Are you buying OEM filters? I found that the ones at Autozone were about 1-2 mm taller than OEM, so I did not use them for fear of the cap not sealing well and causing a leak. Plus, its just better to use OEM filters as far as I'm concerned. I don't thiink that it's worth the $4-5 savings for something as important as the oil filter.

The little plastic bag that comes with the filter should have the following items:

• Large O-ring for the oil filter housing cap
• Small O-ring for the tip of the long bolt that goes through the housing cap
• Smaller copper gasket for the base of the long bolt that goes through the housing cap
• larger copper gasket (only slightly larger than the other one) for the oil pan gasket plug

Replace all of these with every oil change. Again, it doesn't take a lot of torque for the long bolt to make the gasket seal.

When I did my first oil change on the E34 I recently bought, someone had not removed the previous gasket at the base of the long bolt. I removed the bolt and found two gaskets and silicone Took both of the gaskets off, cleaned up the bolt and cap and did it the proper way. No leaks.

__________________
Steve

Calypso Red 1992 525i with 170K miles

1991 735i - Sold
1992 525i - Sold
1995 325is - Sold
2000 528i - Sold