Your BMW May Be Missing This Critical Part! So Important!

In this video install a new aluminum oil filter cap upgrade on my E90 BMW. I install this on my 2008 335i with the N54 motor but this fits a vast majority of BMWs with different engines.
I summarize how important it is to ensure the cage inside the oil filter cap is present. I go over it's function in detail.
If you're interested in purchasing the upgrade cap you can do so here (affiliate):
bit.ly/34peEJu
If this is the first video you are catching of mine please consider subscribing. I upload regularly.
Thanks for watching :) When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[@SimplyTHC]

rebuilding my n54 , all of your videos are 75% of the work i need to accomplish. god bless you sir !

[@VehicularDIY]

Awesome, good luck! I hope to do a build video one day.

[@wellby5000]

,

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

I'm a bmw master tech, when I have an N5x engine with vamos faults it's absolutely the very first thing I check. Cause of fault 50% of the time. That's green o ring can also cause them. If it's a crap filter and that oring is all squared out it will cause them also. You put out good videos bud. Been with bmw about 20 years and use to frown upon all the diy stuff, but as I got older and more humble I realized the diy crowds info is an important part of my mental tool box!

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks for chiming in! It's interesting to hear the perspective of a BMW master tech. From my perspective BMWs tend to start being mechanically totaled around 8 to 10 years of age, you can pick them up for pennies on the dollar compared to new and the only way for it to pay off would be if a DIyer picks it up and references videos like mine. Even the best independent shop would likely need to charge more than the car is worth for some jobs. So if more people feel comfortable DIYing a job the longer these cars can stay on the road. They could be on the road for 12 to 14 years instead of the typical 8 to 10.

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Awesome! I'm IT professional and I built my own two car garage years ago by myself. Whenever I had the building and electrical inspectors over (they were super helpful btw) they always told me that DIYers tended to be the most respectful of building codes (going above and beyond) and doing quality work as they had more time and a vested interest in the job! 👍🏻 for being BMW Master tech. Nice to have specialized skills on a great marque. Love my bimmers. N52 and (wife's) N20.

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

What you said in your first reply is spot on to what we all say, I work with 30 other techs and most of us drive BMWs that we bought from a distressed seller and we made them right. Hell my 335 is close to 700whp and I bought that very care because of vamos faults the seller was having and was just fed up lol

[@Thefringefitnessproject]

As for the n20, don't fall too deep in love. I know I always see the worst of things but it's that engine (and n63s) that I see the most of. The n20/6 has not proved to be the most stout lil fella. Depending on it's mileage, what state your in and if it's a sulev state or not I'd start getting bmw to do as much as they can for free now with extended warranties like timing chains ECT. Lots of turbo failures as well, pretty sure I have a spare n20 turbo sitting around if you ever need a core just let me know and Ill ship it to where ever for ya

[@MarioDallaRiva]

@@Thefringefitnessproject thanks Matthew! Yeah I wish she had gotten The I6 vs I4. 2012 X1 Canada spec w x-drive. I had the timing and oil drive chains done pre-emptively couple years back after reading about the weaknesses. My cost unfortunately but I have good relationship w local dealer so they gave me good deal. She has only 50,000km I do as much maintenance as possible myself new oil/filter every 5,000km etc. Any reason turbo fails in particular?? 👋🏻

[@bmwid10t17]

This is by far one of the best things I have seen. There is hardly any content on this. As usual your awesome keep them coming.

[@breezy9x43]

Just picked up my 09 e90 335i yesterday. Been looking at your videos for over a year building up to getting the car, keep up the good work

[@VehicularDIY]

Awesome, enjoy it!

[@johnhutton929]

I've had this part on my car for about 4 or 5 months now no issues works great no leaks

[@VehicularDIY]

Nice thanks for the feedback.

[@richmiller6383]

What’s the part number

[@johnhutton929]

@@richmiller6383 I bought it through rock auto. Cant remember part number.

[@jahir1204]

This is great! I've been looking for a filter cover for the past 2 weeks and this model never came up! only the billet ones. Buying it right now! Thank you! Great content! Keep it up!

[@brendanmcdevitt6790]

I use your videos for all of my DIY's on my 07 335i! coming up at 92k miles now on mine will for sure do this upgrade! thanks!

