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Old 02-09-2020, 07:58 PM   #1
noshots00
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Question Oil light comes on when accelerating and going around turns.

Oil level looks fine and was changed recently. It's a 97 318ti with 123,000 miles. Any ideas? Is it safe to drive it home?
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:17 PM   #2
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What weight oil? That would be a sign you're low....but if you've verified that the level is between the marks on the dipstick when cold, I'd assume you're safe. Maybe check the wiring to the light.
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Old 02-09-2020, 09:39 PM   #3
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Pretty sure its 5w 30.
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Old 02-09-2020, 10:19 PM   #4
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Could be a bad oil pressure sensor.
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Old 02-10-2020, 04:47 AM   #5
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Turns out it was quite low. I had to wait longer for it to be cold and check it again. Not sure why its low but the light is off.
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Old 02-12-2020, 04:19 PM   #6
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I have a major oil leak. I am going to auto zone to buy a Jack and Jack stand. Hopefully I can diagnose it myself. Any tips?
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Old 02-12-2020, 06:22 PM   #7
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Default Oil Filter Housing?

I think I found the source of the leak. Attached are photos. I think it's the oil filter housing. It's hard to get a good picture but I think you can clearly see the oil.

I also included a couple of pictures of the oily mess underneath the car. You can see from the droplets appearing how much oil is leaking. I already wiped those areas off just a couple minutes before taking the pictures. I only had the car on for 1 minute today when I moved it to where I wanted to jack it up.

I also posted a picture of what looks like a vacuum tube that is sheared off. Not a priority but I am curious if anyone knows what that is for, and where it goes.

So I am going to commence on buying parts to repair the oil filter housing, unless you think I have misdiagnosed it? Please advise.
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Old 02-12-2020, 06:59 PM   #8
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Yep, looks like you found the leak. Not a terribly difficult job, just follow the steps.
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Old 02-12-2020, 07:08 PM   #9
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Thanks for the quick response. The parts are ordered.

I am a little worried because I don't have a torque wrench. I have used them in the past and I felt that I could tell when it was the correct tightness (through "feel") and have been correct. The bolts just seem to get harder to tighten all of a sudden. Is this a road to disaster, should I just buy a torque wrench??

I also don't have any o ring lube. I suppose I could just buy a tube. I do have a tube of white silicon grease that I used to lube the window tracks (after someone broke my window last year and I fixed it myself). I am guessing this is another road to disaster lol?
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Old 02-13-2020, 02:51 AM   #10
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Oil filter housing doesn't take much to tighten the bolts. I'd buy a torque wrench.
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Old 02-13-2020, 05:15 AM   #11
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Definitely buy a torque wrench. Not too expensive at Harbor Freight. If it tightens too quickly that means you're stripping it.

I usually just use some oil to lube o-rings.
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Old 02-20-2020, 01:34 AM   #12
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I did the job, I didn't use a torque wrench. The bolts holding the oil filter housing weren't very tight to begin with. The alternator and it's cradle, it was easy to feel how tight to put the bolts. We won't know until tomorrow if it's still leaking. The gasket looked fine but the O rings were completely hard and flat, so I assume that was the culprit.
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Old 02-23-2020, 01:01 AM   #13
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The best o rings are only good for 15 years under ideal Conditions.

You should be fine for another ten or so now.
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