Major Oil leak in my 325i - BMW Forum

rob714 · 04-02-2009, 04:32 PM

So, I have an '89 BMW 325i and I am having a major oil leak on the passenger side. At first it appeared to be the oil filter so I changed that, didn't fix it. Then I pulled the oil pan and scraped away the old gasket and put on a brand new gasket, still didn't fix it. So now I am stumped. It smokes heavily and seeps into the cabin so I can't drive it. Does anyone know if maybe the thing that the oil filter is connected to leaks or something? I know its not the valve cover because there is no oil build up there. Thank you for your help in advance.

saltshaker185 · 04-02-2009, 04:52 PM

clean it off and then see where the oil is leaking out of... keep in mind if its smoking it probably is dripping on the exhaust pipe and oil doesnt dip upward...

rob714 · 04-02-2009, 05:18 PM

Thanks, I will have to run it through a wash to find out. Do people have this problem often with their BMWs? I don't want to spend a lot of money on things that are okay. I have the crummy luck of spending huge amounts of cash on things that aren't even broke!

saltshaker185 · 04-02-2009, 05:21 PM

umm im almost positive its only a gasket somewhere... which is not an expensive part if you're willing to do the work yourself...

rob714 · 04-02-2009, 05:31 PM

Cool man, I am gonna dig into in now. I don't mind doing the work as long as I don't end up pulling the whole damn motor. I had me a time changing that oil pan gasket because of the suspension crossed so closely. So hopefully it won't be too hard!

rob714 · 04-02-2009, 06:07 PM

So it appears to be leaking from the front of the motor. Is it possible its just the gasket for the timing chain or with it being a major leak could it be the front bearing?

saltshaker185 · 04-02-2009, 06:08 PM

take a pic, anything with a gasket can leak... if you want to be sure that you dont replace something its not post up a pic and we can help...

rob714 · 04-02-2009, 06:40 PM

Okay, will do. Thanks!

silversled · 04-02-2009, 07:37 PM

wait a minute...you didn't actually say how much oil you are leaking, are you talking a quart a day here?

witeshark · 04-02-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob714

So it appears to be leaking from the front of the motor. Is it possible its just the gasket for the timing chain or with it being a major leak could it be the front bearing?

Keep in mind, the 2.5 M20 has a timing belt.

Joe318 · 04-09-2009, 01:10 AM

had the same prob with my old 325 it was leaking from the head gasket and getting all over the heat shield that sticks out on the side of the motor

romeomike · 04-16-2009, 11:45 PM

11-42-9-059-338, Seal Kit for Oil Filter Housing, pelicanparts.com for $12.75. I have the passenger side leak in the vicinity of the oil filter housing that tends to puddle if the car sits idling, but nothing nastier than that.

rob714 · 04-17-2009, 11:14 PM

Its leakin about 2 quarts a day. Pretty massive so I am not drivin it right now til I fix it. I have been swamped at work so I havent had a chance to get in there yet. Whats this Seal Kit for Oil Filter Housing that you are talkin about?

witeshark · 04-17-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob714

Its leakin about 2 quarts a day. Pretty massive so I am not drivin it right now til I fix it. I have been swamped at work so I havent had a chance to get in there yet. Whats this Seal Kit for Oil Filter Housing that you are talkin about?

Whatever it is, I doubt it can fix your leak. That one needs real service.

romeomike · 04-18-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob714

Its leakin about 2 quarts a day. Pretty massive so I am not drivin it right now til I fix it. I have been swamped at work so I havent had a chance to get in there yet. Whats this Seal Kit for Oil Filter Housing that you are talkin about?

Here's a good write-up:

BMW E30 Oil Control Valve Gasket Leak - M20/B25 Engine

+1 on what witeshark said.