[@SteveWeltman]

Always top tips! I like the way you think; too many plastic parts that heat-cycle out after a number of years and become reliability limiters. Thank you so much for posting. One of my KZbin heros!

[@DeclanCrane]

Thanks for all the hard work you put into these videos to help us. I really appreciate it man

[@Juammpy81]

I’m checking mine first thing in the morning!! Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@4amigofilms51]

My jaw dropped when you said $30, you are the man

[@albertonunez851]

When I start documenting my build, you good sir will be whom I will point to when asked. Well done.

[@cn0503]

Used to owned an N54. Great car with reliability issues but I loved it. Keep up the good work!

[@foodonfilm5935]

I bought an N55 E92 335i last year and the engine went on it shortly after. I found out from the PO that when he changed the oil he noticed the cage was missing, so over a period of 6-odd years I think that lead to the demise of my rod bearings! I was also informed by a BMW specialist that the o-ring doesn't only act as a plug for removing the oil filter, but it has a capillary effect and helps to hold oil pressure/volume in critical areas for the next time the engine is started.

[@matthewweisdorfer7757]

If anyone engineered an all aluminum water pump for the N54, they’d be a millionaire

[@SteveWeltman]

There actually is one but this guy (0-60 YT channel) bought one; only issue is he’s in Australia

[@charleswilliams7391]

You are right about aluminum water pump, even better if a engineer put together plastic to aluminum kit for BMW N54 and N55 engine this would be great for DYI doers

[@cupompa]

I found 2 part numbers for the "INA" aluminum water pump: 611176026215 & 538019210. Apparently they sell this at O'Reilly Auto Parts

[@SteveWeltman]

@@cupompa

[@TheSpeedyGhost]

@@SteveWeltman INA 538 0192 10 is compatible with the N54 engine (cf. aftermarket.schaeffler.de/de/catalog/auto-parts/cooling-system/water-pump-gasket/thermal-management-module/water-pump/p-TA-1260-5380192100 , in german) - but also quite expensive. I bought a PIERBURG 7.07223.02.0 (cf. mam.rheinmetall-automotive.com/mc/epaper?guid=173a3e69a074d32b , also in german :-) ) for my N54 335i , which also has an all aluminum housing and it is a lot cheaper than the INA (...at least here in Germany; btw. both are German companies). I haven't installed it yet, so cannot give any info on durability. EDIT: Found the Pierburg 7.07223.02.0 Product Info in English as well: mam.rheinmetall-automotive.com/mc/epaper?guid=1744d3188b81bd2b

[@TheOnlyRaceEngineer]

the best explanation i was looking for regariding my 5 second rattling cold start on my diesel. I was curious about the different openings inside the oil filter housing and thinking about the gaskets on the cage if changing them would fix my problem. I will do it tomorrow morning and update if that worked. But man thanks a million for this detailed explanation. SUBSCRIBED.

[@lotsofcurveslover]

I just changed my oil and filter on Friday so I’ll do this on the next one. Great tip, thanks.

[@DomiY]

Very detailed explanation on the cap, it’s components and functions. I have an aftermarket blue billet cap on my N54, however it utilizes the original plastic cage. At $27 I will grab this item and see if the cage will fit on my current cap so I can keep the colored accents in the engine bay. Thanks for this video. 👍🏼

[@eriqm1]

Vehicular DIY, thank you for sharing another awesome video and continuously educating us, more power to you and to your channel.

[@johnnywulff4816]

Accidentally threw the old cage away yesterday and bought this metal one. The old filter has collapsed in on itself and crushed the plastic cage exactly as mentioned in this video. This part is indeed important.

[@alexcelbun]

Thank you, friend. Glad to follow you transforming this engine in a "million" one :)

[@noelelnolo9642]

Great video! Never thought of the cap to be a weak link! Thank u!

[@Thomasr20de]

Thanks for the info. Just ordered two, one for the F25 and the other for the E90.

[@jimchow411]

Yes I was worried about not installing the cage for the oil filter. GREAT info thanks 😊

[@machtschnell7452]

Great upgrade, thank you. K&N Filter sticker is hilarious.

