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Small oil weep
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- Newbie
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:18 pm
Small oil weep
Cleaning the car the other day I noticed a small oil weep from the top of the engine on my 2009 3.0i sdrive.
It’s very slight and prob both worth doing anything about it at this stage unless it’s a simple tightening job.
There is some oil on top of the rocker cover joint but also a little higher up near the injector area. I can’t tell if it’s leaking near the top and running down or from the lower rocker cover area and being blown up. See pics. The pic of the top end isn’t focussed properly - need to look at the bolt head in the background.
So question is, is one of these a likely candidate. My hunch on past cars would be the rocker cover but is it the same with the e89? Would you tighten and rocker cover bolts a little as a first step? Have to invest in a torx socket!
Any thoughts appreciated.
It’s very slight and prob both worth doing anything about it at this stage unless it’s a simple tightening job.
There is some oil on top of the rocker cover joint but also a little higher up near the injector area. I can’t tell if it’s leaking near the top and running down or from the lower rocker cover area and being blown up. See pics. The pic of the top end isn’t focussed properly - need to look at the bolt head in the background.
So question is, is one of these a likely candidate. My hunch on past cars would be the rocker cover but is it the same with the e89? Would you tighten and rocker cover bolts a little as a first step? Have to invest in a torx socket!
Any thoughts appreciated.
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- tintoverano
- Member
- Posts: 666
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Small oil weep
I just saw the same on mine
the cylinder head cover gasket leaks https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=11_3737
this is for my engine https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e89- ... id/GVJnZWG
lots of DIY videos
the cylinder head cover gasket leaks https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=11_3737
this is for my engine https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e89- ... id/GVJnZWG
lots of DIY videos
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
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- Lifer
- Posts: 4049
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- Location: Stourbridge
Small oil weep
I have some oil in the no4 spark plug hole and near by on my 23i. I'm just keeping an eye on it. It's nothing major.
- Chris_D
- Lifer
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Small oil weep
When you start noticing oilspots on the floor under the car or when the engine starts smoking and smelling would be the time to address it.
Until then don’t *kof* sweat it.
Until then don’t *kof* sweat it.
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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- Newbie
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Small oil weep
Thanks guys. As I thought. I’ll not be doing anything hasty yet! Thanks
- enzed4
- Lifer
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- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Small oil weep
Looking at that I'd guess rocker cover gasket, or worse, the actual rocker cover. Mine was cracked and leaking oil so needed replacing. Very common on the N54 unfortunately
Oops sorry, just re-read your post - 3.0i is N52 not N54, I don't think it's a problem on these engines?
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- lucasxdiniz
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Small oil weep
This looks like the Valvetronic motor gasket to me. I'd replace it as it's very straight forward and will only cost you £20. Don't let your engine get get covered in oil and dirt.
I have made a posted some photos of that job here.
I have made a posted some photos of that job here.
Z4MC: Interlagos Blue | Individual Champagne | BC Racing RS Coilovers | Powerflex Arms | 4.1 FD
- tintoverano
- Member
- Posts: 666
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Small oil weep
N52s (are) are prone to valve cover and valvetronic motor gasket leaks
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
- Smartbear
- Lifer
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- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Small oil weep
I’d be wary of trying to “nip up” those bolts, they’re aluminium bolts going into a magnesium head so won’t take any over tightening
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- tintoverano
- Member
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Small oil weep
and need to be replaced, right?
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
- Smartbear
- Lifer
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- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Small oil weep
Single use, i replaced with new when changing the water pump
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- tintoverano
- Member
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Small oil weep
thanks
oddly, the videos on youtube don't mention this
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
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- Senior Member
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- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
Small oil weep
its not the rocker cover, you can clearly see the leak source is above the rocker cover/head joint. I am not familiar with the 3.0i but I presume that like the 23i it has the small electric motor in the middle of the rocker cover (drivers side) that changes the valve settings when you select sport mode.
Looking at the pictures I think your problem is around here.
Looking at the pictures I think your problem is around here.
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
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- Newbie
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:18 pm
Small oil weep
Yes reading comments I suspect it could be the vanos pump gasket. Is it literally a couple of bolts on the pump to remove it and swap gasket or is anything else involved?
Thanks all
Thanks all
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Small oil weep
That’s the valvetronic motor, when sport mode is on, the fly by wire accelerator pedal to throttle body ratio becomes non linear to give more perky response but the valvetronic operation (valve lift) isn’t altered.mcbutler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:07 pm its not the rocker cover, you can clearly see the leak source is above the rocker cover/head joint. I am not familiar with the 3.0i but I presume that like the 23i it has the small electric motor in the middle of the rocker cover (drivers side) that changes the valve settings when you select sport mode.
Looking at the pictures I think your problem is around here.
The engine makes the same power in sport as it does in normal mode
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold