New here! & after some advice..🤣

[Z4.lew]

Hi all!

Had my 2003 E85 2.5i for a few months now, but new to the forum!

Loving it so far, especially on the warmer days and evenings to get the roof down - feels like a totally different car with the roof up/down

I checked out the state of the engine when I purchased, nothing that needed to be done immediately from what I could see with the little mechanical knowledge I have!

Recently, sometimes but not every time, there is some faint smoke coming from the driver side after turning the car off, and a burning smell. I open the bonnet every time but no smoke there and it only lasts for about a minute if that anyway, and it’s hardly noticeable - the smell only alerts me to look!

There is some oil I’ve the AC unit (historic I believe but perhaps over a long period of time), and a small drip from the rocker gasket (I believe?) andddd also seems to be a small amount on the undertray which my other halves father believes could be a small drip from the sump (assume this is a bigger and expensive job!)

Would appreciate some advice on what it may be, whether it needs to be fixed urgently, if it’s dangerous (to myself or the engine) and a cost indication! I did say I’m not very mechanical! thanks in advance.

Please see some photos of the above and my car in general

- Lewis

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum by the way.

These engines are known for suffering from leaks from the gasket on the cam-chain cover, and it's possible that is where the oil on the undertray has come from.

I'd start by cleaning the oil off and seeing if it reappears - if it doesn't and you still have the smoke issue that's outside of my limited skillset!

[idej_z4]

I had the same thing and it turned out be the cam cover gaskets and bolts. They usually get over tightened trying to stop the oil.

[oldgitdave]

As above, cam cover gasket is a prime candidate. Mine smoked on the drivers side too as that's the way the engine leans. I also had oil drips on the engine under tray. I found 2 leaks, one was from the ccv pipework which was blocked (this can also cause smoke from the exhaust sometimes), the other was the gasket between the oil filter housing & engine. The actual oil filter top o ring seal can be another leak source so worth checking. Ccv pipework is the most expensive to buy & arguably the most awkward to fit. Cam cover gasket is quite cheap & a really easy DIY job. Oil filter gasket to engine is really cheap to buy but again can be a bit difficult to do for a beginner. Youtube has some great videos on all of these so you can decide for yourself what you fancy doing.

[buzyg]

Some good replies already. Nothing I can add other that to welcome you to the forum.

[enuff_zed]

Welcome aboard. Bought wifey a 2.5i last year and it was exactly as you describe.
A new top cover gasket (comes as a kit with the plug hole gaskets too) and all will be well.
Simple fix, but if you're not mechanically minded it may be worth asking if anyone on here is nearby who would help you out.
Do beware that the old gasket will be more akin to bakelite than rubber and all oil-ways etc on the head should be blocked with rags before you start removing it. It will come off in a thousand pieces, in all directions.

If you happened to be anywhere near Norfolk I'd do it for a couple of beers.

PS. Also you may find someone who has the engine cover blanking cap you're missing. Just stick a 'wanted' ad up.

[Chris_D]

+1 camcover gasket.
When the engine is cold have a feel around the back of the block where the bottom of the head meets the top of the engine block. If you pull your fingers out from that lip with any trace of oil then its def gasket replacement time.