[@VehicularDIY]

Haha yeah that came with the car when I bought it.

[@filipwennergren2712]

Bought one! Thanks alot for this video! Greatings from Stockholm Sweden.

[@cuttingedgecool7235]

Excellent video, thanks a Million! I'm ordering that Aluminum cap and cage today!

[@GuamanianBlood619]

Defiantly going to be upgrading this next oil change on my e60 👍🏽 thanks man

[@minhchung88]

so much good information on this video for BMW owners. Good thing to do your own oil changes too.

[@kar4tube]

Wow, great find bro! I've been considering upgrading to one of the fancy after market solutions for quite some time. I just could never justify the hefty price tag. (God I hate plastic engine components...) But for $28.00 - I'm in... already ordered one! Thank you for this and all your excellent DIYs! Much appreciated!

[@AgSherr]

Yeah! Got mine last year! Great stuff!

[@sli-fox]

Thank you! Going to order the part now!

[@lefora87]

the e90 community appreciate all your efforts🙏🙏💪

[@vdubskiee5356]

i did my first oil change on my 335 and when i removed the cap to take out the filter, the cage wouldnt clip back on to the backside of the cap and so it stayed in the housing and ended up oozing oil all over lol... now i see why! im deff getting this! thanks

[@jamesk8374]

Love your videos. I coughed up the extra dough and got the burger tuning metal oil filter cap in red. It looks cleaner and is CNC machined instead of a rough cast like this one.

[@dappa311]

Excellent video, I was looking for something like that , thank you !

[@ionlongid3756]

Awesome find!!! Thanks for the info 👍👍👍

[@vp5]

The e90 six cylinder master is at it again 😎👍🏻

[@may]

Thank you so much for this video, one of the only videos on this issue. I just replaced my cap that was missing the housing with a brand new bmw one, hopefully my vacuum leak issues fix. My car RPM randomly spikes up a bit sometimes and the car drives forward on its own. VANOS codes are on as well. Will let you guys know if it is resolved!

[@Neron13Fitness]

Thank you so much for this video sir! It was super helpful 💯🙏🏽

[@AshwinLB]

Oh man, I been needing this

[@Ordep1313]

Subscribed. Keep upgrading and teaching us new parts please kind sir.

[@soILLitsADVISED]

Matt, thank you sooooo much for this. I’ve gotta look into it on my N52. My idles have become drastically unstable and since I don’t drive it a lot (quarantine things) I speculated it was vanos solenoid/filter issue (I’m at 227K). However, I got my oil changed recently and wonder if this is the culprit. Whether it is or isn’t, this is a good upgrade as you noted, moving away from plastic OEM pieces

[@aligalam106]

Wish you were in Southern California. Great videos.

[@damon123jones]

best n54 channel ever

[@shiloh5199]

I recently had an issue with the check valve cage did connecting from the cap. The cap looks to be cheap Napa aftermarket but that's what came with our 2007 BMW X3 when we purchased 2 years ago. I always use Mann or Mayle oil filters with LiquiMoly 5w40 but I was concerned when I realized that the check valve was seized up. So I ordered a new factory Cap with cage/check valve from FCP. I really like the look of that aluminum cap/cage...next time I'll get that.

[@ledwysdelgado7304]

Great video.

[@alexdobrov2506]

Not so long ago had a customer with N55 who did oil change and didnt put cage back. He ruined his engine within 5 minutes after oil change. Also bypass valve allows unfiltered oil to feed the engine and its how all the filters works but if the cage is missing its worse than situation when bypass valve is open because all the oil remains unfiltered.

[@moreno746]

Need to order this asap.

[@nasirabdi1636]

Had this same issue few years ago . I changed the oil from one of those express oil change places and manager did it himself. But the next day the car would shut down every red light and have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to turn it on again . They denied their fault and bought a new one I believe for 50$ but ya I learned my lesson since then .

[@grahamepigney8565]

Express oil change place? Somewhere that doesn't even have qualified technicians let alone a qualified mechanic. You get what you pay for.

