Oil sump gasket leak

ed-320d · 03-13-2008, 11:11 PM

During my routine "in between service oil change", the mechanic at Brisbane Motor Works found that I have oil leaks from the oil sump gasket. Is this a diesel thing? Given that the engine have such high pressure and heat.

My car is just about to reach one year old. Pretty disappointed. But on the bright side, I am glad the problem is found early. I am 10000km away from the scheduled service.

I know in US the were a few posts about oil leak. Does anyone have similar experience in Australia?

JamieA · 05-20-2008, 09:25 AM

Yes I have had exactly the same experience. It started slowly at first, then came a gusher.

ed-320d · 05-20-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieA

Yes I have had exactly the same experience. It started slowly at first, then came a gusher.

At the moment there are no oil leaked out onto the floor yet. I am reluctant to get BMW dealer to have a look at it because I had just had my oil changed. I am afraid they are going to flush the oil out into a dirty pan and pour them all back into the engine again later when they fixed the leak.

How did you first notice it and how does does the mechanic require to fix it?

1q2w3e4r · 05-20-2008, 11:51 PM

Cars under warranty mate, that makes it BMW's problem. Changing oil isn't going to cause an oil leak unless you haven't had something tightened properly. If it was noticed during the change its an existing problem. Have it taken in and sorted out.

JamieA · 05-21-2008, 08:40 AM

I noticed it because I looked at the "dipstick" one day and saw it was nearly out of oil, which was a bit of a shock. I check it regularly, so I called the dealer, and on the way I started getting check control warnings about the oil being low, lucky I was about 1km from the dealer. It was due for a service and oil change, so I got all that done and drove away thinking problem solved.

I went on a trip that weekend and the oil level reported by the trip computer went down by one square over a weekend. I thought it was starting to look suspicious and I was worrying that something was wrong with the engine itself to consume so much oil. Then the next day I noticed spotting on the garage floor for the first time and called the dealership. They got me in the next day, but the next morning the spotting had turned into a pool on the garage floor. Luckily there was enough oil and I wasn't getting low oil warnings on the way to the dealer this time.

They said it was a faulty gasket on the sump plug. I would say it was like that the first time I took it in, but they didn't raise the issue for some reason. Perhaps the leak was too slow and as it wasn't appearing on my garage floor at that time, it was only coming out during driving conditions.

I would get yours fixed as soon as possible before it gets worse and you are at risk of needing towing due to oil loss. Just tell the dealer you want new oil. If they kicked up a fuss, consider if it is worth your peace of mind to offer paying for it...

VGR00 · 05-21-2008, 05:19 PM

I'm 99.9% sure they would not use your existing oil. Doesn't make sence they would do such a thing and they shouldn't charge you for the oil either. Just tell them the leak was noticed during the oil change you had done.

03-13-2008, 11:11 PM	#1
ed-320d Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 209 Posts Drives: Prado 150, CT200h Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 Lexus [0.00]	Oil sump gasket leak During my routine "in between service oil change", the mechanic at Brisbane Motor Works found that I have oil leaks from the oil sump gasket. Is this a diesel thing? Given that the engine have such high pressure and heat. My car is just about to reach one year old. Pretty disappointed. But on the bright side, I am glad the problem is found early. I am 10000km away from the scheduled service. I know in US the were a few posts about oil leak. Does anyone have similar experience in Australia? __________________ 320d (E90) Sparkling Graphite, Bi-Xenon, Rear PDC, 17 Alloy 158(athome) 157 (On the car), Climate comfort Wscreen, Sport Steer, Electric Rear Blind, Mirror Package, Lemon interior with poplar trim, Comfort access, Partial Electric Seats, Through Loading and Adjustable Arm Rest
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05-20-2008, 09:25 AM	#2
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	Yes I have had exactly the same experience. It started slowly at first, then came a gusher. __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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05-20-2008, 11:51 PM	#4
1q2w3e4r Breakfast at Tiffany's 24 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Cars under warranty mate, that makes it BMW's problem. Changing oil isn't going to cause an oil leak unless you haven't had something tightened properly. If it was noticed during the change its an existing problem. Have it taken in and sorted out.
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05-21-2008, 08:40 AM	#5
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	I noticed it because I looked at the "dipstick" one day and saw it was nearly out of oil, which was a bit of a shock. I check it regularly, so I called the dealer, and on the way I started getting check control warnings about the oil being low, lucky I was about 1km from the dealer. It was due for a service and oil change, so I got all that done and drove away thinking problem solved. I went on a trip that weekend and the oil level reported by the trip computer went down by one square over a weekend. I thought it was starting to look suspicious and I was worrying that something was wrong with the engine itself to consume so much oil. Then the next day I noticed spotting on the garage floor for the first time and called the dealership. They got me in the next day, but the next morning the spotting had turned into a pool on the garage floor. Luckily there was enough oil and I wasn't getting low oil warnings on the way to the dealer this time. They said it was a faulty gasket on the sump plug. I would say it was like that the first time I took it in, but they didn't raise the issue for some reason. Perhaps the leak was too slow and as it wasn't appearing on my garage floor at that time, it was only coming out during driving conditions. I would get yours fixed as soon as possible before it gets worse and you are at risk of needing towing due to oil loss. Just tell the dealer you want new oil. If they kicked up a fuss, consider if it is worth your peace of mind to offer paying for it... __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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05-21-2008, 05:19 PM	#6
VGR00 Major 53 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 430i Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane - Australia iTrader: (1)	I'm 99.9% sure they would not use your existing oil. Doesn't make sence they would do such a thing and they shouldn't charge you for the oil either. Just tell them the leak was noticed during the oil change you had done.
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