Thread: 3.0 TD6 oil filter housing- what size socket?

Originally Posted by Strangerover

So I'm finally delving into the joys of basic servicing on Her Ladyship. Air filter done, bloody hell 10 Allen bolts to get to it, some of them hard to get to. Challenge completed. Now I'm on to the oil change. The top of the oil filter housing is plastic, and has a hex-type top for unscrewing. The largest socket I have is 32mm, and it's not big enough. I tried winding it off with a shifter, the soft plastic started to bend so I'm not going to push it. Anybody know what size socket I need? I'm happy to buy myself one, this won't be the last time I do this providing she doesn't blow up!

oil filter housing.jpg

36mm

Thanks Justin. Just to confirm, this is for the BMW M57 3.0 Diesel. I see you have a 4.4 V8, does it use the same housing?

36 mm I bought a big impact socket, in that size to use.

Originally Posted by Strangerover

Thanks Justin. Just to confirm, this is for the BMW M57 3.0 Diesel. I see you have a 4.4 V8, does it use the same housing?

I used to have a td6, and work on them often, so yes its correct🙂

when I first tried to service my L322 it sat in the garage for a week until a new oil filter housing came from the UK.

I sheared the top off the housing with a socket, and then ended up after much fuss and various filter clamps, brackets, wrenches not dislodging the thing I drilled a few holes in it and stuck a screw driver through it for leverage and the thing eventually broke in two making it easy to remove. That was my bad experience I hope you have better luck.

Since then I have only ever done it up hard hand tight using a decent pair of rubber work gloves. Touch wood no issues the past 200k. Reminds me the thing is due for a change.


I always put a towel or something around the filter area so I don't accidentally drown the alternator I think it is underneath.

Don't forget the little one on top for the turbo thingo. I do mine every 3 or 4 oil changes so every 30-40k, when I do the air filter and fuel filter. Probably not often enough

Hi JSP,

I bought one of the newer types of breather filter and you don't need to change it.

Think it was from a bloke over in eastern Europe, but it wasn't dear.

Fleabay is your friend here.

cheers