[@jov3792]

Dude thank you so so much, you addressed all my worries, went to a take 5 oil change and although I can’t confirm it the cage is moving.. I’m relatively sure they forgot either an o-ring or cage. Been driving for about a month now since I haven’t had the money to replace it with constant low oil pressure warnings (baby driving it the entire time ofc). I even asked the shop if they perhaps made an error and of course they didn’t own up to it whatsoever. Will be ordering this and seeing if I can get it installed at local mechanic with new oil change. Got 1 misfire and got a VANOS error yesterday so finally will have the money to fix, just needed research Edit: Car is a 2013 535i

[@nycshelbygt500]

Awesome find from URO. Fits both E9X 335i and F30 335i with the N54/N55 engines. I wanted a billet oil filter cap for my E90 M3 S65 V8....no joy. The URO piece looks cast not machined. Not sure about B58/S58 aluminum oil filter caps. Burger Motorsports makes a very nice billet aluminum Oil Filter Cap in Black/Blue/Red that fits N54s/N55s. You have to keep your plastic cage and transfer it to the billet aluminum cap. You might try the URO cage in the Burger cap. I bought a spare BMW OEM plastic cap (in case the old one breaks or the billet piece leaks). Move that new plastic cage to the billet cap.

[@federicotorresbordils7624]

Big and important upgrade and sometimes critical for the BMW N engines, many VANOS troubles and Solenoids pressure come from the filter cap that seems to be not a simple part of the engine system. BimmerN53

[@WeAreAllPureLove]

Again, you are spot on!

[@WeAreAllPureLove]

I bought a 2012 z4 35iS and had the same problem, engine codes, limb mode etc. All was fixed by a new filter cap WITH the insert. Btw I highly recommend changing gear and differential oils too. Including gear filters and gearbox mounts.

[@aggieE46]

The only downside to a billet cap is that it gets so dang hot. I was used to being able to lean over the plastic one. I have a nice burn mark on my arm from my first day with it after getting the car back together when I was sorting out the PCV and catch can hoses. Thanks for the content as always. I’ll bring my car down your way one of these days. Maybe a TX2K weekend.

[@nikolaosdoulas2448]

great video!

[@evanrobinson90]

You might've just saved my car. I'm gonna check it tonight

[@ludwig5103]

Thank you very much for the video. I saw a lot of oil leaks around this filter slot. Especially downside. Do you think it is something serious or just the plastic ring & filter has to replace ?

[@Psrrrraj]

Could you create a dedicated playlist for all the plastic to metal upgrades you’ve done?

[@m3forty780]

Great video. If the oil filter bypass is missing or not working well, what would be the symptoms(sound coming from the engine or oil pump)? Since the sensor is before the filter, then a clogged filter or faulty bypass valve would cause higher oil pressure readings?

[@busaman1444]

Thanks for this, just ordered, I randomly get a VANOS exhaust code even though both intake and exhaust solenoids have been swapped to brand new OEM parts. Engine has 60k miles so most likely not the cam ledges and I'm almost 100% it's the cap as the cage is super loose, way looser than it should be. Fingers crossed.

[@driftalliance1556]

great content

[@brycemironuck]

I had this exact issue. One of the places I got my oil changed (never again) ended up breaking this piece off and I had limp modes for years, and the engine was obviously pulling major timing. Finally diagnosed this myself and it was like getting 100hp back!

[@VehicularDIY]

Wow it must have felt like a new car when your replaced it.

[@chetanjiva5997]

What engine? Interesting that the engine survived so long with reduced oil pressure.

[@brycemironuck]

@@chetanjiva5997 It was an n54 engine in a 135i. Im happy to say it is still working with no issues!

[@grahamepigney8565]

Limp mode for years! Should have had the problem sorted after a few days rather than waiting years, wonder what damage was done to the engine after running in limp mode for years.

[@mohammadhayatca3244]

Excellent advice, v

[@don.timeless4993]

what an informative video! thank you so much. my hyundai azera (Lambda DOHC MPI 3.3L) have the same idea & it start having nocking at cold start. i really take care of everything but i couldn't fegure out the reason behind that nocking! so have to check these part if they are missing, or maybe been missing for a while then the dealer return it without me knowing!

[@buysncharge]

Those motors have a technical service bulletin for piston slap. The knocking could be a build issue.

