[Mountain427]

2007 E93. 62k miles.

I installed a VRSF 5.5 Intercooler and after returning from a test drive I noticed oil gushing out when the car was at idle.

I don't think I clipped anything during install but the timing is uncanny. The oil appears to originate in the front bottom half of the engine and then drains through the subframe or is splashed by the belts.

I have a new OFH and Gasket and they are clean. New Valve cover gasket is clean as well.

When the engine is off- no viable leaks. When it's running, it will pool on the floor within a minute.

[relative4]

What kind of engine? Oil cooler?

Gravity... Follow it up.

[NinetyEight740]

I’ve seen cooler lines fail and leak out in a stream.

[Mountain427]

Originally Posted by relative4

What kind of engine? Oil cooler?

Gravity... Follow it up.

N54 engine. Aftermarket cooler retrofit done 2000 miles ago.

For the lines from the OFH to the cooler, those are new and don't appear to be leaking.

As best I can tell there are two lines from the bottom of the engine that are leaking (if those are even oil lines) or it's the front crankshaft seal.

I tried to point to them on a picture.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Mountain427

N54 engine. Aftermarket cooler retrofit done 2000 miles ago.

For the lines from the OFH to the cooler, those are new and don't appear to be leaking.

As best I can tell there are two lines from the bottom of the engine that are leaking (if those are even oil lines) or it's the front crankshaft seal.

I tried to point to them on a picture.

Those lines are AT cooler lines, they are connected to the AT cooler that's screwed into the fan shroud.

Not cheap. You will need a special key tool, in order to get them off.


CTA Tools 3466 BMW Power Steering and Transmission Line Disconnect Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VI9P62..._N7PIEbNDGBYJH


There's two more hydraulic lines over to the very right of the engine bay. The are PS steering cooler lines.

Does it smell like AT fluid? AT fluid is red & it has a distinct smell.

The only other hydraulic lines you might have are if you have an oil cooler, but those are primarily on top and make there way behind the passenger side wheel well cover.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Mountain427

2007 E93. 62k miles.

I installed a VRSF 5.5 Intercooler and after returning from a test drive I noticed oil gushing out when the car was at idle.

I don't think I clipped anything during install but the timing is uncanny. The oil appears to originate in the front bottom half of the engine and then drains through the subframe or is splashed by the belts.

I have a new OFH and Gasket and they are clean. New Valve cover gasket is clean as well.

When the engine is off- no viable leaks. When it's running, it will pool on the floor within a minute.

There's a way to tell if the front crank seal is leaking, but you have to remove the belt & crank pulley (harmonic balancer). You'd also need at least a 30amp battery charger/ maintainer.

You hook up the battery charger/ maintainer and set it to maintainer mode. Start up the car and let it run without the crank pulley & belt on. It will run. If you see oil leaking out the crank seal, that's your culprit.

With 62k though, I highly doubt your front crank seal is bad. This particular seal is not a known problem until well after 125,000 miles, in most cases

[Mountain427]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Those lines are AT cooler lines, they are connected to the AT cooler that's screwed into the fan shroud.

Not cheap. You will need a special key tool, in order to get them off.


CTA Tools 3466 BMW Power Steering and Transmission Line Disconnect Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VI9P62..._N7PIEbNDGBYJH


There's two more hydraulic lines over to the very right of the engine bay. The are PS steering cooler lines.

Does it smell like AT fluid? AT fluid is red & it has a distinct smell.

The only other hydraulic lines you might have are if you have an oil cooler, but those are primarily on top and make there way behind the passenger side wheel well cover.

Hi, thanks. It's definitely oil so it must be splashing into those lines.

[Mountain427]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

There's a way to tell if the front crank seal is leaking, but you have to remove the belt & crank pulley (harmonic balancer). You'd also need at least a 30amp battery charger/ maintainer.

You hook up the battery charger/ maintainer and set it to maintainer mode. Start up the car and let it run without the crank pulley & belt on. It will run. If you see oil leaking out the crank seal, that's your culprit.

With 62k though, I highly doubt your front crank seal is bad. This particular seal is not a known problem until well after 125,000 miles, in most cases

Thanks. I will try that route.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Mountain427

Thanks. I will try that route.

If it is your crank seal, you light what to update you pulleys, belt tensioner & belt while you are in there. Also, consider an aluminum PS pulley. Maybe even get a crank seal plate.

Let me know. I have some tips & tricks for the front crank seal diy

[Mountain427]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If it is your crank seal, you light what to update you pulleys, belt tensioner & belt while you are in there. Also, consider an aluminum PS pulley. Maybe even get a crank seal plate.

Let me know. I have some tips & tricks for the front crank seal diy

Thanks. Considering how the FMIC kicked my ass I'm wary of trying the seal. Although it's not like I can leave the house now anyway if I can't get it to work.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Mountain427

Thanks. Considering how the FMIC kicked my ass I'm wary of trying the seal. Although it's not like I can leave the house now anyway if I can't get it to work.

You will need to rent a tool & buy a tube of Ultra Grey.

Get an OEM seal from FCP Euro. This way you get a lifetime warranty.


https://m.eeuroparts.com/Parts/14024...119220KITRENT/

[Mountain427]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

You will need to rent a tool & buy a tube of Ultra Grey.

Get an OEM seal from FCP Euro. This way you get a lifetime warranty.


https://m.eeuroparts.com/Parts/14024...119220KITRENT/

Solved! Good ole' simplest reason is right.

It was the oil line. When I routed my shiny new stainless steel cable I got it too close to the crankshaft and after 2,000 miles it wore through the cable causing the leak. (Doh!). Lesson learned for me.

Thanks for the help!