N52 small oil leak

amarredz · 12-31-2019, 11:46 AM

I was looking at my engine bay and noticed that my oil filter gasket has started to leak a little bit but then noticed oil around the vanos solonoids and I can't figure out where it is coming from I don't think it's the valve cover since it's lower but idk, any help would be great

amarredz · 12-31-2019, 11:52 AM

Also the valve cover gasket looks brand new as well as the bolts, I'm not sure if the oil could be residue from a previous valve cover leak or if it's something new and the car does not leak any oil

Joebie · 12-31-2019, 12:13 PM

Looks like a typical oil filter housing gasket leak to me. The oil runs down and follows the casting lines on the block and can get to some weird areas.

Since you know for certain that the OFHG is leaking, replace that, clean off the oil as best you can, and keep an eye out for further leaks.

The valve cover usually leaks on the left side of the engine (the lowest side where the oil collects internally). I don't think its very common for a valve cover to leak on the front, further reinforcing the idea that this is just a simple OFHG leak.

Good luck!

amarredz · 12-31-2019, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joester

Looks like a typical oil filter housing gasket leak to me. The oil runs down and follows the casting lines on the block and can get to some weird areas.

Since you know for certain that the OFHG is leaking, replace that, clean off the oil as best you can, and keep an eye out for further leaks.

The valve cover usually leaks on the left side of the engine (the lowest side where the oil collects internally). I don't think its very common for a valve cover to leak on the front, further reinforcing the idea that this is just a simple OFHG leak.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for clearing that up, it was on a weird area so I wasn't sure.

The oil filter housing gasket looks like it just started leaking but I'm not sure if it has started leaking onto the belt, do you think I should change the belt as well?

Joebie · 12-31-2019, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarredz

Thanks so much for clearing that up, it was on a weird area so I wasn't sure.

The oil filter housing gasket looks like it just started leaking but I'm not sure if it has started leaking onto the belt, do you think I should change the belt as well?

Given the cheap cost of a new belt, and the catastrophic consequences of a belt slipping off the crank and being ingested by the engine, I would say definitely.

If you inspect the belt and find no oil on it, I personally would feel comfortable running the belt regardless, but if the belt is old and due for a replacement you might as well replace it while you're in there. New belt is probably like $20.

amarredz · 12-31-2019, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joester

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarredz

Thanks so much for clearing that up, it was on a weird area so I wasn't sure.

The oil filter housing gasket looks like it just started leaking but I'm not sure if it has started leaking onto the belt, do you think I should change the belt as well?

Given the cheap cost of a new belt, and the catastrophic consequences of a belt slipping off the crank and being ingested by the engine, I would say definitely.

If you inspect the belt and find no oil on it, I personally would feel comfortable running the belt regardless, but if the belt is old and due for a replacement you might as well replace it while you're in there. New belt is probably like $20.

Belt looks pretty much new, no stains or anything on it but it was squeaking this morning, which led me to find the oil filter housing leaking

nsjames · 12-31-2019, 06:22 PM

pull the belt off.
clean the whole front of the engine.
put belt on.
find oil leak.

Biginboca · 01-01-2020, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarredz

Belt looks pretty much new, no stains or anything on it but it was squeaking this morning, which led me to find the oil filter housing leaking

If the belt was squeaking and you already know you have the OFH leak then I would replace the belt. The belt doesn’t normally squeak, so it’s telling you something is unusual with it. And you know you have THE single oil leak which causes shredded belts and engine failures.

Be smart about this, fix your OFH leak and then spring $20 for a belt which is much cheaper than buying a new motor.

amarredz · 01-01-2020, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarredz

Belt looks pretty much new, no stains or anything on it but it was squeaking this morning, which led me to find the oil filter housing leaking

If the belt was squeaking and you already know you have the OFH leak then I would replace the belt. The belt doesn’t normally squeak, so it’s telling you something is unusual with it. And you have an oil leak.

Be smart about this, $20 for a belt is much cheaper than buying a new motor.

Ye I'm gonna order the parts today and get it changed ASAP, OFHG is no joke on our engines

nsjames · 01-01-2020, 08:11 AM

the continental kit is like $80.
consider doing the whole thing with tensioner and idler.

12-31-2019, 11:46 AM	#1
amarredz Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 240 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: New britain, ct iTrader: (0)	N52 small oil leak I was looking at my engine bay and noticed that my oil filter gasket has started to leak a little bit but then noticed oil around the vanos solonoids and I can't figure out where it is coming from I don't think it's the valve cover since it's lower but idk, any help would be great Attached Images
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12-31-2019, 11:52 AM	#2
amarredz Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 240 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: New britain, ct iTrader: (0)	Also the valve cover gasket looks brand new as well as the bolts, I'm not sure if the oil could be residue from a previous valve cover leak or if it's something new and the car does not leak any oil
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12-31-2019, 12:13 PM	#3
Joebie Grandmaster 775 Rep 803 Posts Drives: 2018 ///M2 6MT Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	Looks like a typical oil filter housing gasket leak to me. The oil runs down and follows the casting lines on the block and can get to some weird areas. Since you know for certain that the OFHG is leaking, replace that, clean off the oil as best you can, and keep an eye out for further leaks. The valve cover usually leaks on the left side of the engine (the lowest side where the oil collects internally). I don't think its very common for a valve cover to leak on the front, further reinforcing the idea that this is just a simple OFHG leak. Good luck! __________________ Daily - 2018 Alpinweiß ///M2 6MT Exec Rain/Snow/Winter - 2011 328i 6MT Sedan - Black on Black, Sport Package Sold, But Not Forgotten - 2009 135i 6MT - Black on Black, M-sport, JB4
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12-31-2019, 06:22 PM	#7
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	pull the belt off. clean the whole front of the engine. put belt on. find oil leak.
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01-01-2020, 08:11 AM	#10
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	the continental kit is like $80. consider doing the whole thing with tensioner and idler.
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