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BMW oil leaks by engine
Where each common BMW engine tends to leak oil, how it shows up, BMW's own bulletins, and what the fix costs at an independent shop or a dealer.
Last updated
N52 / N54 / N55 N20 / N26 B46 / B48 B58 N63 / S63 S55 M54 N62 / N73 Diesel Is it a real leak? Before you pay
At a glance
| Engine | Usual oil leak points | Priced repairs |
|---|---|---|
| N52 / N54 / N55 | Oil filter housing gasket; Valve cover and gasket; Oil pan gasket | N55 oil filter housing gasket N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket N55 oil pan gasket |
| N20 / N26 | Valve cover gasket; Plastic oil filter housing | None yet |
| B46 / B48 | Oil filter housing and oil cooler; Turbo oil return line | B58 / B48 oil filter housing |
| B58 | Oil filter housing and oil cooler; Valve cover gasket and PCV valve | B58 / B48 oil filter housing B58 valve cover / PCV failure |
| N63 / S63 | Valve cover gaskets; Turbo oil feed lines; Upper oil pan | N63 valve cover gaskets |
| S55 | Oil filter housing gasket; Valve cover and oil pan | None yet |
| M54 | Valve cover gasket; Oil filter housing gasket | None yet |
| N62 / N73 | Alternator bracket gasket | None yet |
| Diesel | Turbo charge air hose seal | None yet |
Is it a real leak?
- BMW's own bulletin on external oil leaks (SIB 01 04 14) says light oil "sweating" plus road grime, and oil left behind after a service, can look like a serious leak. Light residue with no drips doesn't need a repair; an active leak with wet oil or drips does.
- A burning smell after a drive usually means oil is landing on the exhaust, often from the valve cover.
- Oil on the drive belt is the one to fix quickly, because a soaked belt can fail.
- Topping up often with no drips or residue points to oil consumption, not a leak.
If you're also losing coolant, see BMW coolant leaks by engine; on several engines the oil filter housing leaks both.
N52, N54 and N55
2006–2018 inline sixes: E90/F30 328i and 335i, 535i, X3, X5 35i, 135i, M235i, Z4
The two leaks every owner of these sixes hears about are the oil filter housing gasket and the valve cover. Both are rubber seals that harden with heat and age, and both can drip oil onto parts that make them more urgent than a puddle suggests.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter housing gasket (front left, above the belt) | Oil on the drive belt and tensioner, oil running down the front of the engine. Usually from about 50,000–130,000 miles. Fix it early: an oil-soaked belt can shred and get pulled into the front crankshaft seal.12 | N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) Indie $610–$760 Dealer $1,492–$1,970 Indie owners paid $648–$763 |
| Valve cover and gasket | Burning-oil smell after a drive, oil in the spark plug wells, smoke from the exhaust side. Usually about 60,000–100,000 miles. The plastic cover can crack, so it is often replaced with the gasket.34 | N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) Indie $1,225–$1,547 Dealer $2,017–$2,557 Indie owners paid $930–$1,625 Dealer owners paid $1,450–$2,076 |
| Oil pan gasket | Drips from the bottom of the engine, usually past 100,000 miles.1 | N55 oil pan gasket Indie $1,066–$2,020 Dealer $1,705–$2,900 Indie owners paid $1,588–$1,900 |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 11 14 15 Service Action: N55 Engine - Inspect and Replace Engine Oil Filter Housing Oil filter housing leak on BMW E90/E92/E93/F30 and other models (2012–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Jan 2016
- SIB 01 04 14 External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2014
BMW ran a service action to inspect and replace the plastic oil filter housing on some F30 N55 cars built August 2011 to March 2012, because it could leak oil or coolant. A BMW center can say whether it was done on your VIN.
N20 and N26
2012–2018 four-cylinders: F30 320i/328i, F10 528i, X1, X3 28i, Z4 28i, 228i, 428i
BMW has two oil leak bulletins of its own for the N20: loose valve cover bolts, and a service action on early plastic oil filter housings.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Valve (cylinder head) cover gasket | Oil under the car or an oil smell. BMW traced some leaks to loose cover bolts and replaces the gasket set. (BMW SIB 11 03 15) | No price page yet |
| Plastic oil filter housing | Oil or coolant loss. BMW ran a service action on some 2011–2012 builds (E84, E89, F10, F25, F30 built August 2011 to March 2012). (BMW SIB 11 13 15) | No price page yet |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 11 03 15 N20 and N26 Engine: Oil Leaks from Cylinder Head Cover Valve cover leak on N20 engines (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
- SIB 11 13 15 Service Action: N20 Engine - Inspect and Replace Engine Oil Filter Housing Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine: Engine Oil Filter Application for Plastic Oil Filter Housing BMW bulletin SI B11 05 15 for E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2011–2013): N20 and N55 Engine: Engine Oil Filter Application for Plastic Oil Filter Housing. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
The N20's best-known expensive problem is the timing chain, which is not a leak. See the N20 timing chain price page.
