[barkles]

Got an oil leak, appears to be coming from the Valvetronic or Valve cover gaskets with a little bit coming from the valve cover case. I've read about the bolts breaking on the valve cover, but I think I'll replace the valvetronic gasket first since that's easy and cheap.

When I got the car three months ago, I went around a hard left and a bunch of oil went on the catalytic converter. I had it towed to the dealer and they said a tech forgot to put the oil cap on and they said the cleaned the whole engine.

I drive for another 3,000 miles and notices a little smoke again.

I pull off the engine cover and immediately tell that was not the issue as there is no sign of there ever being any oil residue around the oil cap.

What's happening in the oil is filling gathering slowly where the coil packs are and when I make a hard turn every couple of weeks, it pisses over the side and drops on to the converter causing smoke.



Dropping down on just above that blank metal cap with two screws here:

[Bartman619]

I had a similar leak. It turned out to be a leaking valve cover gasket.

[Teeeg28]

most likely a leaking valve cover. Happens to almost all 3 series with NA's. Will cost around 1k to fix

[mlifxs]

just had my vcg done after watching for a few months. Very similar to yours. Dealer informed me oil filter housing was leaking as well,

It's nice to have a clean engine again and I'll be reading up on the filter housing DIY.

[barkles]

How much did you pay at the dealer? I'm thinking about DIY for $100, but the valvetronic motor install kinda scares me.

[Aperture Vision]

Originally Posted by barkles

How much did you pay at the dealer? I'm thinking about DIY for $100, but the valvetronic motor install kinda scares me.

You should just DIY. Save so much money and learn so much about your car. With the right tools, you could have the valve cover off in less than an hour.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by barkles

How much did you pay at the dealer? I'm thinking about DIY for $100, but the valvetronic motor install kinda scares me.

I paid $780 at the dealer. Also had an indy quote for $680. Decided to go with dealer for work guarantee and loaner car.

Before making this decision, I took a couple runs at the crankcase breather hose. If I had been able to remove, I would have DIY'd as the parts cost is pretty low. Decided to not risk breaking the hose.

[barkles]

Ok so I dropped it off at the dealer early Monday morning. It was the Eccentric Shaft Sensor and it's $1,500. I'm reaching out to BMW for good will assistance.

[Mrpimpin6]

Originally Posted by barkles

Ok so I dropped it off at the dealer early Monday morning. It was the Eccentric Shaft Sensor and it's $1,500. I'm reaching out to BMW for good will assistance.

Did you ever find what it was? I have 08 328xi n51 I had leak in the same spot with white smoke coming from the bottom passenger side of engine before and after valve cover gasket replacement, im thinking it’s the head gasket which most likely due to my situation but I want to see if there’s any thing I can do to it before going the full mile of HG