[suspect]

I need to check if my N54 OFHG is leaking or its just spilt oil. Will spraying brake cleaner ruin the belt or other seals? Any suggestions what else to use? Need to clean the block surface and check for new oil stains. The belt and front inlet looks dry. The block has oil/grease/grime. No pooling near the oil filter cap yet.

[lookalikehuuh]

No need to worry about brake clean and the belt as long as you aren't soaking it in brake clean for extended periods of time or something. In my experience OFHG doesn't usually cause pooling or anything like that.

[lowrydr310]

^^^
What he said.

Do you have the external oil cooler with the thermostat housing attached to the oil filter housing? One thing that most of the OFHG DIYs don't mention is the gasket for the oil cooler thermostat cover:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1550526

I replaced the OFHG and thermostat gasket along with new o-rings for the oil cooler lines and still had a small oil leak. It ended up being that square cover. The gaskets aren't available from BMW, but a 3mm thick 37mm ID, 43mm OD, Viton o-ring works perfectly. I just bought a pack of five and used one; happy to share one if you need it.

[suspect]

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

No need to worry about brake clean and the belt as long as you aren't soaking it in brake clean for extended periods of time or something. In my experience OFHG doesn't usually cause pooling or anything like that.

Brake cleaner it is then

[suspect]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

^^^
What he said.

Do you have the external oil cooler with the thermostat housing attached to the oil filter housing? One thing that most of the OFHG DIYs don't mention is the gasket for the oil cooler thermostat cover:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1550526

I replaced the OFHG and thermostat gasket along with new o-rings for the oil cooler lines and still had a small oil leak. It ended up being that square cover. The gaskets aren't available from BMW, but a 3mm thick 37mm ID, 43mm OD, Viton o-ring works perfectly. I just bought a pack of five and used one; happy to share one if you need it.

My car has an oil cooler and has an extra part in front of the oil filter housing which probably contains the thermostat(?). Thanks for the offer but we might be a little far away I’ll try to find the square gasket

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by suspect

My car has an oil cooler and has an extra part in front of the oil filter housing which probably contains the thermostat(?). Thanks for the offer but we might be a little far away I’ll try to find the square gasket

Well if that's what's leaking on your car and you need one, I can mail you one. Or you can buy one; they're a bit tricky to find. Mcmaster is the only reputable retailer that has them in stock and available now. All the other distributors were showing February ship times and I needed mine in December.

You need a 3mm thick Viton O-ring, 37mm inner diameter and 43mm outer diameter. Fits perfectly.

[suspect]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Well if that's what's leaking on your car and you need one, I can mail you one. Or you can buy one; they're a bit tricky to find. Mcmaster is the only reputable retailer that has them in stock and available now. All the other distributors were showing February ship times and I needed mine in December.

You need a 3mm thick Viton O-ring, 37mm inner diameter and 43mm outer diameter. Fits perfectly.

That’s very nice of you thank you. I will let you know if I need one. For now I’m not sure if the OFHG is leaking. I couldn’t clean the area behind the pulleys but from what I did manage to clean, I can’t see new oil after like 100-150 miles. I’m not sure where all this oil came from if not OFHG, the VCG was changed but can’t see oil around the VCG. It’s happened about 3-4 months after installing a crank seal guard. I used some silicone grease behind the guard not sure if that is related.