Oil leak - how concerned should I be?

[Saiyu]

So I'm the proud new owner of a 06 plate E85 and doing the inspection in the full sunlight (I know, shouldn't have fallen in love with it before buying) I can see some oil around the rear of the engine. It starts around the back and stops before the end of the rearmost cylinder. Looks like it's coming from the cam cover. I'm more worried however about some oil I can see on top of the steering column which looks like it's dripped down from somewhere, so will have to wait until I take the undertray off to see precisely where it's coming from.

But how worried should I be about oil leaks. It's only done 41k and looks great bodywork wise.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Private or trade sale?

 

[MrPT]

Steering column oil could be overspill from an oil service. The slow leak underneath could be from an over-tightened sump bolt.

That's the optimistic view. Good luck!

 

[GuidoK]

Biggest chance for oil leaks for this car at this age&mileage are cam cover seal or maybe crank case ventilation.

Both are relative easy fixes. If you have 2 right hands you can fix it yourself.

 

[eleflo]

could be a vacuum pump leak, thats at the back of the engine, I had this, dropped on the exhaust.

 

[85genius]

Mine actually had 2 leaks when I bought it, Rocker cover gasket and oil filter gasket, the first is the least of the issues as it is much easier to get at, but I got them both fixed pretty cheaply, paid less than £400 for both gaskets 2 auxiliary belts (only did them because they had to come off to get to the oil filter gasket) and a full service with new spark plugs.

 

[Saiyu]

It was a trade - the guy sellling was nice enough. Thanks guys, will be looking closer on Tuesday

 

[cj10jeeper]

It was a trade - the guy sellling was nice enough. Thanks guys, will be looking closer on Tuesday

You should do nothing other than contact the seller immediately and get it repaired under warranty or sale of goods. You have proper protection even if no specific warranty was provided or sold to you

If you have any issues whatsoever from the seller, or need clarification then come back and get specific advise.

 

[tug]

could be a vacuum pump leak, thats at the back of the engine, I had this, dropped on the exhaust.

If it is this, then an indie will charge @£500 for this as the VP will have to be renewed also. God knows how much a stealer would charge!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

It was a trade - the guy sellling was nice enough. Thanks guys, will be looking closer on Tuesday

You should do nothing other than contact the seller immediately and get it repaired under warranty or sale of goods. You have proper protection even if no specific warranty was provided or sold to you

If you have any issues whatsoever from the seller, or need clarification then come back and get specific advise.

Exactly why I asked. Throw the ball their way to sort.

 

[Saiyu]

Turns out it's the vacuum pump (forgot to mention my dad's a mechanic! :rofl: ) and am getting the seal from BMW tomorrow. Was easy enough to take off - just 3 bolts hold it on. About getting the previous owner to do it - I didn't know warranties existed like that! Am happy still with the car as it's tidy everywhere else, is the Sport version (love the ride!) and has only 41k on the clock.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You have a lot of rights when it comes to trade sales. Glad it's a simple fix, most things are and the forum is a great help.

 

[Saiyu]

Just noticed I put trade instead of private. Sorry for the confusion

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Private not so much! Basically sold as seen unless you've been misled iirc.

 

[weegeoff]

Buy yourself a torque wrench for the rocker cover it is to easy to snap the studs. I did and had to do it all over again first having to remove the broken studs. Nightmare.

 

[weegeoff]

iiiii