Hey folks,
I bought a used X5 from a friend a few weeks ago. I had to drive it from AZ to WA. One issue with the transfer case actuator/controller that I'm working, but not too worried about it. Drove about 1700 miles after I changed the oil after buying it. Checked the oil level at the beginning and the end of the trip, it was on full both times. No leaks. Drove father in law to cancer treatments for 5 days (probably 400 miles total) and things seemed fine. Then I noticed an oil spot on the driveway. Checked oil. I was down 2/3 of a quart. Pulled pans below, looked around and all oil drips from drivers side (i.e. it's not the valve cover gasket, I just replaced one of those on my 2010 X3). Oily around filter housing. Nothing on serpentine belt. Pulled a lot of oil out of a pocket above the filter housing and found the head of the bolt for the attachment from the filter housing to the alternator bracket (looks like it was broken awhile ago). Lots of oil on the front plastic pan (brush guard) and the aluminum stiffening pan. Cleaned everything as much as possible. Reassembled. Drove about 50 miles, oil level went from down 2/3 of a quart at the beginning to minimum "add a liter warning". I bought the car because his old car is breaking down and I thought I would help out. Going to tear in to it tomorrow, but was hoping experienced X5 folks could give me a quick read on what I should be looking at for such a huge leak (youtube implied filter housing was a common issue). Thanks for any help. Take care.
I bought a used X5 from a friend a few weeks ago. I had to drive it from AZ to WA. One issue with the transfer case actuator/controller that I'm working, but not too worried about it. Drove about 1700 miles after I changed the oil after buying it. Checked the oil level at the beginning and the end of the trip, it was on full both times. No leaks. Drove father in law to cancer treatments for 5 days (probably 400 miles total) and things seemed fine. Then I noticed an oil spot on the driveway. Checked oil. I was down 2/3 of a quart. Pulled pans below, looked around and all oil drips from drivers side (i.e. it's not the valve cover gasket, I just replaced one of those on my 2010 X3). Oily around filter housing. Nothing on serpentine belt. Pulled a lot of oil out of a pocket above the filter housing and found the head of the bolt for the attachment from the filter housing to the alternator bracket (looks like it was broken awhile ago). Lots of oil on the front plastic pan (brush guard) and the aluminum stiffening pan. Cleaned everything as much as possible. Reassembled. Drove about 50 miles, oil level went from down 2/3 of a quart at the beginning to minimum "add a liter warning". I bought the car because his old car is breaking down and I thought I would help out. Going to tear in to it tomorrow, but was hoping experienced X5 folks could give me a quick read on what I should be looking at for such a huge leak (youtube implied filter housing was a common issue). Thanks for any help. Take care.