Oil leak under car

3X3=5 · 09-20-2010, 02:55 PM

This must have just developed in the last couple of weeks because the car was in for service about a month ago. Noticed drips on the floor where I park, so I jacked it up and found this. Clearly this isn't right, but how bad is it? For those more familiar with oil leaks, can you confirm my feeling that I need to take this in today? I JUST put my PROcede back on last week after having it off for a month due to the aforementioned dealer trip. Getting tired of this on/off/on/off to take the damn car in...

Pic 1 is the lower engine cover, pic 2 is at the end of the cover near the downpipes.

Express · 09-20-2010, 03:21 PM

thats not good.

3X3=5 · 09-20-2010, 08:30 PM

So I guess no one else ever had an issue like this?

742 · 09-20-2010, 08:55 PM

Is the oil quantity noticeably dropping? How much of a mess is under the car after it sits overnight?

A little oil goes a long way. You clearly have a problem, but I would not panic yet.

Bartman619 · 09-20-2010, 08:56 PM

yep, may need a trip to the dealer again and time to take off Proceed.

bmw6953 · 09-20-2010, 11:47 PM

I had this isue on my 325i and it turned out to be my valve cover gasket and the gasket that connects the oil filter block to the engine block. The one that caused all that oil in the plastic covers was the oil filter block gasket. Al the oil was dripping down. It made it look like it was leaking in two places because of the way the oil was flowing down.. The dealer wanted almost $850 to repalce and my indy shop wanted almost $400. I enden up replacing it my self the part is only $25. IF you need a DIY shoot me a message

bugsandry · 09-21-2010, 02:37 AM

valve cover gasket..

3X3=5 · 09-21-2010, 12:11 PM

Thanks for all the replies. One more affirmation that I will not own this car out of warranty, or at least buy an extended one.

I checked the oil level using the dash gauge and it's still at full, so I guess it looks worse than it is. Going on ASAP though.

742 · 09-21-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3times3

Thanks for all the replies. One more affirmation that I will not own this car out of warranty, or at least buy an extended one.

I checked the oil level using the dash gauge and it's still at full, so I guess it looks worse than it is. Going on ASAP though.

Valve cover gasket leaks, assuming that is what this is, are not uncommon regardless of brand. In other words this is not a BMW issue.

FLA 335 · 09-22-2010, 03:45 PM

how much mileage do you have?

Chriztofor · 09-22-2010, 04:40 PM

OMG, you are screwed. The car is dead. I will take it off your hands for $5,000 (cash). OR No big deal, change the valve cover gasket.

bmw6953 · 09-22-2010, 09:59 PM

Dont over look the Oil filter block because its very common for bmw's to leak from there too, alot of E90 are aging so I wouldnt be to surprised if alot of
E90 owners start to see this.

Monster900s · 10-05-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3times3

This must have just developed in the last couple of weeks because the car was in for service about a month ago. Noticed drips on the floor where I park, so I jacked it up and found this. Clearly this isn't right, but how bad is it? For those more familiar with oil leaks, can you confirm my feeling that I need to take this in today? I JUST put my PROcede back on last week after having it off for a month due to the aforementioned dealer trip. Getting tired of this on/off/on/off to take the damn car in...

Pic 1 is the lower engine cover, pic 2 is at the end of the cover near the downpipes.

Did you find out what was the issue? I must have something similar as I can smell burning oil when engine gets hot, no visible leaks though except around valve cover gasket and oil level shows full.

Chriztofor · 10-06-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster900s

Did you find out what was the issue? I must have something similar as I can smell burning oil when engine gets hot, no visible leaks though except around valve cover gasket and oil level shows full.

You don't even know it, but you already diagnosed the problem.

Repsol · 10-11-2010, 08:18 PM

Think I have this issue now, slow leak started yesterday for me, gonna call my SA and get the car looked at

Mosaud1998 · 11-20-2019, 01:08 AM

Wtf is going on? I just hit 69,600 on my 2009 bmw 328. A few day's ago I pulled the car out of the garage after It sat for 4 days because I had a loaner car from Mercedes. I pulled the car out Sunday and noticed a few nickel size oil drops. I cleaned it off the garage floor and put cardboard under the car. Monday morning I noticed oil on the cardboard same size as before. So that day I lifted the car on a lift and there wasn't any oil drops nothing. I didn't have time to remove the splash shield. Today While at work I took off the cover too see if anything is leaking or if oil is dripping somewhere. I saw nothing. So I cleaned the top of the engine started the car and reved it too see if oil drips out or anything. Nothing happened. So I put cardboard under the car, after 9 hours there wasn't a drop of oil. Now I come home at 8:30pm, put cardbord under the car. After 4 hours I go pull the cardboard out from the bottom of the car and there's a drop of oil. Where can it be coming from? Just a few hours ago there was nothing. And now there comes a drop of oil out the blue? I checked the valve cover gasket it isn't leaking. Oil filter housing was replaced 3k miles ago. Any help? I can't think of anywhere else it can be dripping from. I've got a bmw certified shop an hour away that said they won't charge to take a look at where it's leaking from but Idk if they're being serious or bsing me

Wolf 335 · 11-20-2019, 09:00 AM

Well one thing is for sure, you are leaking oil.

As to what's leaking, either valve cover, oil filter housing (maybe they pinched a gasket), or oil pan.

In my case, this behavior you're describing was related to a oil pan gasket.

Good luck.

CTinline-six · 11-20-2019, 09:23 AM

what engine...?

Efthreeoh · 12-07-2019, 06:09 AM

So first off, was there any oil on the top of the splash shield?

Second, leave the shield off and place cardboard under the engine. Then let it sit until it leaks again so you know where it drops onto the cardboard.

It might just be residual oil that leaked from the OFH and is just sitting on the engine block and occasionally drops off.

