Advice to 120i owners

[Kurt Adv]

There are 2 seals around the oil filter housing, one under the housing, one on the side where a cooler or heater of sorts is attached, these seals perish over time and cause an oil leal, this oil then drips onto the alternator, and if not attended to, destroys thye alternator, as happened to my daughter's car, this alternator is CRAZY expensive from BMW, R12k, aftermarket ones are available for under R5k, or even cheaper from a scrapyard, BUT, for about R170.00 in gasket prices, you can save yourself some heartache and moolah. I'm told these seals/gaskets should be changed every 60 000km....so, change them at your next oil change, they are easy to do.

 

[Soprano890925]

agreed, prevention is better than cure.

Recently done mine, on my 330i. The gaskets were completely flattened and brittle.

check out my thread for some pics on how the gaskets looked.

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=85394

 

[Riaad]

While you at it, its also a good idea to replace the camshaft sensor gaskets, clean the solenoids and replace those gaskets as well.

Gaskets for all this plus the two for the oil filter housing costs like R400 from BMW:thumbs:

 

[kilotango]

OP, thanks for the headsup.

sigh... all it took from BMW was to get OEM's to use better materials for the gaskets and plastics in these cars... then everything would've been fine.

i've owned a few vehicles from different manufacturers, and the BMW has been the worst with regards to replacing these silly components. same story with the valve covers, if its not the gaskets that go, then the plastic warps.. its just a never ending story here.

 

[///Avi]

Are these on the F series or E series bud?

 

[Nick]

n46 setup probably...

 

[Holiman]

Similar issue with the n55 engines. I recently had mine replaced. Oil was leaking into the radiator and thus played havoc with my cooling system. All bmw said was monitor it. Mxm. I took it to a mechanic, had one look and was like replace it now. Sorted it out before it caused more issues.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[BeemerFanatic]

I must actually check my car.

---

Thanks for the heads up.:thumbs:

 

[Technician]

take advise from a 120i owner, once these seals start going, its going to be a down hill ride, i had the exact same issue, then the list below is everything else that went in a period of 50 000km

the more 120i owners i meet all have the exact same stories...

the following seem to go almost all between 130k and 180k, maybe some other 120i owners can confirm.

Bleeder Nipple
VVT motor
Chain guide
Chain tensioner
chain)
Coolant leak
exhaust camshaft sensor
Exhaust vanos
Inlet vanos
New radiator and pipes fitted
Oil filter housing repaired
Oil level/Oil Temp sensor
Refit CAS and DME control units
Removal of Catilitic conveters
Replace fuel pump
Tappet cover gasket
Temp sensor switch
Thermostat
Valve stem seals and guide kit
Vent hose
Water pump
Water pump seal

 

[Nick]

I have to buy a clutch today for mine.

I have to do vacuum pump gasket and oil filter housing gasket soon.

 

[zippy320]

Which engines does this effect? Does it Effect the N42 engines ? 120i could be an N46 as well correct so this could effect the N42 engine as well ?

 

[Charlie Brown]

Sadly that list is almost “universal “ for all BMWs for their equivalent parts.

High mileage requires plenty preventative maintenance.