B46 and B48
2016-on four-cylinders: F30/G20 330i, G30 530i, X1, X2, X3 30i, Z4 30i, 230i
On the modular four, the plastic oil filter housing with its built-in oil cooler is the usual leak point, and it can leak oil, coolant or both. Early engines also had a turbo oil return line gasket issue.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter housing and oil cooler | Oil or coolant around the housing, a low coolant warning, oil found at an oil change. BMW has a 2025 bulletin for coolant leaks from the housing's insert, fixed with a redesigned part and new gaskets. (BMW SIB 11 10 25) | B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak) Indie $1,225–$2,101 Dealer $2,465–$4,010 Indie owners paid $1,800–$3,300 Dealer owners paid $2,825–$3,950 |
| Turbo oil return line (early cars) | Oil near the turbo on early-production engines; reported as a mis-assembled gasket fixed under warranty.5 | No price page yet |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 11 10 25 Coolant leaking from oil filter housing Oil filter housing leak on BMW G02/G20/G22/G23 and other models (2025); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2025
B58
2016-on inline six: F30 340i, G20 M340i, G30 540i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X7 40i, Z4 M40i, Supra
The B58 has two common oil leak points: the oil filter housing and the valve cover, which on this engine includes the crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter housing and oil cooler (back right, behind the intake) | Oil or coolant residue, low coolant warning, burning smell. Quotes often bundle other parts. (BMW SIB 11 10 25) | B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak) Indie $1,225–$2,101 Dealer $2,465–$4,010 Indie owners paid $1,800–$3,300 Dealer owners paid $2,825–$3,950 |
| Valve cover gasket and PCV valve | Oil on the spark plugs, burning-oil smell, a low-oil warning, sometimes a whistle at idle. Valve cover gaskets typically around 60,000–100,000 miles.67 | B58 valve cover / PCV failure Indie $1,248–$2,352 Dealer $3,128–$5,052 Dealer owners paid $3,049–$4,450 |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 11 08 24 Delivery stop: check pcv system Delivery Stop Check PCV System on B58/N63 engines (2024–2025); unsold cars were held for inspection and repair before delivery. Service campaign · Nov 2024
- SIB 01 14 23 Fx gx B58M pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles Crankcase vent valve (PCV) warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G11/G12 and other models (2016–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2023
BMW extended warranty coverage on the B58M crankcase pressure control (PCV) valve to 15 years or 150,000 miles (bulletin 01 14 23). Check eligibility by VIN before paying for a valve cover.
N63 and S63 V8
2009-on twin-turbo V8s: 550i, 650i, 750i, X5 50i, X6 50i, M5, M6, X5 M, X6 M
With the turbos inside the V, oil that leaks here lands on very hot parts, so burning smells and smoke are common first signs. These engines also use oil internally, which is a different problem from a leak.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Valve cover gaskets (both banks) | Burning-oil smell and smoke from the engine bay, oil around the spark plug wells.8 | N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks) Indie $2,772 Dealer $5,583–$7,425 |
| Turbo oil feed lines (N63R) | Oil on the ground under the middle of the car: on G12 750i, G30 M550i and ALPINA B7 the feed lines can leak into the V and run out between engine and gearbox. (BMW SIB 11 03 18) | No price page yet |
| Upper oil pan | BMW publishes a dedicated removal and installation procedure for the N63/S63 upper oil pan; it is a big job. (BMW SIB 11 17 15) | No price page yet |
| Not a leak: oil consumption (valve stem seals) | Blue smoke on start-up, frequent top-ups with no drips. BMW settled a class action over N63 oil consumption. (BMW SIB 01 21 18) | N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke) Indie $6,290–$8,208 Dealer $16,673–$21,989 |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 11 03 18 N63R engine: engine oil leak diagnosis at turbocharger Turbocharger leak on N63 engines (2016–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Apr 2018
- SIB 11 17 15 N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines: upper oil pan removal and installation repair instructions BMW bulletin SI B11 17 15 for G11/G12/E60/E70 and other models (2007–2017): N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines: upper oil pan removal and installation repair instructions. Service bulletin · Feb 2017
- SIB 01 21 18 N63: oil consumption class action settlement diagnosis/repairs (version 13.0) Oil consumption service information on BMW E60/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
S55 (F80 M3, F82 M4, F87 M2 Competition)
2015–2020 M3, M4, M2 Competition
The S55 shares the N55's weak points: the oil filter housing gasket, the valve cover and the oil pan.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter housing gasket | Oil around the front of the engine and on the belt; reported from about 60,000–80,000 miles.910 | No price page yet |
| Valve cover and oil pan | Burning smell, oil in the plug wells, drips underneath.9 | No price page yet |
We don't price S55 leak jobs yet; the N55 pages give a rough lower bound.
