Can't stop the oil leak

[mk1Miata]

I have had a local shop (works on BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche etc) reseal the oil filter housing. The first time, he only replaced the gasket, not the o-rings. This repair failed shortly after dumping most of the oil on the ground. I towed the car back to the garage. A few days later, I had the pleasure of paying for the towing and for the job again. This time he said he replaced the o-rings and the gasket. I paid the bill even though it was clearly a come-back. Now it's leaking again and he says that it might be a cracked block, cracked head, leaking from the timing cover, leaking P/S, oil pump over pressurizing, compressing in the bottom of the block etc but he can't look at it until later this week. Paying three times for the same repair isn't cool. What else could leak oil onto the top edge of the filter housing? I runs down the front of the block (along the filter housing) and down off the subframe.
1996, manual trans, A/C.
Thanks

[cooljess76]

Maybe the filter housning cap itself is leaking? I replaced the gasket and o rings on my clubsport's filter housing a long time ago. The o rings were totally flat. I only ordered the gasket so I went to the local auto parts store and picked up some o rings. They didn't have the exact same size so I ended up using two that were slightly smaller in diameter and much larger in thickness. They stretched around the bushing for a really nice and snug fit into the block. Not sure why you had to tow your vehicle to the shop, was it not driveable? You should take some brake cleaner, hose the entire area down so the block and housing are nice and clean, go for a drive and see if you can spot where the oil is leaking from. Good luck.

[mk1Miata]

Oil was pouring out, the whole underbody was drenched. I would not have made it much farther without running dry, at least I caught it off the highway and before any damage. The second repair included lots of black sealant (I'm not even sure he replaced the o-rings or gasket based on what it looks like).

[mk1Miata]

I just took some time to clean everything up. The leak is clearly the upper leading edge of the housing where it meets the block. What is the possibility of the oil pump over-pressurizing? Never heard of that, but this guy keeps coming back to that as a possibility.

[Danny318]

There is a papergasket between the filter housing and the block. Also the bolts that hold it in need to be properly tightened and not over tightened.

its fairly impossible that the pump overpressurizes.

[Danny318]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...68&hg=11&fg=30

[mk1Miata]

The garage owner refuses to contemplate the possibility of a poor installation, ie no possibility of 'warranty', only a cracked oil filter housing. Paying three times for the same repair isn't cool, but I don't have much choice.
How much is an oil filter housing from the dealer?

[b.u.ti-ful]

I wonder if he stripped the threads??????

[mk1Miata]

He scoffed at the suggestion of overtorque

[cooljess76]

I wouldn't have taken it back after the first time, but hey, live and learn I guess. Sucks man, hopefully you could find another oil filter housing for cheap. I'm pretty sure they're interchangeable between the m42 and m44, perhaps you could pick one up on here or bimmerforums from someone that's parting out a motor. You know, it's not really that difficult to swap it out yourself, just remove the airbox/MAF and alternator. You know how the ol' saying goes, "If you want something done right..." Either way, best of luck man, hope it doesn't cost you too much more $$$.

[milehigh96caliti]

I'm not any good at mechanical stuff but I do have one word for the guy...JACKA$$.

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

You know how the ol' saying goes, "If you want something done right..."

Take it to the bmw dealership?

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Maverix

Take it to the bmw dealership?

nah, it may look like a big project, but honestly, I did it in about an hour. I'm by no means a fast mechanic, I take my time to make sure I don't screw anything up and I always double check my work before I button everything up. It's the old aviation training in me that makes me so cautious. While I'll admit that I don't always use a torque wrench, I'm extra careful when tightening aluminum parts. OP, this is a job that I'm sure you can do in an afternoon with only basic tools and a little patience. Save yourself a few bucks and learn a little about your car in the process. It makes you appreciate it that much more when you're driving it, just knowing that you made that thing run

[Maverix]

Heh, I was just being a smartass. But I do agree. Doing it yourself does make you feel better. I try to do everything myself. Unless when I get a free oil change and filter

[mk1Miata]

I agree completely, but between my Miata (R/I supercharger completely, rewire everything the PO poorly installed, replace suspension), housework, wife's car and most importantly, our 15 month old Son, time just isn't on my side. I farmed out this job to someone that I thought was competent, but I guess I'll roll up my sleeves before paying over $500.00 for a housing from the dealer which I doubt is cracked anyway.