[@ungbawa]

I had a major oil leak seeping through the cap seal. The missing filter cage was the cause. I’m doing my own oil changes from now on.

[@alloutofdonuts3998]

That’s better than the plastic one fer sure. I just wish it had the hex at the top for a socket. But it’s way cheaper than the billet ones!

[@jerrygonzalez2686]

Thks for sharing

[@TheRfkhan28]

Someone should come out with a kit that would change all the plastic parts of the engine with aluminum replacement parts that would be nice.

[@VehicularDIY]

100% it would appeal to a lot of people.

[@andyb8005]

It would solve virtually every problem on the n54.

[@earthwoutartehearth9593]

Hellyaz

[@hennamue8357]

That Kit might be heavier than any Singleturbo Kit. 😂

[@ChelseaFCBlues05]

Hey can you please do a video on how to prime the oil system and fuel system after engine works

[@gidmosia7065]

Thanks I’ve struggling with the misfiring issues yet no light is coming on but now I got a good starting point but pls can you tell me the part name as I don’t see the link Great work you did

[@Objectional_Opinion]

I had an oil leak right where the gasket is for the oil cooler lines. In the process of swapping that gasket, again, and doing an oil change I swapped to the URO aluminum cap. $30 on Amazon isn’t bad. Hate how easily it can get scratched tho. Wish it was black.

[@amarco5057]

thx for the trick!

[@glenf4115]

Quick oil change places have been snapping the cages off since day one. Jiffylube or snappylube?

[@philipdenner8504]

Mate, these alloy tops are okay but use the OEM insert or you will have problems

[@deividesoares7381]

Muito bom seus vídeos. Parabéns

[@40hzMusic]

I had one with cage missing and it was throwing oil pressure light when idling. I think we uncovered this like minutes from big failure.

[@lowlifewill8895]

Just got a 328i just did an oil change at a buddy house and saw that I was missing the cage I am getting p0012 code changed the sensor cleaned the vanos and gasket to the vanos does rough idle I'm assuming this can help going to drive the car to the store and get a new housing

[@402ccs]

hi how are things. excellent your videos have helped me a lot in my 135i. I'm just watching this video and I see that my bmw does not have that ring. Is it serious that I don't have it?

[@justinp2993]

I think you understated the issues with this. I do all my family's maintenance except oil changes and was working out a vanos issue and a few oil leaks on my step fathers e90 328i and found this was missing presumably since the last oil change which thankfully was only a few days earlier. In my research this is a more catastrophic issue between the volume and the unfiltered issue I don't see a motor lasting nearly as long with the cage missing. As you said even less so the more the thing is 'used'. Anyway great video as usual, just don't underplay the importance of this seemingly silly little part.

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks, I cringe thinking how many daily drivers could be running around with the cage missing.

[@chetanjiva5997]

This is most likely the cause of the timing chain guides failing on some of the cars. I this experience with my x3 n20 and somehow feel the damage will show up in the later years.

[@erikalvarez4516]

I need help! I serviced my 08 335i this weekend and I noticed that when I loosened the oil filter cap that alot of oil overflowed and made a mess, I've never had it this bad. Then I realized my cage was stuck onto my oil filter and so I pulled it out and attempted to clip it back onto the cover but it didn't snap or clip into place. Now I have a VANOs code pop up every now and then for the past few days, could it be because the basket isn't clipping into the cover?

[@Madel750]

I went to an oil change place that I used to with my previously owned N51 128i and they threw this cage...took me a day to realize that was the reason for my rough idle and Vanos issues and codes, I thought the solenoids were bad. I got it replaced with a new one but the problems never went away, and the power was down. luckily, my car was still under warranty and the dealership changed the cam phase variators. Went back to the shop and they just acted like idiots and said they never saw the car before. That was my turning point with BMW's and shops, I do all of my work now if possible. The memory makes me angry every time I remember.

[@chetanjiva5997]

I had a similar experience, I still have my x3 but who knows how much damage was done driving the car for a whole day with the cage missing. I didn’t go back to the shop because they wanted me to tow the car to them and they would have charged crazy amounts for the diagnostics and other stuff. I just hope this didn’t cause too much wear on the timing chain guides of the n20 motor.

