Q: My oil filter cap broke

asked by on July 11, 2016

Ok so Saturday I decided to do my first oil change on this car (I bought this car on January 2016). The oil filter cap was very tight so eventually I loosen it but it cracked. I went to the dealer and bought a new cap; somehow when I tried installing it, it got cross threaded. So I quit the oil change until yesterday. I ordered a second cap at OReilly. I pick it up today and tried installing it but it won't go in, its like it wants to cross thread, weird part of this is that the cracked cap goes in with no problems.

My car has 97060 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement $292.08 - $437.68 Get a Quote

It’s very possible that the threads on the housing were damaged or warped when the old filter cap was overtightened so much. If neither of the new caps will cleanly go in, then I would recommend replacing the entire oil filter housing. Unfortunately failed oil filter housing are a very common issue for BMW.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What do the iPod error messages mean?
While connecting your iPod to your car’s radio and listening to music stored on the device is pretty simple, there can be problems. When the system encounters an issue, it will display one of several different error codes. Understanding these...
How does my truck “know” if there is a passenger sitting in the passenger seat?
There are two sensors that are used to determine if there is a passenger currently seated and buckled in. One sensor is in the seat itself -- to sense when there is adequate pressure on the seat. The other sensor...
Horn sounds by itself
This is generally caused by a short in the steering wheel cable reel assembly, but could also be a bad horn switch, or horn relay. If the cable reel is faulty, the steering wheel will have to be removed, and...
Steering wheel shakes at highway speed
If you have a bent rim then you may also have a tire balance and front end alignment issue. Have the tire and rim put on a balancer to check for a bent rim and any balance or tire issues....
Electric fan sounds like a jet.
Your vehicle has two separate cooling fans. One is for low and medium speeds. The other one is high speed only. Your vehicle has two separate circuits and only the high speed is working or your vehicle is running hot...
the car starts but the steering wheel is locked and won't turn
Hello. There may be a couple things going on here. If the steering wheel is indeed locked in position, the steering lock mechanism behind the steering wheel may be stuck and in need of a replacement. If the steering wheel...
Brakes are making squeaking noise - 1980 Toyota Cressida
Brake noise or chatter occurs when the brake pad backings vibrate in the pad guides and caliper housing. Often the application of a brake grease or anti-seize lubricant can be applied to the contact point of the brake pad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement)...
Van will start sputtering then shut off after running my delivery route for a couple hours
Hi there. Replacing the ignition control module, you may have touched on something that allowed your engine to run fine for a day. The fact, it runs fine for a couple of hours and then starts sputtering and dies, leads...
Tune Up when? 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva
Hello - if your engine has not had a tune-up (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-an-engine-inspection-entail) in the last 2 years, it's certainly a good idea, especially going into winter. Ditto with an oil change and coolant flush. If there are any other indicators (leaks,...

Related articles

How Often Should the Steering System Be Inspected?
It’s It’s usually better to fix an automotive problem early than to wait until it causes more damage or even an accident. And that general principle applies to the steering system. Luckily, periodic inspection and maintenance of the steering system...
How to Check Your Oil
Changing engine oil is an important part of basic car care. Check motor oil on the dipstick to know if you need to add oil to your engine.
How to Replace a Front Output Shaft Oil Seal on Most Cars
The oil seal on the front output shaft is faulty when there are unusual noises or leaking coming from the transfer case.