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If you suspect that your BMW 6 is experiencing oiler cooler gasket failure, then it’s time to get an expert involved. After all, oil leaks will be part and parcel of this problem, so ignoring this could lead to engine damage.
To better put this problem into perspective, we’re going to talk today about what an oil cooler gasket is and how it works, symptoms of failure that you can watch for, and we’ll also go into the ‘why’ of it so that you’ll know what might an oil cooler gasket to fail in the first place.
What is the Oil Cooler Gasket and How Does it Work?
An oil cooler gasket might not look like much, but they’re awfully important to the proper function of your engine. So, what exactly are they? Well, an oil cooler gasket is a shaped piece of heat-resistant silicone or rubber that is put in place to help seal the connection between your BMW 6’s engine and the oil cooler.
It helps to keep oil from leaking out of the joint, so when it starts to go out, the first thing you’ll notice are some telltale spots of oil underneath your BMW. There are some other symptoms you can look for, however, so let’s go over these so that you’ll know what else to look for.
Symptoms of Oil Gasket Issues to Watch For
Aside from the visible leakage, below you’ll find a few other symptoms that you might experience when the oil cooler gasket is becoming worn out or is already damaged:
- Your BMW may run hot – If you notice that your temperature gauge is showing that your BMW is running hot a lot lately, then it might be a problem with the oil cooler gasket. When the seal is compromised, oil leaks, and a high-performance engine like your BMW’s needs every bit!
- Constant refilling of the oil – Sometimes you might not notice a leak for awhile, but if you’ve been having to top off your oil more than usual lately, then this is another sign that a damaged oil cooler gasket might be present in your vehicle.
- Decreased performance – BMW 6 models are fun to drive for the power, handling, and the style that they bring to the table. When your vehicle takes a performance hit, this should always be a reason to get it looked at by an expert. This could be a damaged oil cooler gasket if you’re lucky, but a number of things may cause performance degradation and none of them are good!
- Contaminated oil – When the seal between the oil cooler and the engine is broken, then oil can get mixed in with water and coolant. Once that happens, contaminated oil can circulate in the engine, and expensive damage may be the result. Sometimes you’ll notice this when you discover the oil leaking, as the coloration or thickness may seem a bit off, but even a leak should warrant a visit to an expert to diagnose.
What Causes an Oil Gasket Cooler to Fail?
Oil gasket coolers can wear down for a lot of reasons, although the simplest one is that it’s simply getting old. These gaskets are designed to deal with a lot of heat and pressure, but like anything, time and hard work eventually take their toll.
Aside from age, sometimes additives such as solvents or engine cleaners can eat away at your oil cooler gasket and improper installation may also be a factor – With that last reason being an excellent example of why you want to always go with a professional where your BMW 6 is concerned.
If you happen to live in the Alpharetta, Chamblee, Cumming, Norcross, Duluth, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, Atlanta areas of GA or Houston or Dallas TX, then an expert is just a phone call away!
At European Service Center, BMW’s are one of our specialties, and we can diagnose and fix an oil cooler gasket issue in record time! Family owned and operated since 1979, at European Service Center we know your BMW 6 in and out and you’ll definitely notice the difference.
Our expertise helps to ensure that your vehicle won’t be in the shop for one second more than it needs to be and we’re also aware of model specific issues, so that you won’t get any surprises down the line that could have been avoided.
Give us a call and come see the difference that having your own BMW 6 specialist can really make – we guarantee you’re going to love it!