[dleccord]

i have an oil leak/oil gum up at this exact area in highlighted in yellow. what is it and how can i stop the leak?

thanks!

[weehe126]

That's the valvetronic servomotor connector. There is a gasket that can leak. I think you have to remove the VC to replace it.

[juld0zer]

Depends..
- If oil is inside the connector, replace the motor/sensor (it is all in one)
- If oil is just outside the connector then that diamond seal that is in the picture is all you need to replace. Add a thin smear of RTV on the inside surface just for good measure after you have degreased the area

[dleccord]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Depends..
- If oil is inside the connector, replace the motor/sensor (it is all in one)
- If oil is just outside the connector then that diamond seal that is in the picture is all you need to replace. Add a thin smear of RTV on the inside surface just for good measure after you have degreased the area

Do you need to remove the valve cover to replace that seal?

[rich_mane]

Originally Posted by dleccord

Do you need to remove the valve cover to replace that seal?

No, unplug the connector and take out the two torx E6 (I believe) that hold that seal onto the valve cover.

[dleccord]

if the valvetronic sensor has oil in it, or if the sensor is bad, does it make the car slower?

[rich_mane]

Originally Posted by dleccord

if the valvetronic sensor has oil in it, or if the sensor is bad, does it make the car slower?

Scan it for faults, and see if the valvetronic motor is throwing any codes. If the valvetronic isn't working properly then it would definitely throw a CEL. If there aren't any valvetronic codes then I doubt there's anything wrong.

[xxMike61]

Having a lot of oil/grime outside of the connector and near the bottom of the coil pack connections. No faults or anything. Will replacing the gasket fix it? I just undo the two bolts right?

[dleccord]

Update for my original post. After driving about 300 miles, the leak is gone. All I did was replace the gasket and sprayed everything down with brake cleaner and air compressed everything. Glad it wasn’t the valve cover gasket, ain’t nobody got time for that.

I would do be gasket first, then VCG if leak still persists.

[juld0zer]

If the leak persists, get a new genuine VVT seal and run a bead of thick silicone sealant around the seal's rubber seal. It is a BMW endorsed tip, and the recommended sealant is Dreibond 1209.

[dleccord]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

If the leak persists, get a new genuine VVT seal and run a bead of thick silicone sealant around the seal's rubber seal. It is a BMW endorsed tip, and the recommended sealant is Dreibond 1209.

would you use it in your car or honda bond?

[juld0zer]

Originally Posted by dleccord

would you use it in your car or honda bond?

Yes, i use it on any known persistently leaky engines like the N46.
I've never used Hondabond but if you look up Drei Bond 1209 cross references or search by its BMW part number you will find heaps of equivalents including off the shelf products you'll find in your local parts shop such as Permatex Ultra Grey. The main difference is Drei Bond 1209 is very thick (viscous) so it does not ooze out easily when squished together and you can pretty much assemble and go because it sets quick. With Ultra Grey you have to wait a bit then assemble.