M54 (2001–2006 sixes)
E46 325i/330i, E39 525i/530i, E53 X5 3.0i, E83 X3, Z4 2.5i/3.0i
On the older sixes, the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket are the classic leaks, usually around 100,000 miles.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Valve cover gasket | Oil smell, oil on the exhaust manifold side, oil in the spark plug wells.1112 | No price page yet |
| Oil filter housing gasket | Oil running down the front left of the engine.11 | No price page yet |
BMW bulletins on file
- SIB 01 04 14 External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2014
We don't price M54 jobs yet.
N62 and N73 V8/V12
2006–2010 E60 550i, E63 650i, E65 750i/760i, E70 X5 4.8i
The older non-turbo V8 (and the V12 that shares its layout) has one leak that owners talk about most: the alternator bracket gasket in the V of the engine.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Alternator bracket gasket | Oil collecting in the valley of the engine. The gasket is cheap; the labor isn't.1314 | No price page yet |
| Not a leak: valve stem seals | Blue smoke after a cold start or long idle, high oil use. Check the crankcase ventilation first, because it can mimic seal failure.13 | No price page yet |
We don't price N62 or N73 jobs yet.
Diesels (M57, N57, B57)
335d, X5 35d/xDrive35d, 535d, 740Ld, X5 40d
On the US diesels, the oil leak with a BMW bulletin is in the intake: a damaged seal in the charge air pipe lets oil and boost escape.
| Where it leaks | What you notice | Our price page (national average) |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo charge air hose seal (M57) | An oil leak from the engine area, sometimes with the check engine light and an injection-quantity fault. BMW fitted an improved seal on the E70 and E90 diesel. (BMW NHTSA 10152349) | No price page yet |
BMW bulletins on file
- NHTSA 10152349 Oil Leak from Turbocharger Charge Air Hose Turbocharger leak on BMW E70/E90 models (2009–2013); BMW released a revised part and repair procedure. Service bulletin · Sep 2013
Before you pay for an oil leak repair
- Ask the shop to clean the area and recheck, or use dye, if it's not obvious which seal is leaking. Oil runs downhill and back along the engine.
- Check your VIN for open service actions and warranty extensions in our recall check; BMW has covered some N20/N55 oil filter housings and the B58M PCV valve.
- Compare scope: valve cover jobs may or may not include a new cover, spark plug tube seals or ignition parts. See dealer vs independent prices for how the two compare.
Sources
- BMW Tuning: N55 FAQ
- BMW Tuning: N54 FAQ
- BMW Tuning: N55 engine problems
- BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems
- Bimmerly: B48 reliability
- R44 Performance: B58 reliability
- BMW Tuning: B58 problems
- BMW Tuning: N63 vs N63TU vs TU2 vs TU3
- BMW Tuning: S55 engine guide
- Fast Car: F80 M3 / F82 M4 buyer's guide
- BMW Tuning: M54 problems
- E46Fanatics: maintenance guide
- BMW Tuning: N62 problems
- Bimmerforums: N73 V12 owner thread
BMW bulletins are linked in each section. Estimates are national averages built from BMW warranty labor time, regional shop rates and parts prices; open a job page for your ZIP. "Owners paid" is the middle half of sourced prices, shown only where we have at least 3 for that shop type. Mileages are what the cited specialists report, not predictions for any one car.