N42/N46 Oil Filter Housing Details Explained

[@NikolaHetfield11]

Thank you for this video. Two months ago I bought an e46 318i and your videos really helps to understand this engine. A lot of work can be done by yourself.

[@gst_6377]

this is useful content to see not much on the n42/46 engines online

[@Niko31101996]

Thanks for all videos about N42, very helpful for my E46 318Ci. From Italy

[@MalawijaSMITH]

Hi, it's good to have you on the internet :) Could you record a movie about venting of cooling system in N42?

[@RuCioLeK85]

Thank you, you helped me a lot. You are best :)

[@LI3TOM3]

i have water that is mixed with oil out of this unit ,its a nightmare,i was hoping you were going to say if oil is coming out of ,but anyway ,i take it it will be the heat exchanger would the gasket cause oil to go into the water pipes? when i strip it of the engine will let u know if it was the heat exchanger ,great vid thanks for showing me this unit :)

[@youtoobe169]

Very useful video!

[@peterastley-sparke7526]

Thanks for another helpful video. Have you encountered the start-up rattle which many people have observed on N42 and N46 engines? You can hear this for a second or two when starting the engine from cold - especially if it hasn't been run for a couple of days. It sounds like the valve gear isn't getting any oil and disappears once the engine is running and oil pressure returns (this is my theory). I spoke to a BMW mechanic and he told me that this is normal and the result of oil draining away from the valve gear - but I'm not 100% convinced.

[@BimmerZen]

Yes, I know the rattle very well. In fact, I have it myself on my car and I plan to do some tests to try to solve the issue. I already replaced the chain/tensioner and cleaned the VANOS units, but that did not fix it. Next I plan to inspect the oil check valve in the oil filter housing, then replace the VANOS units. I suspect that worn VANOS units are the cause. I drove N42 cars that did not have this startup rattle issue, so there must be something going on:)

[@Doganderboss]

99% vanos exhaust. I replaced many of them and it always was the culprit of that startup noise.

[@sudnut]

@@Doganderboss Do you know why they make noise? Is it because they sometimes don't lock when the engine shuts down. The two parts rotate internally from max to minimum advance until pressure builds to control them. Or is it the vanes and surfaces wearing out?

[@jacekzawadka747]

​@@BimmerZenudalo sie naprawć to grzechotanie

[@rodricktinapi6185]

@Bimmerzen did you manage to fix the rattle noise ?. My mechanic changed the timing chain on my N46 engine, chain tensioner and VANOS units but the noise is still ther. Did you inspect the check valve ?.

[@starchmed]

Hi BimmerZen! Recently fixed a bad timing chain rail guide using your videos. I now have a problem with the adaptation values for the exhaust cam sensor. Error code CDKPH2. I don't have inpa, but I use carly to read fault codes and values. Inlet is fine, reading 119.80. However, outlet is reading 120!! Timing should be correct. Is this likely to be a bad exhaust vanos unit that doesnt lock in initial position? It has poor low down power, but is okay at higher rpm. Has stalled once while driving, where warning lights came on. Anyways, keep up the good work man, your videos are a goldmine!

[@BimmerZen]

One possibilty that comes to mind is that the exhaust VANOS unit was somehow not locked in initial position when you did the timing. I would start with the simple things first, like checking that all is correctly connected, especially VANOS solenoids. Sometimes people accidentaly mix connections. Next you will have to remove valve cover and check out timing with locking tools. Also make sure exhaust and intake vanos units are not switched around...

[@BimmerZen]

You could also try swithing intake sensor to the outlet, just to make sure its not an issue with the exhaust cam sensor.

[@starchmed]

Okay thanks! I replaced the sensor not too long ago, and if i remember correctly I also replaced the solenoids. But i will for sure check this out!

[@ВладимирВладимирович-д7ш2я]

nice

[@OilBaron100]

I have bought a car with an N46 engine. It has low oil pressure when the engine runs. Aside from low engine oil, what are some things that I should check? I am replacing the engine-oil filter and all of the o-rings and oil-filter housing gaskets.

