Oil leak

[Rldee007]

Hi all,

As the subject states I have a oil leak witin the engine bay which appears from a visual inspection from above bias to the side of the CCV.

Looking at the history of the car the rocker gasket was replaced about a year ago as there are receipts. And within the service history someone documented the CVV was change but no receipt.

So could the leak be something else?

I think it might be CVV as when I remove the fuel cap when running there is a mild suck. I checked by holding a piece of paper over. Initially I thought there was a engine sound change when I put my hand over the open oil cap but after a few mins it stopped doing so.

Do you think it is worth changing the rocker cover gasket and CVV again anyway? I have never done it and I am pretty good practically but maybe slow lol. Working from home 100% so no rush to get it done and I have other cars.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Jfgoldfish]

The slight vacuum when the oil cap is removed is a good sign that the CCV is functioning correctly. I wouldn't jump into replacing it without diagnosing it's failiure; the parts are quite expensive.
I would be suspicious of the oil filter housing gasket. It can make a right good mess when it leaks!

 

[Haro]

Oil filter housing gasket will be leaking going by your description.

 

[Rldee007]

Thanks guys
Looked at the videos looks do able and the way the oil is gathering looks comparable.

I will do oil service at the same time.

How long do you think this will take?

 

[Jfgoldfish]

How long do you think this will take?

It's a very easy job. No special tools required. Can easily be done in a couple of hours but a leisurely 3 or 4 hours and 6 cups of tea is more realistic.

 

[Rldee007]

How long do you think this will take?

It's a very easy job. No special tools required. Can easily be done in a couple of hours but a leisurely 3 or 4 hours and 6 cups of tea is more realistic.

Thank you very much. I tell the Wife 5 hours then lol. I will crack on this weekend then. The only annoying thing is that I won't get the new oil filter until Monday so I'll have to wait to actually drive it.

 

[Firejim5]

Before you remove the oil filter housing, unscrew the oil filter plastic cap. No need to remove it completely, just enough to allow the oil to drain back in to the sump. It'll save you a lot of time having to clean up the oil that runs out, don't ask me how I know this!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

How long do you think this will take?

It's a very easy job. No special tools required. Can easily be done in a couple of hours but a leisurely 3 or 4 hours and 6 cups of tea is more realistic.

Thank you very much. I tell the Wife 5 hours then lol. I will crack on this weekend then. The only annoying thing is that I won't get the new oil filter until Monday so I'll have to wait to actually drive it.

You don't say which engine - it's straightforward but fiddly for the N52. I'd have to say that when I took the oil cooler off a 1/4" E10 and extension were vital to get the bolt in the manifold off.
https://www.bmwrepairguide.com/bmw-n52-oil-filter-housing-gasket-replacement/

You can also get MANN oil filters pretty cheap on Amazon, so if you have prime, next day. £6.23 currently for MANN-FILTER HU 816 X, get 2 and keep 1 in stock at home. Again that's for the N52.

 

[Rldee007]

It's a very easy job. No special tools required. Can easily be done in a couple of hours but a leisurely 3 or 4 hours and 6 cups of tea is more realistic.

Thank you very much. I tell the Wife 5 hours then lol. I will crack on this weekend then. The only annoying thing is that I won't get the new oil filter until Monday so I'll have to wait to actually drive it.

You don't say which engine - it's straightforward but fiddly for the N52. I'd have to say that when I took the oil cooler off a 1/4" E10 and extension were vital to get the bolt in the manifold off.
https://www.bmwrepairguide.com/bmw-n52-oil-filter-housing-gasket-replacement/

You can also get MANN oil filters pretty cheap on Amazon, so if you have prime, next day. £6.23 currently for MANN-FILTER HU 816 X, get 2 and keep 1 in stock at home. Again that's for the N52.

I have gone with the Bosch filter kit.

I have a 2004 3.0L M54

 

[davidmudley12]

The slight vacuum when the oil cap is removed is a good sign that the CCV is functioning correctly. I wouldn't jump into replacing it without diagnosing it's failiure; the parts are quite expensive.
I would be suspicious of the oil filter housing gasket. It can make a right good mess when it leaks!

I've just taken off my alternator (knackered), with it off I've noticed a good bit of oil all behind where it was (mostly old dry oil), it might be running down from the rocker cover gasket or the oil filter gasket based on what I can see. I'm guessing it makes sense to change the oil filter gasket while I have the alternator off (remembering to loosen the oil filter and let the oil drain out first! :-D ). I'm not sure if I'm just making work for myself as most of the oil I can see is old dry oil and it could just be spillage from someone removing the filter (I bought the car a few months ago with an oil change so unsure of when the gasket might have been replaced).


My other question relating to oil leaks is down at the bottom of the engine by the engine oil sump, there is also oil residue around there (may have come from further up the engine), the thing that is confusing me is that I can feel part of the oil sump gasket around the edge of the sump i.e. it is protruding about 2-3mm out of the engine / sump (enough to wiggle with your finger). Does this seem right?


The options I'm considering are:
1. Clean the engine bay up, leave the gaskets as they are and put the new alternator & belt in, watch it over time and see where any fresh oil leaks are coming from
2. Replace the oil filter gasket while I have the alternator off
3. Replace the oil filter & rocker cover gaskets
4. Replace oil filter, rocker cover & oil sump gaskets

I am not sure I want to sign up to the level of DIY needed for option 4 (the car isn't used other than for fun so I can live with it being out of action for a while but the replacement of the alternator job is spiralling.....).

What would you do? Thanks.