[@thomasbacker8162]

Hi! I ordered one of this upgraded metal oil filter head with metal cage but they come loose and not mounted to eachother, i tried to press the cage on but without any luck, i wonder if it is cause off 3 studs looking tiny pins that is on the inside off the cap that doesnt allow the cage to be clipped in place but is it very bad to just put the cage in the housing where its supposed to sit, first , and the put the oil filter with the cap in at last? Will that also be able to cause all this trouble and codes you are talking about here? That it must be clipped in the cap first at all cost to make it work?

[@camiloymw]

Do i have to wait till my next oil change to change oil filter cap? Or can i just swap it out keep same oil filter and top off oil

[@levkarpets3329]

Got a question where the oil comes into the oil filter housing dose it supposed to have a black piece of plastic?

[@chrisslawson1688]

Can a broken cage cause a high pitch whistling/whining sound? Have VANOS codes, replaced those already then discovered the broken cage

[@Therealrichdude]

Hey brother, I'm a huge fan. I can't seem to find any videos on installing a boost gauge to an N55. Any idea?

[@tonymontana897]

Excellent Video Sir. An upgrade that BMW should've have done in the first place. They are slowly making these cars out of plastic and everything is cheap rubbish these days.

[@timz9406]

Can this problem exist on vw mk7? They have something similar and I got oil pressure code after the adapter broke.

[@Peeenho_oficial]

Having problems on an M57 of low oil pressure when hot at idle and truly believe this is the problem.

[@easy18893]

U mentioned that oil goes from outside of the filter to inside. But on my old engine I cut the filter and I had metal shavings in inner side of the filter every time. Doesn’t make sense

[@EddieKM]

I can't imagine any BMW owner throwing that part out, but I can see oil change places doing it. I would get that part just because it looks cool and easier oil changes..

[@5abivt]

Was doing the oil change on my M4 last week and my cage broke .., the spring shot the cage and tabs into the hood (found it all ). I ordered a replacement but did not go with aluminum . Why ! If the metal fatigues over time and fails any pieces of metal would be far more dangerous inside the filter area than plastic like with what happened to mine . Unless a company comes out and makes one from billet or is cnc’d or is of a quality stainless I couldn’t trust any of the options out there. If it’s a cheap Chinese cast metal I’ll pray for you guys 🙏🏼

[@joinsouthwest]

Hi, I really enjoyed your videos, can you please do a follow up review of the housing when you’re doing your first oil change? Just like to see how the filter holds up since aluminum retains more heat than plastic, maybe I’m just over thinked but I was afraid the filter may breaks down quicker under more heat. Also what brand of filter do you use? What’s you opinion among wix xp series vs Mann vs mahle? Thanks!!!

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks, I'll try to remember to inspect it during my next oil change and report back on it. I've always gravitated toward Mann filters, mostly due to how sturdy they feel.

[@Thuro78702]

Can I replace it without draining the oil? I started getting vanos selenoid codes after my last oil change and I'm pretty sure they threw away my cage cause I already replaced the selenoids and the check engine/codes are still intermittent.😕

[@petrospapalekakos6248]

Hello i actually want to do same on my car,get rid of as much plastic as possible, i got a n42 does this fit it to your knoledge? ( great video )

[@kingb7080]

Great information. But I can't find the link to the product.

[@zelsh438]

Very informative! I’m curious about weight differences of these aluminum and plastic parts

[@mot8862]

Big difference, will make the car a lot slower

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks! It's only marginally heavier.

[@daszieher]

Looks like it could fit the M57 as well.

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Another great video, thanks! Parts manager I deal with at BMW is disgusted with the amount of plastic components being used. I just bought some hood struts (RockAuto) from that company for my 128i. Fraction of the cost over BMW and them seem like decent quality. I'm ok using aftermarket for that application at least. How was the casting on the aluminum cage? Any rough edges did you find? Looks pretty good I have to say. I imagine there's even a slight heat sink benefit to using the all aluminum over the plastic. Hope y'all are well in Texas,

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah good point I didn't even think of the heat sink potential. The casting of the cage was pretty decent, only a few rough edges. I tried to show you guys a detail shot and when editing the video I didn't even see then come through. Thanks!