[NxTH]

2013 N55 F30

The aim of this thread is to maybe finally put this leak in its place. I'm getting quite frustrated. Humor me for a moment here and let's hear what's going on.

Long story short:

- Wanted preventative maintenance, did pretty much all gaskets at an indy. They messed up the OFHG job. Twice on the same day. Since then, it leaked every few months and they tried to fix it via their warranty. Had to do rod bearings at a specialist.

- BMW specialist found out that the bolts were coming loose on the housing from vibration. Wrong torque specs. They no longer do, OFHG should be in order, six oily belts and six spillages later that would haunt me every few months. Oil was swapped to 5W40 from 5W30.

- I had a code come on during cold starts, a vanos code since the oil was changed. They figured maybe the oil doesn't get to where it needs to go fast enough so we swapped to 0W40. Codes were gone. Great. Until..

- Yesterday, a week after oil change I noticed what I think is the oil filter cap leaking. Cleaned it, went for three drives where I drove it like I stole it, no leaks. No codes. Nothing. Went for a fourth drive casually, came back, two small droplets were running down the cap seam. Went for a drive today, no leak. This is pretty much what would happen every few months randomly, but it used to be the OFHG, not the cap. About half a year ago they also suspected that maybe the cap is also leaking, so they changed it as well as a precaution.

- The cap now has a HENGST filter and oil was changed by a bmw specialist.

- BMW specialist told me that they have never seen this issue before where swapping filters and caps didn't resolve the issue. The next thing they suggest is swapping the entire aluminum block to rule it out. That sounds like such a waste especially since all the gaskets are so fresh. But maybe that's the only option left.

I have now however ordered an aluminum BMS cap, an OEM BMW filter and will try putting those on. If that doesn't help, I'm guessing it's time for an entirely new oil filter housing? I don't really want to go back to 5W40 either if that gives VANOS codes. There should be no reason that 0W leaks and 5W doesn't. There's something wrong if that's the sole reason it does so.

Send help...I might kick the bucket from stress...or part out.