Oil leak?
- Thread starter clang0203
- Start date
Yes you have a leak, its the cam cover gasket, it's gone hard and not sealing anymore, a common problem with age. As it gets worse the oil will drop on to the exhaust and burn giving off oil smoke in the engine bay. You need to obtain a full cam cover gasket set that contains the main cover gasket, the centre plug well gaskets and a set of the rubber sealing washers that sit under the cover retaining bolts. It is essential all of these are replaced as they all go hard and will not compress enough to achieve a good seal. Also us gasket sealant around the half moon shapes at the front and rear of the cover where the gasket changes direction to ensure an oiltight seal. I use Blue Hylomar sealant at these locations and between the Vanos at the front edge.
Also worth noting is that when you have oil leaks you will also have air leaks which in turn can affect the vaccum system and upset the fuel trims and running of the car, viewing fuel trims in live data is a sure way of diagnosing unwanted air leaks. A smoke test is also a good method of finding leaks you can't find visually or didn't know you had.
Might be an idea to include your car model and your location in your user details so they appear on the left of your posts, it assists when trying to answer questions if we know what car/engine and your location so anyone near may offer you assistance if needed.
Also worth noting is that when you have oil leaks you will also have air leaks which in turn can affect the vaccum system and upset the fuel trims and running of the car, viewing fuel trims in live data is a sure way of diagnosing unwanted air leaks. A smoke test is also a good method of finding leaks you can't find visually or didn't know you had.
Might be an idea to include your car model and your location in your user details so they appear on the left of your posts, it assists when trying to answer questions if we know what car/engine and your location so anyone near may offer you assistance if needed.
Edit Profile and add in your location, it will appear in the left hand side of your posts.
Edit a new Signature, type in model, year and engine size and that will appear at the end of your posts.
Just had a look at the oem parts site for 2005 2.0l here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BZ12-EUR-06-2005-E85-BMW-Z4_20i&diagId=11_3179
Yours has no sealing washers under the cover retaining bolts so you won't need those replacing just the outer and inner gaskets.
To be sure I got the right car best you go to the home page of the oem site and enter last 7 letters and digits of your Vin number to find exact match for parts fitted to your car. Look under trhe Engine section for the cam cover diagram and parts list.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
Edit a new Signature, type in model, year and engine size and that will appear at the end of your posts.
Just had a look at the oem parts site for 2005 2.0l here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BZ12-EUR-06-2005-E85-BMW-Z4_20i&diagId=11_3179
Yours has no sealing washers under the cover retaining bolts so you won't need those replacing just the outer and inner gaskets.
To be sure I got the right car best you go to the home page of the oem site and enter last 7 letters and digits of your Vin number to find exact match for parts fitted to your car. Look under trhe Engine section for the cam cover diagram and parts list.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
Be aware that the online arm of Europarts trade as CarParts4less, they are web only based and are consistantly cheaper than EuroParts
Plugs they offer are here https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/spark-plugs I would choose Bosch brand.
Filters here https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/oil-filter I wouild choose the Mann brand.
If you order always remember to add in their current discount code that appears on their home page to get that discount as well as the cheaper parts price, delivery is usually preety good.
As to oil that depends on the mileage your car has doine under 100,000 5W30 Synthetic over 100,000 go for 5w40 Synthetic, brand of your choice and budget. https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/engine-oil I would go for Triple QX Synthetic 5W40, good price.
PS add the year of your car to your signature details.
Plugs they offer are here https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/spark-plugs I would choose Bosch brand.
Filters here https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/oil-filter I wouild choose the Mann brand.
If you order always remember to add in their current discount code that appears on their home page to get that discount as well as the cheaper parts price, delivery is usually preety good.
As to oil that depends on the mileage your car has doine under 100,000 5W30 Synthetic over 100,000 go for 5w40 Synthetic, brand of your choice and budget. https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/engine-oil I would go for Triple QX Synthetic 5W40, good price.
PS add the year of your car to your signature details.
Thanks, good tip on the website I never knew that. Car has only done 60000 miles only done 3000 a year. With the one previous owner in 16 years she had it. Unfortunately lack of use has caused things to harden and wear she had it serviced but only by local garages. A good overhaul needed.