Oil fill cap leaking

[M3MPH1S]

****Update****
I've been neglecting this thread way too long, finally remembered to post an update (car is at 161k miles now). The solution posted below did work for me (with a slight variation). It look 2 applications (I think I just didn't put enough the first time), but what worked for me was using Permatex Ultra Black Gasket Maker. Liberally apply on the bottom of the oil cap where it meets the valve cover opening and then screw it on and let it set for 24 hours (or more if possible). When you first take the cap off after doing this fix (to change the oil or top it off), the cap will actually be sealed to the valve cover with the gasket maker, but when you put it back on it will still keep oil from leaking due to the extra gasket material under the cap. The only leaks I've seen are very slight leaks after running the car very hard for a 20+ minute session during 95+ degree track days (which is allegedly normal). This was done with the old style cap (I think?) - it's the one that does NOT have the raised "bar" in the middle for turning it, it just has the "nubs" around the outer edge.
****Update****


About 2 months ago, I noticed my oil fill cap was starting to leak a little bit. Being a 7 year old car with 125k miles and some track wear, I wasn't too surprised. I checked the forum and there wasn't much aside from replace the cap - which at about $14 is obviously the easiest way to do it. Changed the cap and the leak went away for the 2 months until I just recently did a valve cover gasket job (due to finding oil on my spark plug threads during a spark plug change). During the job we thoroughly cleaned the inside of the valve cover to get the build up "slime" off which subsequently also took off a very small amount of paint that was already peeling. One of those spots was around the rim the opening where the oil fill cap sits, but I didn't worry about it since 1 layer of paint is pretty thin and I figured the gasket would compensate. It was fine for a day or 2, but now it has started leaking just a bit - same as before.

So now my ideas are:

1. Put some paint or some type of high temp sealant on the rim of the valve cover fill hole

2. Buy another new oil fill cap, take the o-ring out, and use high-temp glue to bond it with the existing o-ring (aka double up)

3. Bend the prongs up a little so they form a tighter seal

I feel like #1 would be the most effective solution, but have no idea what type of paint/sealant I should use

#2 might work, but I would be afraid of the 2nd o-ring separating and falling down inside the valve cover

#3 was a solution I found in a thread about fixing an old leaky cap, but I feel like that would "unbend" itself fairly quickly

Any ideas or feedback would be much appreciated

[Redd]

I bought a brand new cap, that one leaked too. So if you find a solution please let me know.

[pbonsalb]

Could this be due to a partially clogged pvc system?

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Could this be due to a partially clogged pvc system?

Can you elaborate a little more on what you mean? Are you saying due to a partially clogged PCV, there's too much pressure inside the valve cover so it's trying to push the oil out somewhere?

[pbonsalb]

Yes. Just a thought. When I had my intake manifold off to change a throttle actuator, I looked briefly inside the pcv connections and they did not look gooey or clogged but I was seeing only a small part of the system. Had 87k miles at the time. I replaced my oil cap a few gears ago. I don't get any drips but I can wipe a film of what looks like oil vapor residue away. On E36 and E39, the pvc will clog up over time. Dont know about these cars but think mine is still working fine at 9 years and 90k miles.

[MSteve5036]

I recently saw a pic of a '13 for sale and it had a different oil cap than my 08. Wondering now if it was an aftermarket cap trying to fix the leak or they actually changed the design...

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Yes. Just a thought. When I had my intake manifold off to change a throttle actuator, I looked briefly inside the pcv connections and they did not look gooey or clogged but I was seeing only a small part of the system. Had 87k miles at the time. I replaced my oil cap a few gears ago. I don't get any drips but I can wipe a film of what looks like oil vapor residue away. On E36 and E39, the pvc will clog up over time. Dont know about these cars but think mine is still working fine at 9 years and 90k miles.

Hmm, when I took mine off I didn't think to check for clogging, but overall they looked to be in great condition. I replaced the o-rings as a precautionary measure recommended by a DIY, but even those looked perfectly fine. I may try replacing them anyway since they are only $85/ea at ECS.

[pbonsalb]

I think if there is an issue with the pvc, the issue would be located somewhere else in the pvc system, but I have not I inspected the rest. And there may be no issue.

[oolas3]

I tried 2 different versions spec'd exactly for the M3 and both leaked. Finally when I tried the 3rd time with the Mini version, no leaks. The mini part is: 11128619360.

Prior to the 3rd cap, I tried using a sealant and that didn't work either.

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by oolas3

I tried 2 different versions spec'd exactly for the M3 and both leaked. Finally when I tried the 3rd time with the Mini version, no leaks. The mini part is: 11128619360.

Prior to the 3rd cap, I tried using a sealant and that didn't work either.

Thanks, you mean this one right?



.

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by M3MPH1S

Thanks, you mean this one right?



