Oil Leak back...What can it be?

whitee90 · 11-15-2011, 10:10 AM

Hi everyone, its been a while since ive signed in. My 06 325i looks to be leaking somewhere. I checked the oil level and I have lost oil. I have small oil drops in garage and smell the burning oil. what can it be? Im going to try and take a look on Thursday. I been reading that it maybe a rear main seal. I would like to know of some people that had have oil leaks and what was the cause.

I've replaced the valve cover gasket on my e90 due to broken bolts.( so if anyone needs info on that I can help).

Thanks for the Help.

boogiee90 · 11-15-2011, 10:56 AM

This happened to me. And traced back the leak to the oil filter gasket. You might wanna try that

whitee90 · 11-15-2011, 11:09 AM

Thanks will do that. I did change it out on my old E46 and talk about cheap part but hard work. the E90 setup looks easy though. how long did it take you? what signs did you see? on the E46 oil would collect on the middle of the extra screw holes on block. is it about the same?

Elliott@DetailAddict · 11-15-2011, 11:21 AM

Yea, sounds like the Oil Filter housing area.

sammy_0559 · 11-15-2011, 12:36 PM

check the tranny gasket.

whitee90 · 11-15-2011, 04:58 PM

tranny gasket...how hard is that to change and how would the signs look?

I've heard about the rear main seal leaking anyone done that job?

thanks for the info

Wires · 11-15-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitee90

Hi everyone, its been a while since ive signed in. My 06 325i looks to be leaking somewhere. I checked the oil level and I have lost oil. I have small oil drops in garage and smell the burning oil. what can it be? Im going to try and take a look on Thursday. I been reading that it maybe a rear main seal. I would like to know of some people that had have oil leaks and what was the cause.

I've replaced the valve cover gasket on my e90 due to broken bolts.( so if anyone needs info on that I can help).

Thanks for the Help.

I'd suspect valve cover gasket. It's one of the few things that leak, and give you burning oil smell.

All the other stuff just leaks from the bottom, but doesn't hit anything hot to burn.

Syndicategt · 11-15-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogiee90

This happened to me. And traced back the leak to the oil filter gasket. You might wanna try that

This. It's also a simple DIY.

Syndicategt · 11-15-2011, 05:42 PM

If your Tranny pan was leaking you would notice a puddle underneath it. I would know, just had mine fixed due to leaking. It's another easy fix but the fluid is rather expensive.

Bobble · 11-15-2011, 05:45 PM

Not to mention it would not effect engine oil level. Tranny fluid is a different color, smell and lubricity than engine oil. I just had the oil filter gasket fixed under my last warranty visit at 48700 miles.

whitee90 · 11-15-2011, 06:33 PM

Thanks again guys, I did the valve cover gasket, talk about a job well earned. i spent 5 to 6 hrs but only $60 or so on parts.

boogiee90 · 11-16-2011, 12:42 AM

you shouldve have checked around the oil filter housing if theres signs of oil dripping in that area, because this is known for e90. but if changing the valve cover gasket solved it, then good for you

Wires · 11-16-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitee90

Thanks again guys, I did the valve cover gasket, talk about a job well earned. i spent 5 to 6 hrs but only $60 or so on parts.

Valve covers are always a PITA.

Chevy/Ford ones used to be brutal (they were stamped tin). You'd end up twisting it taking it off, or overtightening a bolt that warped the cover.

Newer cast aluminum are much better!

whitee90 · 11-16-2011, 01:52 PM

sorry i meant to say,i did that job a couple of months back and the leak stopped. im going to look at the oil filter housing but it looks like the oil is coming from the rear.

Wires · 11-16-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitee90

sorry i meant to say,i did that job a couple of months back and the leak stopped. im going to look at the oil filter housing but it looks like the oil is coming from the rear.

If you're smelling buring oil, it has to be hitting the exhaust manifold/exhuast.

queensfield · 11-16-2011, 10:53 PM

Can u post some pictures? May help in narrowing it down.

Also, a DIY from you for changing the valve cover gasket would help a lot of folks here. I suspect the valvetronic motor removal and re-attachment would be the most painful part- any tips in the DIY will help a lot of us. Thanks.

E92volution · 11-17-2011, 01:53 AM

Hey real talk... Get it on lift or high enough to underneath... You can guess all day long and ask every ones opinion but until you can good look it's all futile at this point...
Rear main seals are a far fetch, rarely if ever go out. If you replaced the valve cover gasket you can always check on your work... Aftermarket gaskets can fail, and if you used an OEM,check for cracks due to over-tightening? The possibilities are endless until you can take the time to get in there...
Oh, on another note... If you changed your V.C. you may want to check everything else that you may have touch in doing so... Don't forget to check oil feed lines.

whitee90 · 11-30-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks Guys!!!! looks like the oil filter housing is leaking. does anyone need a DIY? that way i can take pictures.

whitee90 · 11-30-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queensfield

Can u post some pictures? May help in narrowing it down.

Also, a DIY from you for changing the valve cover gasket would help a lot of folks here. I suspect the valvetronic motor removal and re-attachment would be the most painful part- any tips in the DIY will help a lot of us. Thanks.

on the valvetronic motor just remove the bolts and pull up,then out. Remember to torque at 7.4 lb.

blackbeast06 · 02-21-2012, 06:01 PM

How was the DIY on the oil filter housing gasket? I think I need to do mine.

whitee90 · 03-29-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeast06

How was the DIY on the oil filter housing gasket? I think I need to do mine.

sorry for the late response. It was easy to fallow. i think the hard part was the coolant flush after replacing the gasket i did it.

