Tracing possible oil leak - where to start?

[Miscowjones]

Hi, am new to Z4 ownership and not mechanically minded but I have the time currently to learn and hopefully, competently work on the car.

Can anyone point me to a how-to guide on steps to take to determine how severe and how to cure this oil leak?

2006 3.0si

No drips under the car so if it's old oil, that would be a bonus.
TIA.

 

[raymond.harper]

Search for N52 oil leaks, plenty of videos about this common problem, some easier to understand than others!

 

[Miscowjones]

Search for N52 oil leaks, plenty of videos about this common problem, some easier to understand than others!

Thanks, I had viewed a few, bit over my head, but that one you linked was novice friendly.

 

[chanlon1]

What about cleaning out and degreasing the engine bay, specifically where all the current oil marks are. Run the car for a few days and recheck. It may give you a closer idea as to where the leak may be starting.

 

[Miscowjones]

What about cleaning out and degreasing the engine bay, specifically where all the current oil marks are. Run the car for a few days and recheck. It may give you a closer idea as to where the leak may be starting.

Good shout, all cleaned up and will check again in a few days.

Some pooling around some of the coils may point to seepage from the ESS seal.

Photo shows current state, cleaned up as best as I can.

 

[chanlon1]

Good shout, all cleaned up and will check again in a few days.

Some pooling around some of the coils may point to seepage from the ESS seal.

Photo shows current state, cleaned up as best as I can.

Wise move. I think after some usage, it should hopefully become a bit easier to identify the source. May take a couple of cleans and rechecks to exactly pinpoint it, but at least you should be able to start ruling certain places out.
Keep us up to date.

 

[Miscowjones]

Wise move. I think after some usage, it should hopefully become a bit easier to identify the source. May take a couple of cleans and rechecks to exactly pinpoint it, but at least you should be able to start ruling certain places out.
Keep us up to date.

Just to close the loop on this one, delighted to see that 3 months and 500 miles on from a thorough clean up of the engine bay, no hint of any leaks. Must have been remnants of a slight overfill/spill last time the oil was topped up, prior to my ownership.
To be safe, when the elec oil level display prompted me to top up, I added 3/4 litre rather than 1L and all is looking