[@BimmerZen]

1. Faulty oil pressure sensor (normal open switch). 2. Pieces of broken chain guide inside the oil pickup, oil pump, oil pressure regulator (oil pan needs to be removed, everything inspected and cleaned, and chain rail replaced)

[@Jakob_D]

Thanks BimmerZen. Nice video at the right time. Since couple weeks a low oil pressure lamp is going on for 2 seconds on engine start up (e91 n46). I think it could be the check valve. Is there a way to check it? Or just take apart and inspect?

[@matmanpromotions6457]

hi, just my two cents worth, I am a mechanic but boy are these cars over engineered, I can pull two american v8`s out in the time it takes to just jack up one of these bimmers. Anyway I have start up rattle in one of my e46`s, I pulled the oil filter housing and cooler, in one of the videos you can see where you hold the housing and put your finger over the little hole and pour oil into one of the channels, you can then see if the check valve is leaking, mine is, I have a spare housing , that one leaks as well.

[@matmanpromotions6457]

Thanks for you reply, one other question, when I removed the oil filter housing and cooler to replace the gaskets I did the finger over the hole test for the check valve and it leaks which accounts for the startup rattle I believe. You mentioned the checkvalve is a non replacement item - is that still the case? What would happen if the checkvalve was fixed? I mean blocked off.. just curious. thanks again.

[@thris68]

I recently replaced both gaskets, torqued to spec, but the leak remained. I cleaned the meeting surfaces with brake cleaner and a rug. Has anyone encountered such issue? I wonder if i should use some fine sandpaper to better prepare the surfaces. Also N46 has a little different base, it's completely flat, while as far as I can see the n42 has a step in it.

[@gst_6377]

Would you be able to do a video on how to get air pockets out of the coolant system/ common leaks ?

[@BimmerZen]

In general, you open both vent screws, turn ignition in to position 2 and turn up the temperature to max. You then slowly add coolant, filing it to the top. When you se that level stays steady, you close the vents and filler cap. You then run the engine until the thermostat opens. Then you recheck the coolant level and top it up to the max. Then rev the engine above 4000 rpm a couple of times for a couple of seconds to purge the air from the system. When the engine cools down a bit, you can re-check and top up coolant.

[@robertalexandrescu9975]

@@BimmerZen " Then rev the engine above 4000 rpm a couple of times for a couple of seconds to purge the air from the system." With the vents closed or open?

[@BimmerZen]

@@robertalexandrescu9975 closed

[@menusbmw720]

Thanks.

[@XtaticVideo]

Hi, may you check noises of my N46? I have some problems with it very long time, for about 9 years since I've bought this car

[@WayToManyAssassins]

I replaced both gaskets with Elring gaskets a few months ago and the bottom gasket is leaking again. The surface was clean and flat and gasket was installed correctly. Have you experienced this issue?

[@BimmerZen]

I haven't. Maybe your oil pressure is too high? Oil pressure at idle speed with engine at operating temperature 1 Bar min Control pressure with engine at operating temperature is 4 - 6 Bar

[@WayToManyAssassins]

​@BimmerZen could check valve cause this? No other gaskets are leaking just this one and it's pouring out

[@eljuakinsitotulokito]

Hi, I have the same engine in a 18ti, and one of the conectors of the coolant in the oil cooler is broken and I bypassed that tube, so there is no oil refrigeration. I have to wait over two week to the part arrive to change it . Will that be dangerous to the engine?

[@donnelbrink7045]

Hi there beemers I am driving bmw e46 318i m43 engine my problem is my oil pump oil to the oil filter housing but it don't go up in the cylinder head what can the problem be thanks

[@matmanpromotions6457]

Hi, great video. I have a question, I have a 2004 e46 318 AUTO with a bad N46 engine, can I fit an N42 engine in its place? THANK YOU

[@BimmerZen]

I'm not 100% sure, but i think it should work. Engines have same head, and internals like crank, pistons, rods, valve cover... i think the only difference is the ECU. N46 cars use just one single ECU that also controlls the valvetronic (N42 has separate ECU for valvetronic)

[@randyapril2351]

what do you think if the oil cooler is modified to be external?

