[DarkEnigma]

Hello guys

Over the last few weeks we have noticed a strong burning smell coming from the engine and since I planned to do a service and oil change I thought nothing of it.

Today I came to do an oil change after having the engine running for a few minutes to get things warm, turned off, opened bonnet and could see light smoke coming from the engine and a horrible smell.

After looking, I see there a small leak towards the back as pictured. Does anyone know what this is and what needs to be done?

The car is an E90 320i Pre-LCI. Oil change went smooth!

Please help!!

[Delta0311]

You need to replace the valve cover gasket. Gasket and screws are like $80 but if you take it to the dealer you will get royaly screwed on labor. Get the part yourself and then do it on your own or take it to a good shop. Average time for this job is 1 to 2 hours. Dealer will charge you between $800-$1200

[Delta0311]

Btw go and wipe the oil from the area as best as you can and drive around for like a week or so to see if there is more build up. There is always a chance that some oil spilled during the change.

[DarkEnigma]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Btw go and wipe the oil from the area as best as you can and drive around for like a week or so to see if there is more build up. There is always a chance that some oil spilled during the change.

I'll do that but that picture was prior to the oil change It was already there!

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by DarkEnigma

I'll do that but that picture was prior to the oil change It was already there!

Slightly hard to tell from a pic but if that dark brownish is oil than yeah you got a bad gasket. One way to tell is to clean the area off and drive around for a while. If you get more oil build up than it is time to replace the gasket.

[kudos]

I just had this done a few weeks ago for $620 out the door. Dealership wanted $1200... Go find a good euro indie shop.

[stoppy]

That looks like the gasket / seal around the valvetronic motor. I had a similar problem when I replaced my valvetronic sensor. Posts above are correct in that you have to remove the valve cover. Which means you need a new set of aluminum screws and 2 new gaskets for the valve cover. 1 goes around the entire cover, 1 goes around the cylinder holes in the middle. The valvetronic gasket if very easy to remove, just pops out with a bit of force. I agree with the poster above, either do it yourself or indy. Very expensive for BMW dealership.

[DarkEnigma]

Thanks for the info would never take to BMW, will do it myself ASAP... need to do a bit more investigation!