[newbimmerking]

I have seen some threads already.

I have spent about £375 on changing the engine gasket with an independent mechanic but still, it is leaking

I lifted the car up now and saw.. a lot of oil underneath. not sure from where it is coming.

Attaching a picture. any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[nsjames]

which gasket?
How do you know that was the only leak?

Looking at the bottom of the motor won't tell you anything. You need to be looking from the top down. The highest point you see oil is likely where the leak comes from.

[newbimmerking]

Ok thanks. I will check tomorrow morning.

Engine gasket is what the invoice says.so I presume it is head gasket.

[jwalker87]

I would be very surprised if they changed a head gasket for $375 (pounds, whatever). They probably changed the valve cover gasket if I had to guess. You need to figure out what exactly they did.

Assuming your 318d is anywhere similar to an N54, there are 3 main cuplrits when it comes to these cars leaking oil; valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and oil pan gasket. All tend to fail around the same time (~80k miles), and due to the airflow in the engine bay they all tend to send oil pretty much everywhere. If there's no oil near the top front of the engine, your OFHG is probably ok. If it's at the top but not at the front, then it's probably the valve cover gasket. If it's only on the sides/bottom, then probably the oil pan gasket. That's very dumbed down, but the general philosophy.

[newbimmerking]

I checked the top of the engine. I can't find any oil apart from few near the oil cap. I check the bonnet, I can't see any oil, so I presume it is not spilling.

[Bimmer Pleaser]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

I would be very surprised if they changed a head gasket for $375 (pounds, whatever). They probably changed the valve cover gasket if I had to guess. You need to figure out what exactly they did.

Assuming your 318d is anywhere similar to an N54, there are 3 main cuplrits when it comes to these cars leaking oil; valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and oil pan gasket. All tend to fail around the same time (~80k miles), and due to the airflow in the engine bay they all tend to send oil pretty much everywhere. If there's no oil near the top front of the engine, your OFHG is probably ok. If it's at the top but not at the front, then it's probably the valve cover gasket. If it's only on the sides/bottom, then probably the oil pan gasket. That's very dumbed down, but the general philosophy.

VCG cost is about $1400 at dealer, $900 indie. No way you can do for $375. Or pound.

[330istocknot]

clean the area real well, and drive it around, then check again if there is oil it should be easier to diagnose where the new oil is coming from.

[newbimmerking]

Originally Posted by newbimmerking

Ok thanks. I will check tomorrow morning.

Engine gasket is what the invoice says.so I presume it is the head gasket.

that was not correct. I checked the wrong one.

it says Engine oil sensor leak. and I took it again to the mechanic. the garage checked again and said it is fixed. but it is not. it is leaking all over the street and very embarrassing.

I put the car on the ramp now and took some more pictures. I will upload them now.
it would be a real shame if I don't fix this and end up in selling the car. I took it out after 3 weeks yesterday and it was an awesome drive. the engine is so smooth and the driving experience was so pleasant.

[nsjames]

there's lots of places these motors leak oil from. That's just the nature of straight sixes. Very long engines have very long covers and gaskets.

it's quite posible they fixed your level sensor leak and your valve cover is also leaking.

[newbimmerking]

On the first picture, there was a lot of oil on the nut and I cleaned it.
In the second picture there is still a lot of oil and also I could see some gears between those tie-up cables (not clear in the picture).

[newbimmerking]

I edited the picture to show little more details. Just think is that oil coming from the transmission.

[newbimmerking]

if the picture is not clear, I can pm I suppose. any advice would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance

[newbimmerking]

Originally Posted by nsjames

there's lots of places these motors leak oil from. That's just the nature of straight sixes. Very long engines have very long covers and gaskets.

it's quite posible they fixed your level sensor leak and your valve cover is also leaking.

Thanks. If the valve cover is leaking, it would show only at the bottom of the engine?

[newbimmerking]

E90 2008 TEMIC Oil Level Sensor 7567723 - I can see this is where a lot of leaks. I am coming to the conclusion that this is either leaking at the oil level sensor or the oil sump pan gasket/pan itself needs replacement.

Just wondering how easy it is to replace the oil sump pan? is this a DIY in 318D or need to go to the mechanic?

Thanks

[newbimmerking]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...an+replacement

Just found this. Looks like a lot of work? has one else tried this before I shoot off to the mechanic? how much could the indie charge for this?

[330istocknot]

Is there oil around the oil filter area? It can be the Oil Filter Housing Gasket.

My car had that when i purchased it, a bunch of oil under the car, everywhere around oil pan all under the cover. It was coming form the oil filter housing. I replaced that and bam! All gone! LOOK into it.

[simplesilver]

Could be your valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket. I know how embarrassing it can be when it leaks that much... you might have to change those two culprits....

[jfranci3]

Go get the neon oil dye from the auto parts store. Check for any loose cover bolts.

If your Valve cover is still leaking, replace the whole thing. After a LOT of trouble on my car, I finally did the whole cover. The problem was the vents to the oil separator were clogged. I changed the gasket a few times thinking I screwed it up, I changed the oil separator, I cleaned out the intake manifold, I checked for cracks... it was the cover. I got a 'far east' unit for a few hundred. The plastic was different than the OEM unit, but the bolts and included gaskets were clearly from the same tree as the OEM parts. So far, so good.
If your mechanic wants to do the gasket again, have him at least make sure the cover is super clean and dry. Any moisture or oil will cause the gasket to be out of place.

[newbimmerking]

Thanks peeps. I think I am going to try and replace the valve cover first and see whether this stops the leak. This weekend is my daughter birthday so will pick this up next week. have been searching the forum but couldn't find the thread on DIY. there is a video link which is not visible anymore.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by newbimmerking

I have seen some threads already.

I have spent about £375 on changing the engine gasket with an independent mechanic but still, it is leaking

I lifted the car up now and saw.. a lot of oil underneath. not sure from where it is coming.

Attaching a picture. any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Did you take a mirror w/ a light on a telescoping type handle and look behind the valve cover gasket on the firewall side?

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-7609-T.../dp/B0062PBMUY

If not valve cover, RMS then

[newbimmerking]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Did you take a mirror w/ a light on a telescoping type handle and look behind the valve cover gasket on the firewall side?

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-7609-T.../dp/B0062PBMUY

If not valve cover, RMS then

Thanks will check with a mirror.

what is firewall side?
what is RMS?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by newbimmerking

Thanks will check with a mirror.

what is firewall side?
what is RMS?

Firewall side is the backside of the valve cover that is nearest to the firewall. You can't see it unless you put a mirror back there and look.

RMS = rear main seal