Where’s the leak?
- Thread starter NiallR
- Start date
grannyknot
Member
It looks like the oil leak is coming from the oil filler cap, that might even be the sealing O ring sticking out from under the cap in your photo, just order a new one and wipe the area down with paper towel. To get rid of the water leave the cover off and take your car for a drive, the heat from the engine will evaporate the water.
Thanks! Very helpful. I’ve dried it all down and done my best to clean it up with a rag and paper towels.
I guess this confirms that it’s not the oil filler cap as that’s all nice and dry/clean from any oil. Looks like a really weird place to be leaking from though if the “fresh” oil leak areas pictured below are correct?
I guess this confirms that it’s not the oil filler cap as that’s all nice and dry/clean from any oil. Looks like a really weird place to be leaking from though if the “fresh” oil leak areas pictured below are correct?
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grannyknot
Member
Have you pulled the ignition coil and sparkplug on the #1 cylinder? I would start with that but you will probably have to pull the valve cover and replace the gaskets.
It's just your valve cover gasket. It's leaking quite badly by the looks of things. Also the inner gasket that surrounds the plugs will be knackered but it all comes in the kit anyway.
Call your BMW dealer and get one ordered. Also don't forget to order the screws as well as they will be alloy so can't be used again.
It's not a hard job to do yourself as long as you take your time .
Call your BMW dealer and get one ordered. Also don't forget to order the screws as well as they will be alloy so can't be used again.
It's not a hard job to do yourself as long as you take your time .
Classic cam cover gasket leak and duff oil filler cap gasket failing to seal and needs replacing with the cam cover gasket.
You don't say what model you have so go on the real oem parts site and put your last 7 letters and digits of your Vin number in to fetch back all the parts applicable to your car. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
If the cover screws are alloy then they will be one use only so you will need a set to replace them when the cam cover gasket is changed.
Also if yours has round rubber seals under the cover bolts then these should be replaced as well, they go hard and dont compress to attain the correct seal when torqued up. Certainly the case on the 2.5 E85 like mine.
Before you strip it down there will be no harm in using some degreaser on the engine and rinsing it off with water, will make doing the job a lot cleaner. If your going to use a pressure washer or hose I would wrap the alternator with some plastic bags to protect that from the water, the rest should survive a drenching aqfter you give time for it to dry off.
You don't say what model you have so go on the real oem parts site and put your last 7 letters and digits of your Vin number in to fetch back all the parts applicable to your car. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
If the cover screws are alloy then they will be one use only so you will need a set to replace them when the cam cover gasket is changed.
Also if yours has round rubber seals under the cover bolts then these should be replaced as well, they go hard and dont compress to attain the correct seal when torqued up. Certainly the case on the 2.5 E85 like mine.
Before you strip it down there will be no harm in using some degreaser on the engine and rinsing it off with water, will make doing the job a lot cleaner. If your going to use a pressure washer or hose I would wrap the alternator with some plastic bags to protect that from the water, the rest should survive a drenching aqfter you give time for it to dry off.
