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BMW 5 Series: Oil filter housing gasket leak (2.0 N20 turbo petrol, F10/F11 520i/528i)

Oil filter housing gasket leak (2.0 N20 turbo petrol, F10/F11 520i/528i) is a common fluid leaks fault on the BMW 5 Series on the 2011–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs ≈A$410 to ≈A$920 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 62 documented faults on the BMW 5 Series.

Vehicle
BMW 5 Series
Engine
N20
Years
2011–2016
Fuel
petrol
System
Fluid Leaks

This page covers the BMW 5 Series as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All BMW 5 Series faults62 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Turbocharger yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

An oil filter housing gasket leak is a known issue on the 2.0 N20 turbo petrol in the F10/F11 520i/528i. The rubber gasket between the plastic oil filter housing and the block hardens with age and heat, so oil seeps down the front of the engine and onto the drive belt. If oil reaches the eccentric shaft sensor wiring the engine can run rough or stall. The fix is a new gasket, or a new housing at higher kilometres.

What you would notice

  • Oil on the front of the engine around the oil filter housing
  • Burning oil smell
  • Oily or squealing drive belt
  • Rough running or stalling if oil reaches sensor wiring

How to check it

Where to look. Engine, oil filter housing

  1. Look at the oil filter housing on the engine and down the front of the block for wet oil, and check the drive belt for oil contamination.

  2. Smell for burning oil after the drive and note any rough running or stalling.

  3. Ask whether the oil filter housing gasket has been replaced.

  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: check the eccentric shaft sensor connector for oil and read stored codes.

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

What it costs to put right

≈A$410 to ≈A$920 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the oil filter housing gasket been replaced?”
  • “Has the car stalled or run roughly?”

Now check the BMW 5 Series you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

BMW 5 Series buyer questions

Is oil filter housing gasket leak (2.0 n20 turbo petrol, f10/f11 520i/528i) serious on a BMW 5 Series?

We rate it major and common on the BMW 5 Series. An oil filter housing gasket leak is a known issue on the 2.0 N20 turbo petrol in the F10/F11 520i/528i. The rubber gasket between the plastic oil filter housing and the block hardens with age and heat, so oil seeps down the front of the engine and onto the drive belt. If oil reaches the eccentric shaft sensor wiring the engine can run rough or stall. The fix is a new gasket, or a new housing at higher kilometres.

How much does it cost to fix on a BMW 5 Series?

≈A$410 to ≈A$920 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which BMW 5 Series years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2011–2016 BMW 5 Series. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Look at the oil filter housing on the engine and down the front of the block for wet oil, and check the drive belt for oil contamination. Smell for burning oil after the drive and note any rough running or stalling. Ask whether the oil filter housing gasket has been replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: check the eccentric shaft sensor connector for oil and read stored codes. Look here: Engine, oil filter housing