[Blue_76]

My daughter has a 2006 325i. She is 350 miles away at college. She came home for the weekend and after she left I spotted an oil puddle in the driveway. When I called she was almost back to college. I had her go in Walmart and get a quart of oil to put in it to be safe.

I am trying to locate someone to look at it without having to go to the stealership in Spartanburg SC... I dont know any one in that area...

I may have to drive over and take a look myself. Any ideas on what to look for? I know the usual... oil filter or drain plug but is there any area that is know to cause an oil leak like this? Just trying to minimize the guessing by having a plan.

Thanks,

Greg

[Squark]

The oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket are fairly common places for leaks. You should be able to see both from the top of the engine with a flashlight.

[cuiter23]

Originally Posted by Squark

The oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket are fairly common places for leaks. You should be able to see both from the top of the engine with a flashlight.

Yes, this is very common. Depending on the excessiveness of the leak, it may or may not drip. A common way to tell if you have a VCG leak is by smelling burnt oil in the air vents.

Also, if your daughters A/C was on for a while you can expect water from under your car.

[ctuna]

Also could be broken valve cover or head bolts which are also a common mode failure.
Do a search for Head Bolts and a lot of threads will pop up.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...aluminum+bolts

[apeyuen818]

it should be the Valve cover gasket. It happened to me last time. Remember to replace all the screws as well. They broke easily.

[apme123]

putting a quart in without measuring the oil level can blow the engine up! I have seen engine get oil hydro locked by sucking in a large amount of oil through the pcv

[GoRomeo]

Yeah check oil level via OBC (only way to check oil level) before you add any more oil. Most likely VCG is the issue.

[Pierce330]

I agree with all above: likely VCG...issue in the E46...not uncommon

[Blue_76]

Originally Posted by apme123

putting a quart in without measuring the oil level can blow the engine up! I have seen engine get oil hydro locked by sucking in a large amount of oil through the pcv

OK... she checked it before i told her to add it....

[BenõrTheBMW]

I had a hex bolt break in my oil filter gasket, look and see if there are any bolts missing with oil in the holes

[benzo23]

Either oil filter housing gasket or valve cover gasket, no question. Have you checked to see if there are any German indy shops near her campus? How many miles on it? My 06 started having leaks around 70k

[Lagger1]

Along with the above 2, check the oil pan gasket as well. I currently have a small leak there, 2006 330i, with valve cover & oil filter gaskets being okay

[blingman]

if all else checks okay, then could be oil pan gasket also.

[9352e90]

my service rep said the oil filter housing gasket is very common around 100,000 miles. Had mine replaced for $500 at the dealer at 95,000. Its very obvious if its the oil filer housing gasket.

[bernjee82]

just to throw it out there, could be the ATF as well since the ATF used by BMW is clear like engine oil, just not as heavy. Mine was leaking ATF, usually on the passenger side, common failure is the mechatronic sleeve.

[benzo23]

Originally Posted by Lagger1

Along with the above 2, check the oil pan gasket as well. I currently have a small leak there, 2006 330i, with valve cover & oil filter gaskets being okay

ahhh yes i had that leak as well...to many to remember haha

[Blue_76]

Originally Posted by bernjee82

just to throw it out there, could be the ATF as well since the ATF used by BMW is clear like engine oil, just not as heavy. Mine was leaking ATF, usually on the passenger side, common failure is the mechatronic sleeve.

BINGO...

It was ATF. She took it to a shop near her college. They were recommended by a friend in the area. They called me and said it was leaking ATF from some area I cant remember... something about a switch that needed to be replaced and he would have to drop the pan. So I told him to replace the filter and fluid as well.

He said the parts were around $250.00. He acted like he had repaired this on several BMWs in the past... like it was common.

Seems like a good guy.

Greg

[GoRomeo]

Interesting...

Was this leak coming from the mid lower part of the car, or front? I would imagine being ATF would be towards the mid lower part of car. is it?

Something to look for thats for sure....

Thanks

[benzo23]

Originally Posted by Blue_76

BINGO...

It was ATF. She took it to a shop near her college. They were recommended by a friend in the area. They called me and said it was leaking ATF from some area I cant remember... something about a switch that needed to be replaced and he would have to drop the pan. So I told him to replace the filter and fluid as well.

He said the parts were around $250.00. He acted like he had repaired this on several BMWs in the past... like it was common.

Seems like a good guy.

Greg

Yea prob was the mechatronic sleeve, not the most common of problems, hope he knows what he was doing.

[bob.g]

i have an 06 too and had a minor leak once..yellowish trans fluid. it only happened 1 time after the car was parked for a few days without moving.

last summer when i did my trans fluid/pan, i also had the mechatronic sleeve done at the same time. The leaking sleeve is common in the 06..

the mechatronic sleeve wasnt expensive, i seem to remember maybe 25$. It was changing the pan and trans fluid that was a good 250+

[kitkat1723]

Originally Posted by Blue_76

My daughter has a 2006 325i. She is 350 miles away at college. She came home for the weekend and after she left I spotted an oil puddle in the driveway. When I called she was almost back to college. I had her go in Walmart and get a quart of oil to put in it to be safe.

I am trying to locate someone to look at it without having to go to the stealership in Spartanburg SC... I dont know any one in that area...

I may have to drive over and take a look myself. Any ideas on what to look for? I know the usual... oil filter or drain plug but is there any area that is know to cause an oil leak like this? Just trying to minimize the guessing by having a plan.

Thanks,

Greg

I wish my daddy took care of my car issues like this ((

Props for you!

[ken1137]

Good luck! I always have the same concerns when my daughter goes back to school. I inspect the car and worry until she gets there safely.