2011–2018 BMW X5: Oil leak and burning smell (N55 oil filter housing gasket)
Likely causes, ranked
- Hardened oil filter housing gasketDIY
- Oil cooler gasketDIY
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
These are search links; confirm fitment for your exact engine and trim. Affiliate disclosure
Symptom: Oil on the side of the engine and on the accessory belt, a burning-oil smell, and drips under the front.
Likely causes
- Housing gaskets. FCP Euro and Bimmerpost owners describe the gaskets hardening and leaking. The repair means moving the intake to reach a rear bolt.
- Belt damage. FCP Euro warns that oil-soaked belts can shred and pieces can get pulled behind the crank seal, so replace the belt if it's oily.
DIY or shop?
DIY for experienced owners. Otherwise a shop.
Useful steps
- Find the leak source.
- Replace both gaskets and check the belt.
- Refill and bleed the coolant if the cooler gasket was done.
Vehicle focus: 2011–2018 BMW X5.
Safety / mechanic note
Oil on hot parts can smoke or catch fire, and a shredded belt can cause more damage. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 49 keyword-matched complaints for BMW X5 XDRIVE35I 2011–2018 (of 1,251 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.