Small oil weep

[gnl]

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.

 

[tintoverano]

I just saw the same on mine

the cylinder head cover gasket leaks https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=LM31-EUR-10-2009-E89-BMW-Z4_23i&diagId=11_3737

this is for my engine https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/...1-engine/11-12-cylinder-head-with-lid/GVJnZWG

lots of DIY videos

 

[flybobbie]

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]

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.
8)

 

[gnl]

Thanks guys. As I thought. I’ll not be doing anything hasty yet! Thanks

 

[enzed4]

Thanks guys. As I thought. I’ll not be doing anything hasty yet! Thanks

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 :thumbsdown:
Oops sorry, just re-read your post - 3.0i is N52 not N54, I don't think it's a problem on these engines?

 

[lucasxdiniz]

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.

 

[tintoverano]

Oops sorry, just re-read your post - 3.0i is N52 not N54, I don't think it's a problem on these engines?

N52s (are) are prone to valve cover and valvetronic motor gasket leaks

 

[Smartbear]

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

 

[tintoverano]

and need to be replaced, right?

 

[Smartbear]

and need to be replaced, right?

Single use, i replaced with new when changing the water pump
Rob

 

[tintoverano]

and need to be replaced, right?

Single use, i replaced with new when changing the water pump
Rob

thanks

oddly, the videos on youtube don't mention this

 

[mcbutler]

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.

 

[gnl]

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

 

[Smartbear]

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.

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.
The engine makes the same power in sport as it does in normal mode
Rob

 

[tintoverano]

Yes reading comments I suspect it could be the vanos pump gasket.

I got oil along the cover

 

[mcbutler]

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.

That’s the valvetronic motor, when sport mHey Robode 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.
The engine makes the same power in sport as it does in normal mode

Hey Rob,

Watch this from around 3:30, valve lift certainly does change, significantly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRhDKE8vKU
The entire video is interesting/

 

[Smartbear]

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.

That’s the valvetronic motor, when sport mHey Robode 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.
The engine makes the same power in sport as it does in normal mode

Hey Rob,

Watch this from around 3:30, valve lift certainly does change, significantly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRhDKE8vKU
The entire video is interesting/

Bit of cross wires here I think Mark, the valvetronic does alter valve lift depending on how much throttle is applied, but doesn’t behave any differently when sport mode is on.
Rob

 

[tintoverano]

hi,

after removing the cover, the cause seems to be the valvetronic motor gasket

what I find strange (but I don't have a lot of experience) is, that around the second coil there's plenty of oil - inside none of the coil's had any

engine runs flawlessly, no codes etc.

is it the valvetronic actuator gasket?

thanks

 

[tintoverano]

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.

yeah righ, nothing wrong with the rocket cover gasket