't have to touch it to change an oil pressure switch? Without wanting to be rude about your local garage, are they a BMW secialist? Oil pressure switch is certainly a common issue as are many of the seals around the N62 engine.

Here's a diagram on RealOem - http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EK72&amp... and the part number is 12617568480 for the oil pressure switch.

Hope this helps.

Whilst it's in, also get the gearbox sump checked for hairline cracks, they tend to go around 50k and are about £400 to sort, however better spending that than having all of your oil disappear out of your sump and needing a new gearbox at c£6k! Don't want to scare monger at all but well worth getting checked out.

[tregger]

garage was a local porsche specialist who i used with previous 911,s without fault ,perhaps they should have declined when i asked them to take a look at the 6series ? anyhow , ive progressed a little ,
a friend put me onto a ex bmw tech(15yrs exp)now solo , went in yesterday for a looking over , he was much less panicked & between us have calmly decided to replace the leaking oil pressure switch & also switch the oil from 0w30(thin for a 66k 7yr old V8) to 5w40 total £130 .
next move after that is 2 x cam cover gaskets & engine cover gasket approx total £350?
have done some research myself though & it seems the alternator is bolted through the engine block with fixing plate & does have a O ring gasket which is prone to leakage ?? a £2 washer but 6/8 hrs to change ?
on the plus side the techie was convinced the car has been well looked after & the leaks were nothing major with regard usual 645's , ,
collect monday , monitor & see how it goes , ,its not exactly pissing oil , just a few drops which i would like to cure