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What’s the Most Common Problem Needing BMW Repairs in Suffolk County?

An oil leak is the most common problem needing BMW repair in Suffolk County. Most BMW oil leaks come from the valve cover gasket or oil filter housing. A leak is more likely to develop after the warranty period has expired, making it costly to visit a dealership.


If you want more affordable BMW repairs, you can visit the team at Dee Pat’s Awsomotive in Selden , NY. We can diagnose BMW oil leaks and provide a cost-efficient repair with OEM or factory-equivalent aftermarket parts.


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Why is My BMW Leaking Oil?

Your BMW is probably leaking oil because the valve cover gasket has worn with age, or the oil filter housing has degraded.


<h2>BMW Valve Cover Gasket Leaks</h2>


The valve cover gasket is a rubber gasket in the engine bay at the top of the engine block. Heat in the engine bay is high, even with normal driving. Heat rises and degrades the gasket until it becomes brittle and snaps. Oil will seep through the gaps, drip down through other components, and pool underneath your vehicle.


The symptoms of a bad BMW valve cover gasket include:

An acrid, burning oil odor from your car. You might notice this before you see oil pooling under your vehicle.

White smoke from under your hood. This is common because oil from the valve cover gasket can hit the exhaust manifold.


Oil leaking from the valve cover gasket can ignite on the exhaust manifold, making it a fire risk. If you see smoke, stop driving and call Dee Pat’s Awsomotive in Selden to book an appointment for BMW repair.


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BMW Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks

If it’s not the valve cover gasket, the next most likely failure is in the oil filter housing. This type of problem is much less dramatic but equally as damaging.


  • Extreme Heat degrades the gasket, flattens it out, turns it brittle, and then allows pressurized oil to flow through.
  • Dual Sealing on some BMW engines means that oil and coolant channels could leak at the same time.
  • The Risk of Major Engine Damage is real if your oil filter housing gasket fails. Slick oil can hit the main serpentine belt and its pulleys. The belt can slip off the tensioner or pulleys, hit the balancer at the bottom, and get sucked through the main crankshaft seal. This leads to a costly repair and potential major engine failure.

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Early Signs That Your BMW Oil Filter Housing Gasket is Failing


Catching a leak early is crucial. Aside from regular service visits to a BMW mechanic, you can also perform a few checks at home.


  • Shine a flashlight past the oil filter cap and look at the engine block. Oil can pool in pockets of the grid-like pattern on the block (this grid is a result of the casting process). Look for shiny reflections that indicate an oil leak.
  • Look for grime around the engine block and surrounding components. Your engine bay should be clean. Aside from dust kicking up from the road, there should be no visible grease or dark oil. If you see sludge anywhere, the housing gasket might be leaking.
  • Check inside the oil filler cap for any milky-brown liquid. This is a sign that the gasket has failed and coolant has mixed with your engine oil.
  • If you notice any of these signs or have other concerns, book an appointment with a Suffolk County BMW mechanic immediately. It’s better to find that nothing’s wrong than to face a costly repair bill later.


<h2>Get Expert BMW Service at Dee Pat’s Awsomotive in Suffolk County</h2>

Our Selden auto shop is the best place to visit when you need an experienced BMW mechanic in Suffolk County. We can detect and repair oil leaks before they become costly engine problems.


As an independent BMW mechanic , our service is cost-efficient. You can save money and time compared to going to a dealership, but you will sacrifice nothing in terms of quality. We offer OEM and premium aftermarket parts and fluids.


Our auto shop is conveniently located just minutes from the heart of Selden, and nearby locations like Stony Brook, Farmingville, Coram, Centereach, and Mt. Sinai. Book your BMW repair online, or call us at (631) 698-1058 today.


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Areas We Serve

Visit our shop at  900 Middle Country Rd, Selden, NY 11784  or call us at (631) 698-1058 for expert Suspension Repair you can trust

  • Coram
  • Centereach
  • Farmingville
  • Terryville
  • Patchogue
  • Smithtown
  • Holtsville
  • Medford
  • Lake Grove
  • Holbrook
  • Nesconset
  • Middle Island
  • Blue Point
  • Ronkonkoma
  • Mount Sinai
  • East Setauket
  • Setauket
  • Stony Brook
  • Bohemia
  • South Setauket