[@zuyonokvideo]

Thx to video

[@mareanastan7683]

I have changed both gaskets and Anca find ule in radiator which could be the cause ? thanks

[@BimmerZen]

These gaskets do not seal the oil/coolant interface. You might have a bad oil cooler.

[@OilBaron100]

Do you have a part number for the oil-pressure regulator valve? How can I replace it?

[@BimmerZen]

Remove oil pan, it's on the bottom right side of the oil pump housing. PN: 11417507648, 11417507755

[@OilBaron100]

@@BimmerZenit looks like the shaft on my oil pump sprocket has failed. Is that a common failure?

[@BimmerZen]

@@OilBaron100 no, but please explain what exactly failed and what the damage is?

[@OilBaron100]

@@BimmerZen I can’t upload a photo here. There is a sprocket at the front of the engine, a chain spins the sprocket. The sprocket sits on a shaft to the oil pump. The sprocket has snapped and the sprocket is no longer connected to the oil pump.

[@RayronOfficial]

Where can I put an oil manometer?

[@BimmerZen]

Oil pressure sensor/switch, but you need to remove the intake manifold to get to it. There is also a special tool that acts as an oil filter cover and has a manometer fitting.

[@NikolaHetfield11]

Does anyone know what could be the cause for big fuel consumption on this engine? Mine is about 15-16 litres /km.

[@BimmerZen]

Any error if you scan with INPA?

[@Rea-per]

Do you have the 1.8 liter or bigger? Touring or compact? Most times (of what I heard) when fuel economy drops, the VANOS system isn't doing its job. Hook it up to a computer and find the faulty sensor/actuator.

[@hjjh740]

good ~~^^

[@ahmadkheiro735]

Hi, i have a 318ci with 170k km on the clock, witch burning 1l/1000km approx., I have done the ccv changed but no change still smoks alot when start heating up. I'm using castrol 5w30. Any solutions for this ? or the car is just out 😔 Thanks.

[@ahmadkheiro735]

It smoks a little from engine bay when cold start and rpm returns to normal !

[@BimmerZen]

Your valve stem seals are bad, you can replace them yourself if you have some tools and patience. Here are my detailed DIY guides: kzbin.info/aero/PLcvaV8_M2DkZpcUVCwfjXivvaRIE_JReW I also made a special tool for replacing the seals on the N42/N46: bimmerzen.com/store

[@BimmerZen]

@@ahmadkheiro735 Your valve cover gasket or vacuum pump seals are bad. Oil pools at the back of the engine and pump housing and drips on to the exhaust manifold and vaporizes after 1 minute of engine operation. Here is a DIY on how to replace it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGeTnIebjJd6i68

[@ahmadkheiro735]

@@BimmerZen Thanks man really I appreciate it, unfortunetly I don't have any tools or so, average mecanic charge around 1k € for this job, I will give liqui moly oil stop à try and see if any improvements and check for those oil leaks too 👍🏻 what about oil is 5w30 is good or I have to go for 5w40 for my milage ?

[@BimmerZen]

@@ahmadkheiro735 You could try 5w40 oil to see if that helps, but 5w30 LL04 is recomended

[@ВладимирВладимирович-д7ш2я]

what about rod bearings on the engine?

[@BimmerZen]

@@ВладимирВладимирович-д7ш2я ?

[@ВладимирВладимирович-д7ш2я]

@@BimmerZen i mean when u usually change them

[@BimmerZen]

@@ВладимирВладимирович-д7ш2я not needed unless you have oiling issues like clogged oil pickup.

[@The_BarQy]

I have a manual e90 316i, can a bad oil filter gasket leak oil to the coolant?

[@BimmerZen]

No.