Oil Filter Housing - Help! - United Bimmer Community

**komodo** · 01-02-2006, 06:15 PM

All right, I had a small to medium sized oil leak on my car, and I took it in to the shop this morning to get it looked at (Performing Imports in Alpharetta).

They called me later on and said my Oil Filter Housing is cracked, and to replace it would cost about $700.

I was taken back by that amount... I didn't think it would be that expensive. I told him I'd get back to him tomorrow morning with a direction to go.

My question is has anyone dealt with this before? Does that price seem right? Are there any alternatives? Any information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

DEATH2000 · 01-02-2006, 06:22 PM

I have to swing by the dealership tommorow so ill ask them how much the fiilter housing should cost and expected labour time.

**catalyst** · 01-02-2006, 06:57 PM

It costs 300 from according to real oem.

Apparently the metal housings just bolt on, so i would just find a used metal one and put that on.

**komodo** · 01-02-2006, 06:59 PM

Another important question, I sourced a used oil filter housing off an 1998 328i for $50.

Is the OFH on an 1998 the same as my 1997 (build date sept. 96)?

Thanks.

**komodo** · 01-02-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catalyst

It costs 300 from according to real oem.

Apparently the metal housings just bolt on, so i would just find a used metal one and put that on.

Cool, do you know if I have a metal or plastic housing in my car?

**c1apton** · 01-02-2006, 07:00 PM

Harry, that housing sells for like $305 plus, cap & gaskets alone. I'ld ask to actually see the crack, it's not a real likely part to fail.

**catalyst** · 01-02-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

Cool, do you know if I have a metal or plastic housing in my car?

328's have pastic housings, pretty stupid if you ask me, i think everything but the 328 has the metal one, maybe not the 323.

**komodo** · 01-02-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1apton

Harry, that housing sells for like $305 plus, cap & gaskets alone. I'ld ask to actually see the crack, it's not a real likely part to fail.

Hum, he said it was a pretty common thing.

The thing is this shop is known through other BMW forums as being pretty fair...

If I got the part myself, how hard is it to install?

**Spieluhr** · 01-02-2006, 08:28 PM

i dont know how hard it would be exactly, but im sure you could tackle it, go get Robstah to help you out.

**xsperf** · 01-02-2006, 08:42 PM

does the metal housing from a 325 fit? if it does,that would be cool, but as clapton says, its not that big of a deal, grab some quicksteel or JB weld or something and just put it over the crack, you should be fine

**///M Power** · 01-02-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catalyst

328's have pastic housings, pretty stupid if you ask me, i think everything but the 328 has the metal one, maybe not the 323.

Yep! Try and find a guy who is parting out his car. I know 95's and 96 M3's came with the metal one for sure. $700 for a cracked oil housing. Lmao.

**jrhaile** · 01-02-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

All right, I had a small to medium sized oil leak on my car, and I took it in to the shop this morning to get it looked at (Performing Imports in Alpharetta).

They called me later on and said my Oil Filter Housing is cracked, and to replace it would cost about $700.

I was taken back by that amount... I didn't think it would be that expensive. I told him I'd get back to him tomorrow morning with a direction to go.

My question is has anyone dealt with this before? Does that price seem right? Are there any alternatives? Any information on this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

WAY TOO MUCH! You can find a good used one for around 100-200. I had one about 4 months back which I sold for 50 bucks. Check junkyards and replace it yourself. 4 bolts and easy enough to do.

**94bmw325i** · 01-02-2006, 11:30 PM

yeah my car has had an oil leak since around the time I bought it, I need to look at it, its either the oil filter housing, or something else. I wasn't quoted at $700 tho, closer to $500.

DEATH2000 · 01-02-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Yep! Try and find a guy who is parting out his car. I know 95's and 96 M3's came with the metal one for sure. $700 for a cracked oil housing. Lmao.

Catylst might be buying a wrecked M3 soon so maybe u can get the one of that cheap.

**komodo** · 01-03-2006, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaile

WAY TOO MUCH! You can find a good used one for around 100-200. I had one about 4 months back which I sold for 50 bucks. Check junkyards and replace it yourself. 4 bolts and easy enough to do.

Hum, would I have to drain and refill the whole system?

Ha, witeshark, how's your car running? You're the only mod with a working car now.