09-20-2010, 02:55 PM	#1
3X3=5 Lieutenant 117 Rep 557 Posts Drives: in a lot of traffic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Seattle iTrader: (8)	Oil leak under car - this looks bad... This must have just developed in the last couple of weeks because the car was in for service about a month ago. Noticed drips on the floor where I park, so I jacked it up and found this. Clearly this isn't right, but how bad is it? For those more familiar with oil leaks, can you confirm my feeling that I need to take this in today? I JUST put my PROcede back on last week after having it off for a month due to the aforementioned dealer trip. Getting tired of this on/off/on/off to take the damn car in... Pic 1 is the lower engine cover, pic 2 is at the end of the cover near the downpipes. Attached Images
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09-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#2
Express Major General 369 Rep 8,693 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Promise Land iTrader: (17) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.30]	thats not good.
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09-20-2010, 08:30 PM	#3
3X3=5 Lieutenant 117 Rep 557 Posts Drives: in a lot of traffic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Seattle iTrader: (8)	So I guess no one else ever had an issue like this?
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09-20-2010, 08:55 PM	#4
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Is the oil quantity noticeably dropping? How much of a mess is under the car after it sits overnight? A little oil goes a long way. You clearly have a problem, but I would not panic yet.
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09-20-2010, 08:56 PM	#5
Bartman619 Captain 25 Rep 701 Posts Drives: Bimmer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SDCA iTrader: (2)	yep, may need a trip to the dealer again and time to take off Proceed.
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09-20-2010, 11:47 PM	#6
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	I had this isue on my 325i and it turned out to be my valve cover gasket and the gasket that connects the oil filter block to the engine block. The one that caused all that oil in the plastic covers was the oil filter block gasket. Al the oil was dripping down. It made it look like it was leaking in two places because of the way the oil was flowing down.. The dealer wanted almost $850 to repalce and my indy shop wanted almost $400. I enden up replacing it my self the part is only $25. IF you need a DIY shoot me a message
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09-21-2010, 02:37 AM	#7
bugsandry First Lieutenant 20 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW e92 328xi Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (5)	valve cover gasket..
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09-21-2010, 12:11 PM	#8
3X3=5 Lieutenant 117 Rep 557 Posts Drives: in a lot of traffic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Seattle iTrader: (8)	Thanks for all the replies. One more affirmation that I will not own this car out of warranty, or at least buy an extended one. I checked the oil level using the dash gauge and it's still at full, so I guess it looks worse than it is. Going on ASAP though.
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09-22-2010, 03:45 PM	#10
FLA 335 Captain 24 Rep 746 Posts Drives: 2009 335i (SOLD) !!!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Miami Fl iTrader: (7)	how much mileage do you have? __________________ 2009 BMW 335i Sedan / Auto / Paddles / Sport / BMW Assist / Heated seats / JB Matte Black Grill / Tischer First Aid Kit w\Triangle / Tischer Hood Pad / "Custom" rear fog switch <---- SOLD!!!!
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09-22-2010, 04:40 PM	#11
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	OMG, you are screwed. The car is dead. I will take it off your hands for $5,000 (cash). OR No big deal, change the valve cover gasket. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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09-22-2010, 09:59 PM	#12
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	Dont over look the Oil filter block because its very common for bmw's to leak from there too, alot of E90 are aging so I wouldnt be to surprised if alot of E90 owners start to see this.
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10-11-2010, 08:18 PM	#15
Repsol Private First Class 7 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 06 M3 / 07 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ABQ iTrader: (1)	Think I have this issue now, slow leak started yesterday for me, gonna call my SA and get the car looked at
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11-20-2019, 01:08 AM	#16
Mosaud1998 Colonel 3941 Rep 2,644 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Suburb of Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540 [0.00]	Wtf is going on? I just hit 69,600 on my 2009 bmw 328. A few day's ago I pulled the car out of the garage after It sat for 4 days because I had a loaner car from Mercedes. I pulled the car out Sunday and noticed a few nickel size oil drops. I cleaned it off the garage floor and put cardboard under the car. Monday morning I noticed oil on the cardboard same size as before. So that day I lifted the car on a lift and there wasn't any oil drops nothing. I didn't have time to remove the splash shield. Today While at work I took off the cover too see if anything is leaking or if oil is dripping somewhere. I saw nothing. So I cleaned the top of the engine started the car and reved it too see if oil drips out or anything. Nothing happened. So I put cardboard under the car, after 9 hours there wasn't a drop of oil. Now I come home at 8:30pm, put cardbord under the car. After 4 hours I go pull the cardboard out from the bottom of the car and there's a drop of oil. Where can it be coming from? Just a few hours ago there was nothing. And now there comes a drop of oil out the blue? I checked the valve cover gasket it isn't leaking. Oil filter housing was replaced 3k miles ago. Any help? I can't think of anywhere else it can be dripping from. I've got a bmw certified shop an hour away that said they won't charge to take a look at where it's leaking from but Idk if they're being serious or bsing me __________________ Current: 2019 BMW 540 (AWD) Sold: 2009 BMW 328 (AWD)
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11-20-2019, 09:00 AM	#17
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Well one thing is for sure, you are leaking oil. As to what's leaking, either valve cover, oil filter housing (maybe they pinched a gasket), or oil pan. In my case, this behavior you're describing was related to a oil pan gasket. Good luck.
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11-20-2019, 09:23 AM	#18
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6843 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	what engine...? __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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12-07-2019, 06:09 AM	#19
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	So first off, was there any oil on the top of the splash shield? Second, leave the shield off and place cardboard under the engine. Then let it sit until it leaks again so you know where it drops onto the cardboard. It might just be residual oil that leaked from the OFH and is just sitting on the engine block and occasionally drops off. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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