I think i Might have to replace my rear main seal.

Oil Filter Housing Gasket DIY
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476419

11-15-2011, 10:10 AM	#1
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Oil Leak back...What can it be? Hi everyone, its been a while since ive signed in. My 06 325i looks to be leaking somewhere. I checked the oil level and I have lost oil. I have small oil drops in garage and smell the burning oil. what can it be? Im going to try and take a look on Thursday. I been reading that it maybe a rear main seal. I would like to know of some people that had have oil leaks and what was the cause. I've replaced the valve cover gasket on my e90 due to broken bolts.( so if anyone needs info on that I can help). Thanks for the Help.
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11-15-2011, 10:56 AM	#2
boogiee90 POGI 143 Rep 1,096 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Jet black Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2006 e90 [5.50]	This happened to me. And traced back the leak to the oil filter gasket. You might wanna try that
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11-15-2011, 11:09 AM	#3
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Thanks will do that. I did change it out on my old E46 and talk about cheap part but hard work. the E90 setup looks easy though. how long did it take you? what signs did you see? on the E46 oil would collect on the middle of the extra screw holes on block. is it about the same?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2011, 11:21 AM	#4
Elliott@DetailAddict Brigadier General 300 Rep 4,444 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (0)	Yea, sounds like the Oil Filter housing area.
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11-15-2011, 12:36 PM	#5
sammy_0559 Lieutenant Colonel 202 Rep 1,950 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: FortWorth, Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 E93 335i [3.66]	hmm check the tranny gasket.
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11-15-2011, 04:58 PM	#6
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	tranny gasket...how hard is that to change and how would the signs look? I've heard about the rear main seal leaking anyone done that job? thanks for the info
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11-15-2011, 05:42 PM	#9
Syndicategt Brigadier General 153 Rep 3,730 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (11)	If your Tranny pan was leaking you would notice a puddle underneath it. I would know, just had mine fixed due to leaking. It's another easy fix but the fluid is rather expensive. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i e90 - Sold - Rob Beck Turbos / PROcede V5 / Aquamist HFS-4 / AR Downpipes / AE Exhaust / ER Comp FMIC / ER CP / TiAL BOV / Custom Intake / RPI Scoops / Quaife LSD / Swift-Koni Coilovers / DSS HS / Morr VS8.2 Sig Black / Michelin PSS / P3 Boost Guage / M3 body / M3 steering wheel / Adam's Rotors / Hawk HPS / SS lines /
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11-15-2011, 05:45 PM	#10
Bobble Major 56 Rep 1,232 Posts Drives: Whatever POS the wife leaves Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Not to mention it would not effect engine oil level. Tranny fluid is a different color, smell and lubricity than engine oil. I just had the oil filter gasket fixed under my last warranty visit at 48700 miles.
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11-15-2011, 06:33 PM	#11
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Thanks again guys, I did the valve cover gasket, talk about a job well earned. i spent 5 to 6 hrs but only $60 or so on parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2011, 12:42 AM	#12
boogiee90 POGI 143 Rep 1,096 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Jet black Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2006 e90 [5.50]	you shouldve have checked around the oil filter housing if theres signs of oil dripping in that area, because this is known for e90. but if changing the valve cover gasket solved it, then good for you
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2011, 01:52 PM	#14
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	sorry i meant to say,i did that job a couple of months back and the leak stopped. im going to look at the oil filter housing but it looks like the oil is coming from the rear.
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11-16-2011, 10:53 PM	#16
queensfield First Lieutenant 21 Rep 364 Posts Drives: 2006 330i E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Can u post some pictures? May help in narrowing it down. Also, a DIY from you for changing the valve cover gasket would help a lot of folks here. I suspect the valvetronic motor removal and re-attachment would be the most painful part- any tips in the DIY will help a lot of us. Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2011, 01:53 AM	#17
E92volution New Member 4 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i E92 M/T Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	Hey real talk... Get it on lift or high enough to underneath... You can guess all day long and ask every ones opinion but until you can good look it's all futile at this point... Rear main seals are a far fetch, rarely if ever go out. If you replaced the valve cover gasket you can always check on your work... Aftermarket gaskets can fail, and if you used an OEM,check for cracks due to over-tightening? The possibilities are endless until you can take the time to get in there... Oh, on another note... If you changed your V.C. you may want to check everything else that you may have touch in doing so... Don't forget to check oil feed lines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-30-2011, 11:05 AM	#18
whitee90 New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Thanks Guys!!!! looks like the oil filter housing is leaking. does anyone need a DIY? that way i can take pictures.
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02-21-2012, 06:01 PM	#20
blackbeast06 adrenergic stimulation 45 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2019 M4cs San Marino Blue Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Columbus iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	How was the DIY on the oil filter housing gasket? I think I need to do mine. __________________ 2015 M4 Mineral White/Sakhir Orange 6MT Retired 2007 335i Montego Blue/Saddle Brown 6 MT Retired 2006 325i Black/Black 6MT [IMG]m4 by senntera, on Flickr[/IMG]
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