Our oil leak...

[maryem]

You lot advised me that we probably had a plastic rocker cover burst. "cracked cam box", Here's the update -

The garage (vauxhall dealership) had the car in today then phoned the husband to say it's the rocker box gasket, and wanted us to take the car home while they "sent away for a gasket". Husband refused this saying he wasn't going to drive it like that, and we'll hang onto the courtesy car until they fix ours. He also told them that there is a known fault in the Z4 re the plastic rocker box cover you told us about above.
In your expert opinion Z4ers - what do you think? Might the mechanic be right or is he just guessing? Husband wasn't there when he checked it so we don't know.

[B21]

It could well be the gasket…both the gasket and cam box can fail…if they think it’s the gasket I think you have to roll with it..of course if they fit the gasket and it still leaks then it’s the cam box ..

[maryem]

Well that's true thanks, will pass on to the husband. Who is rapidly going off BMWs

[B21]

Well that's true thanks, will pass on to the husband. Who is rapidly going off BMWs

Not a great start..best to find a good Indy you can trust going forward..

[maryem]

The warranty's in place for a year, then he def will do that B21

[Roberltd2]

On the advice of my mechanic (who had cosulted a BMW specialist colleague of his) I ended up buying the rocker cover and gasket as one item. Fitting the gasket (PVC membrane) on its own can be a bit hit or miss in the long term by all accounts.
This was in March of this year and I'm relieved to report that so far it's all good.
I also fitted a new eccentric shaft sensor and seal at the same time.

[Roberltd2]

Apologies, I didn't realise this relates to the E89. Mine's an E85 but the above might still be relevant.
Robert.

[maryem]

That would be sensibe robeltd, I bet a good BMW garage would do that. But this lot probably won't. You can't even get in to talk to the mechanic, they're hidden away round the back and you just sit in reception with the lassie on the desk. Husband used a really good garage before but we moved... Thanks for that, husband agrees that would be the sensible thing to do.

[javis20]

I've done both e85 and e89 rocker box gaskets. No problem keeping the gasket in place using a real BMW gasket.

[maryem]

Javis I hope this garage can do the same then. You give me hope

[maryem]

Got the wee car back yesterday so will see how things go. Mechanic spoke to husband and explained, said it was the gasket not the cover, gasket had turned hard or something - menfolk techie stuff and I lost interest Hope things go well now