E92 335i Fron Engine Drive Belts Covered In Oil

wrightc21 · 06-19-2015, 08:40 PM

A good friend has an E92 N54 with 70k on it. The car is experiencing a drastic oil leak. We replaced the oil filter housing gasket and the car is still leaking about a quart of oil per 100 miles. The whole front of the engine is completely covered including the belt.

We are thinking that its the front main seal. Other than the front main seal is there anything else that could be leaking oil on the front of the engine. We are planning on replacing the crank seal along with the drive belt, tensioner kit. Does anyone have any input on other items that could be leaking or that should be replaced when we have the front bumper off to replace the seal?

Also any related DIY would be great appreciated. I have done a search and can't find much related to this issue.

blackturbo · 06-19-2015, 09:08 PM

Thats alot of oil...
Have you tried spraying and cleaning down the engine bay, then fill up with oil, and cranking it to get a better visual?

The valve cover gasket is a known issue as well

wrightc21 · 06-21-2015, 09:35 PM

I will attempt to spray down the front. Can anyone recommend any Fluorescent Dyes?

galahad05 · 06-21-2015, 11:04 PM

Let me just throw this in here: there are more cases I've seen around here of people getting oil filter housing leaks than front main seals, by far. And this includes oil leaks AFTER replacing the housing gaskets. That one can sometimes be tricky to replace--one mistake and everything looks great...until the housing starts leaking like a sieve again.

Maestro · 06-22-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackturbo

Thats alot of oil...
Have you tried spraying and cleaning down the engine bay, then fill up with oil, and cranking it to get a better visual?

The valve cover gasket is a known issue as well

I have to agree my research found the valve cover gasket is not as durable as you would expect. I am at 102K miles on my 07 and planning a OFH gasket replacement since I know it is leaking (for the second time). I am looking at doing the valve cover gasket at the same time since it looks like it too is leaking.

Plan on about 4 hours to replace it, there is a very good DIY in the forum for this.

lichtgelb · 06-22-2015, 11:17 AM

Check the VANOS solenoids. They are on the front of the engine directly under the valve cover and above the belt. It's most likely the valve cover gasket though.

alim3 · 06-26-2015, 07:30 AM

Any updates? I'm getting the same leak - if you guys do the crank case seal (which is what I think it is) could you do a DIY write up? That would be awesome!

Fortyb · 06-26-2015, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lichtgelb

Check the VANOS solenoids. They are on the front of the engine directly under the valve cover and above the belt. It's most likely the valve cover gasket though.

+1.. Forgot all about the Vanos.

3s4u2 · 06-26-2015, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackturbo

Thats alot of oil...
Have you tried spraying and cleaning down the engine bay, then fill up with oil, and cranking it to get a better visual?

The valve cover gasket is a known issue as well

OP - Whatever you do don't spray the engine down while it is running. Degrease and rinse it then let it dry before you restart. I am not telling you this because I have had a bad experience, I am only telling you this because it is in big bolt red writing in my factory BMW E90 manual - "Severe Electrical Component Damage Can Occur".

wrightc21 · 06-26-2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

OP - Whatever you do don't spray the engine down while it is running. Degrease and rinse it then let it dry before you restart. I am not telling you this because I have had a bad experience, I am only telling you this because it is in big bolt red writing in my factory BMW E90 manual - "Severe Electrical Component Damage Can Occur".

Greatly appreciate this input. We are still very concerned about spraying water on the engine due to all of the electrical components. We might just clean it by hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alim3

Any updates? I'm getting the same leak - if you guys do the crank case seal (which is what I think it is) could you do a DIY write up? That would be awesome!

The parts have been ordered and will will hopefully undertake the project next weekend. I will attempt to write up a DIY.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lichtgelb

Check the VANOS solenoids. They are on the front of the engine directly under the valve cover and above the belt. It's most likely the valve cover gasket though.

We did out best to check the VANOS solenoids but it looks like the oil is coming from the front main seal.

Maestro · 06-29-2015, 11:51 AM

Do not worry about getting the engine wet. I pressue wash my engine compartment all the time. I usually spray it down with a bio-friendly degreaser as well. Just do not use the highest presure nossle on the presure washer, that can do some damage. However water will not huirt is, they are design to get wet otherwise you could not drive in the rain.

06-19-2015, 08:40 PM	#1
wrightc21 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (0)	E92 335i Fron Engine Drive Belts Covered In Oil A good friend has an E92 N54 with 70k on it. The car is experiencing a drastic oil leak. We replaced the oil filter housing gasket and the car is still leaking about a quart of oil per 100 miles. The whole front of the engine is completely covered including the belt. We are thinking that its the front main seal. Other than the front main seal is there anything else that could be leaking oil on the front of the engine. We are planning on replacing the crank seal along with the drive belt, tensioner kit. Does anyone have any input on other items that could be leaking or that should be replaced when we have the front bumper off to replace the seal? Also any related DIY would be great appreciated. I have done a search and can't find much related to this issue.
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06-19-2015, 09:08 PM	#2
blackturbo Captain 59 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: vancouver iTrader: (1)	Thats alot of oil... Have you tried spraying and cleaning down the engine bay, then fill up with oil, and cranking it to get a better visual? The valve cover gasket is a known issue as well
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06-21-2015, 09:35 PM	#3
wrightc21 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (0)	I will attempt to spray down the front. Can anyone recommend any Fluorescent Dyes?
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06-21-2015, 11:04 PM	#4
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Let me just throw this in here: there are more cases I've seen around here of people getting oil filter housing leaks than front main seals, by far. And this includes oil leaks AFTER replacing the housing gaskets. That one can sometimes be tricky to replace--one mistake and everything looks great...until the housing starts leaking like a sieve again. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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06-22-2015, 11:17 AM	#6
lichtgelb Lieutenant 107 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Flyover Country iTrader: (0)	Check the VANOS solenoids. They are on the front of the engine directly under the valve cover and above the belt. It's most likely the valve cover gasket though.
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06-26-2015, 07:30 AM	#7
alim3 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	Any updates? I'm getting the same leak - if you guys do the crank case seal (which is what I think it is) could you do a DIY write up? That would be awesome!
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06-29-2015, 11:51 AM	#11
Maestro Major 1014 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, 2021 X3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Do not worry about getting the engine wet. I pressue wash my engine compartment all the time. I usually spray it down with a bio-friendly degreaser as well. Just do not use the highest presure nossle on the presure washer, that can do some damage. However water will not huirt is, they are design to get wet otherwise you could not drive in the rain.
	Appreciate 0 Quote