.

Yeah, that looks just like it. I got mine from:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/min...er-11128619359

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by MSteve5036

I recently saw a pic of a '13 for sale and it had a different oil cap than my 08. Wondering now if it was an aftermarket cap trying to fix the leak or they actually changed the design...

There have been several revisions through the years. The newest ones no longer say Castrol on them as BMW uses Shell oil now.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by oolas3

There have been several revisions through the years. The newest ones no longer say Castrol on them as BMW uses Shell oil now.

Yeah , it's really hard for BMW to make a NOT leaking oil cap in the last 10 years !
Same 5H1T with the friggin bearings...

[Scharbag]

Leaking oil cap... I have it too.

I wonder if you could bend the tabs a little to increase the pressure on the gasket.

Still pretty laughable that this is an issue. Go BMW Go!!

[drrust]

I had the issue and initially bent the tabs and it seemed to work. Replaced the cap with the newer version available at ECS. That worked initially, but it can leak if one does not press down when turning it. It seems that one tab doesn't catch and the side toward the center of the engine is not engaged.

It seems the magnesium is either wearing away or corroding. I'm going to replace the cover eventually.

[chamba002]

I put Hondabond sealant between the cap and gasket. No more leaks! I also have a spare updated oil cap too just in case. My car is 2009, I think 2010 and up had the updated oil cap. But Ive also heard they also tend to leak.

[M3MPH1S]

Originally Posted by chamba002

I put Hondabond sealant between the cap and gasket. No more leaks! I also have a spare updated oil cap too just in case. My car is 2009, I think 2010 and up had the updated oil cap. But Ive also heard they also tend to leak.

Can you elaborate? Do you mean you took out the gasket then put hondabond in the "trench" then put the gasket back in and let it cure/dry?

[doogee]

Check the sealing area of the valve cover for paint chips.

My oil cap leaked until I sanded down the paint chip. Seals up just fine now.

[MrPrena]

Originally Posted by oolas3

I tried 2 different versions spec'd exactly for the M3 and both leaked. Finally when I tried the 3rd time with the Mini version, no leaks. The mini part is: 11128619360.

Prior to the 3rd cap, I tried using a sealant and that didn't work either.

Originally Posted by M3MPH1S

Thanks, you mean this one right?



.

Dealership that my oil cap needs to be replaced as well.
I am going to try this one out. thanks.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yeah , it's really hard for BMW to make a NOT leaking oil cap in the last 10 years !
Same 5H1T with the friggin bearings...

How is the bearing issue received in Germany? I know you live in Belgium but should be able to hear some talks around shops and owners in EU.

Owners in JP have no clue and only do frequent oil changes (after track day/autocross/~3,000 km.) Some go supercharged; I hate to say it but I'm looking forward to hear that unmistakable bang from mains spinning.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

How is the bearing issue received in Germany? I know you live in Belgium but should be able to hear some talks around shops and owners in EU.

Owners in JP have no clue and only do frequent oil changes (after track day/autocross/~3,000 km.) Some go supercharged; I hate to say it but I'm looking forward to hear that unmistakable bang from mains spinning.

First of all ..Nice to meet you Sir !
It's because I work already 15 + years in a Japanese company in Belgium.

Yeah , actually I have ...let us say a number . But this/my number dates from 2014. The *Worldwide* failure % is much higher than people realize .
My number is private ,it's because persons and Belgian/German jobs are involved in the information .
So , I'm sorry Sir . And hope you can understand my situation .

I'm talking from the Worldwide failures and not only from the (small) Bimmerpost failure list. Because the S65 bearing issue is Worldwide . For the moment we have +/- 137 bearing failures on Bimmerpost => http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786615
Of course the Bimmerpost failure number is only small part from the *Worldwide* S65 bearing failures.
Most Bimmerpost members (want to) see only the Bimmerpost failure number . But Worldwide is what matters !

The S65/S85 bearing subject is a very sensitive subject . Denial by the BMW/Dealers is everywhere in Europe and in the US as well .

I know that few owners had really bad luck with only 6K miles on it . I know also that 2 owners had bearing failure twice . And for the moment they are running with their third S65 !
On the other hand , we/I can also see that S65's still run strong today with 200k + miles on it ...
That's why I said often on Bimmerpost...*The S65 is actually a German lottery*

詳細に関してはどうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。

[chamba002]

Originally Posted by M3MPH1S

Can you elaborate? Do you mean you took out the gasket then put hondabond in the "trench" then put the gasket back in and let it cure/dry?

You can use a small flat head screw driver to remove the gasket from the oil cap. Then I applied a Hondabond gasket sealant, then place the gasket on top of the hondabond. I placed the oil cap back on the valve cover and let it set for a day. No more leaks

[IMG]Untitled by Chamba, on Flickr[/IMG]