Found oil around the filter or on the engine block of your BMW? The oil filter housing is one of the first parts to check. On many modern BMW petrol and diesel engines, the oil filter housing holds the oil filter and connects to an oil cooler. Depending on the engine design, the cooler may use engine coolant to help regulate oil temperature. The exact arrangement varies between BMW engines and models.. When it fails, you can get an oil leak, a coolant problem, or both.
What Does the BMW Oil Filter Housing Do?
The oil filter housing sits on the side of the engine block. Oil from the sump passes through the housing, gets filtered, and is cooled by the integrated oil cooler before it goes back round the engine. Coolant flows through the cooler on the other side of a sealed wall and carries the heat away.
Because the housing carries hot oil and coolant side by side, its seals and gaskets work hard. Over time, heat cycles harden them and they start to leak.
6 Symptoms of a Failing BMW Oil Filter Housing
1Oil around the filter
Wet, oily residue around the filter cap or the base of the housing is the most common sign.
2Oil on the engine block
Oil running down the side of the block below the housing, often spotted at a service or MOT.
3Burning oil smell
Oil dripping onto hot exhaust parts gives a sharp burning smell, especially after a drive.
4Oil on the Serpentine Belt
Oil leaking from the filter housing can reach the auxiliary drive belt and surrounding pulleys. Oil contamination can damage the belt and affect its operation. Have the belt and pulleys inspected if oil is found in this area.
5Oil and coolant mixing
An oily film in the coolant expansion tank or coolant contamination in the engine oil may indicate an internal leak involving the oil cooler or filter housing. Milky residue under the oil filler cap can also result from condensation, so it should not be treated as confirmation of oil and coolant mixing without further checks.
6Falling oil or coolant levels
Topping up either fluid between services with no other obvious leak.
Important: if you see signs of oil and coolant mixing, stop driving and get the car checked. Contaminated oil can't protect the engine properly.
Why Do BMW Oil Filter Housings Fail?
- Gasket and seal ageing: the rubber seals between the housing and the block, and inside the cooler, harden with age and heat.
- High mileage: thousands of heat cycles wear out seals and plastic parts.
- Overheating: a fault elsewhere in the cooling system, such as a thermostat or water pump, can speed up seal wear.
- Cracked housing: less common, but a cracked housing can't be fixed with a new gasket alone.
Gasket Only, or Full Housing?
If the housing is sound and only the outer gasket is weeping, a new gasket may be enough. A complete housing and cooler assembly is usually the more reliable fix when:
- the housing is cracked or damaged
- oil and coolant are mixing (internal cooler failure)
- the car has high mileage and the labour is the same either way
A full assembly replaces the housing, the cooler and the seals in one job.
Which BMWs Are Affected?
The oil filter housing assembly discussed in this guide is designed for selected BMW 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series applications. Compatibility depends on the exact model, production year, engine code and OE number. Always check the full fitment list before ordering to ensure the replacement part matches your vehicle.
| Fuel | Engine codes |
|---|---|
| Diesel | M47, N47, N57, B37, B47 |
| Petrol | N13, B38, B46, B48 |
Popular examples include the 320d (B47) and 530i xDrive (B48). For the full model, year and OE number list, read our BMW oil filter housing 11428596283 fitment guide.
Running an N47? It's also worth checking the condition of the BMW N47 intake manifold and swirl flap actuator while you're working on the engine.
Replace It With the Right Part
Our Engine Oil Cooler & Filter Housing Assembly is a direct replacement for 31 OE numbers, including 11428596283, 11428576432, 11428575973 and 11428586673. It's water-cooled and suits diesel, petrol, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid BMWs.
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FAQs
Can I drive with a leaking oil filter housing?
A small external weep isn't an emergency, but check your oil level regularly and get it fixed soon. If oil is reaching hot exhaust parts or mixing with coolant, don't keep driving.
How do I know if it's the housing or the gasket?
Clean the area, run the engine and check where fresh oil appears. Oil in the coolant, or a visible crack, means the housing or cooler needs replacing.
Do I need to replace the coolant too?
The housing carries coolant, so expect to drain some during the job. If oil has got into the coolant, the cooling system should be flushed and refilled.
Is an aftermarket housing as good as genuine?
A quality aftermarket housing built to the same OE specification is a cost-effective alternative. Always match the OE number on your old part.
Can I collect the part locally?
Yes. You can collect from our Witney branch in Oxfordshire. See our shipping options for delivery.
Related Parts and Guides
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