Good morning and belated Happy New Year.

My 2009 R56 base Cooper is leaving puddles on the passenger side under the engine when parked overnight. I believe this points to a failing crankshaft seal.

I was hoping to get a cost ballpark to have this repaired. Is there a range should be planning for? I am in SoCal if that matters?

Just want to be educated before walking into a shop.

Thanks!

 

Could also be an oil pan gasket or bad seal on the oil plug. A crankshaft seal is going to be expensive because of the labor involved. I would think in the $800 - $1,000 range but I may be naive where dealers are concerned since I do my own work.

 

Good morning and thanks for the response. Let me get it in the air and make sure that is the issue.

Thanks!

 

It is a very simple job. Certainly doable for moderately capable DIYer. It took my son and I about two hours total, including goofing around and the part is like $14. I can walk you though it if you want more detailed instructions. We have the same car - assuming yours is a manual.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, especially since I got some quotes for $1,000+ locally.

I am decent with a wrench, just already busy with other vintage car projects.

 

Prices like that always amaze me. Where are you located? I can understand a bit more if it is a metropolitan area and taxes etc cause prices to increase a bit. I cant imagine this job taking a competent tech more than two hours to complete. Even if the rate is $200/hr and they somehow spend $100 on parts, its a $500 job. Something is not right.

 

I am in SoCal, and to be fair to the shop they were hedging on other things that need to be done. That said, it does seem high. There are a lot of people down here that will throw money at things...

What did you all use to press the seal home?

 

I believe a 2.5 or 3.5 inch diameter plastic pvc pipe fitting. Home Depot - $2.

 

Well that seems a bit more cost effective than the $166 Pelican oarts tool.

Thanks!

 

Lightly tap it in with a hammer. Easy peasy.

 

There is some finesse evolved. Anyone moderately capable with their hands can do it. I am sure the Pelican part takes some of the guess work out of the equation. My 17 year old did the install since it is his car. Not a drop of oil since. Honestly, the most difficult part was learning how to remove the tension from the belt and “tensioner wheel?” I think that it what it is called. It was more of a conceptual challenge as I was not familiar with BMW design in this area.

 

Thanks gentlemen.

That raises a related question - this car as 107,000 miles on it so wouldn’t replacing that belt make sense at this point since I’m in there anyway?

Do you think it would be much more work to do?

I very much appreciate the coachkng here - thank you.

 

Would you recommend replacing the vibration damper with 107,000 miles on the car?

 

You could do that and the friction wheel and get them knocked out.

 

not if it is solid and undamaged

 

BTW, The N12 engine does not have the same rubber centered dampers as the S models do. My guess is you are fine at 107K. Mine was fine at 144K and we live in one of the harshest environments for cars in the US.