Oil filter housing rubber mount broken (also steering servo fluid reservoir)

DavidS · 2nd September 2005, 00:03

I have noticed a broken oil filter housing mount on my car (and fixed it) and then today I saw the exact same problem on another M5, so I post some info.

I think the reason the rubber mount broke might be stress from when tightening the oil filter cap with a torque wrench without holding the housing with the other hand thus letting the rubber mounts absorb the torque.

The oil filter housing is held in place by two rubber mounts. There are two screws moulded into each rubber mount.

Th eoil filter housing is secured to the rubber mount by two nuts. the nuts are reusable.

The rubber mountings are screwed into nuts which are welded to the holder.
To remove an unbroken but cracked rubber mount, just grip its top side screw with a pair of pliers and turn it.

To remove a broken rubber mount, grip the screw on the BOTTOM SIDE of the holder with a suitably small pair of pliers. (If you try to grip the broken rubber part on the top side, you will probably just scratch the holder. Bin there...)

BMW part number : Rubber mount 11 42 1 407 441 (2 pcs)

The steering servo fluid reservoir is located next to the oil filter housing. It is mounted in a similair way. On both cars the rubber mounts for thr servo fluid reservoir showed cracks.

BMW part number is 64 12 1 365 602 (2 pcs)

David

TCM · 2nd September 2005, 05:51

This is very common on the E39 V8s. I think I have replaced 3 on my M5 alone, and countless others. It is an important thing to check out as without the oil filter housing pulls on the oil lines and can create a massive oil leak. Thanks for posting this David.

greg · 2nd September 2005, 06:34

But why would you ever re-tighten the oil filter with a torque wrench? It has an o-ring. Hand tight + 1/8 turn is PLENTY.

DavidS · 2nd September 2005, 08:18

It says in the BMW workshop manual to either hand-tighthen or torque to 25 Nm with a torque wrench.

With both methods you will need to counterbalance the torque by holding the oil filter housing with your hand, or there will be considerable stress on the rubber mounts.

David

mchin · 3rd September 2005, 04:39

I just had my oil changed at a local dealer last weekend.

I go to check the oil the following Tuesday and find the same problem. It was clearly done when the tech tightened the cap.

Returned to the dealer and I am waiting for the part.

I was actually considering trying to fix the problem by drilling through the remainig rubber on the broken side and pushing a longer screw through the hole and using the old bolt. but then again, if I did not break it why should I try and fix it.

funny thing is I was wondering if this happens frequently since the design seems open to this type of failure. Does anyone know why BMW wanted to have the filter housing mounted on rubber bushings instead of being attached to the block like an E36?

Thanks, Michael.

bgregg · 9th April 2006, 05:33

Wish I had read this post sooner. Thanks for posting it DavidS.
Today was oil change day and this post was useful. Part #20 on the diagram is very suceptible, but at least it is inexpensive.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...64&hg=11&fg=30

Now I can say, been there done that. -Bill

HDClown · 9th April 2006, 15:40

Gotta love this board. I would have never thought to check that until when I went to change my oil in another 6k miles or so as I just had Inspection II done at the dealer. Well, I go out to check and what do I find, one of the mounts is broken. It was not broken when I changed the oil 7k miles ago, so the dealer did it.

I'm just going to fix it myself though. A few bucks in parts is worth the hours I'll have to waste with the dealer.

bayerischemotor · 10th April 2006, 14:38

Mine has the same defects. Parts ordered.

M5finally · 18th April 2007, 03:42

Was going to start a new thread about this, but thank god I didn't... Did the oil on my girls car and found both mounts broken. I had to tie wrap the filter housing for now, but I need those mounts. Anywhere other than BMW, or maybe online ?????
Tom

Need4Spd · 18th April 2007, 06:10

I've had to replace mine, too. One broke and the other was marginal. It's easy to get oil on the rubber, which over time weakens them.

No place to get them other than the dealer (including those who sell on the Internet or by mail order).