Engine oil leak - BMW Forum

kippy · 04-22-2009, 03:58 PM

I have a slight oil leak it seems ahead of the trans mission but at the rear end of engine. Could this be an over flow as I changed the oil but may have put too much in? I dont think so though as I filled it to the mark on the stick. Is there anyone out there who may have had experience of the same so I can extrapolate the various scenarios. The low oil indicator has not come on. Occassionally I can smell oil burning when at the lights for example.There is a slight oil bead around top of engine around gasket head and plugs area.Where could this leak possibly come from?

witeshark · 04-22-2009, 04:01 PM

I think it's a leak; overfill would just burn off (though that's something to avoid!).

marti5 · 04-23-2009, 06:08 AM

Rocker cover gasket or you have a leak from the PCV valve, but from what you have said I would be going for rocker cover gasket.

Ps. Its helpful to say what model and year you have a problem with ??

kippy · 04-23-2009, 05:33 PM

E34 1995 525i cheers

oltimer · 08-24-2009, 11:24 PM

hi Kippy, I have a similar problem with an oil drip from what appears to be the seal between engine and gearbox. What was the solution to your leak?

Also does anyone have a gut feel for when the auto gearbox should be overhauled? Mine has done 225,000km and is a 95 E34 525i. Besides the oil drip all is running smooth

darkhorse737 · 08-24-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kippy

I have a slight oil leak it seems ahead of the trans mission but at the rear end of engine. Could this be an over flow as I changed the oil but may have put too much in? I dont think so though as I filled it to the mark on the stick. Is there anyone out there who may have had experience of the same so I can extrapolate the various scenarios. The low oil indicator has not come on. Occassionally I can smell oil burning when at the lights for example.There is a slight oil bead around top of engine around gasket head and plugs area.Where could this leak possibly come from?

burning oil: all you need to do is inspect your exhaust system. notice where it is stained black and somewhere above that stain is your leak.

whether the leak is exactly there or whether the oil is "drooling" from somewhere else, you need to do your due diligence and trace it

good way is to degrease your engine so that leaks at the source can show.

darkhorse737 · 08-25-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oltimer

hi Kippy, I have a similar problem with an oil drip from what appears to be the seal between engine and gearbox. What was the solution to your leak?

Also does anyone have a gut feel for when the auto gearbox should be overhauled? Mine has done 225,000km and is a 95 E34 525i. Besides the oil drip all is running smooth

there will be two type of leaks in the area between gearbox and tranny.
1) black oil leak - means that the leak is an engine leak likely from a worn rear main bearing seal
2)red oil leak - (maybe dark red to dark brown) means that your leak is either the torque converter seal or the tranny pump seal.

How long a tranny lasts really depends on maintenance, and how hard the car has been driven. Quite frankly, tranny's are the most neglected part of maintenance. like... when was tranny oil and filter changed? most people aren't even aware it needs some TLC too

*signs of a tranny going out? when oil level is full... slippage and hard shifts*

kippy · 08-26-2009, 03:49 PM

Gidday thanks for your reply. I dont seem to be leaking anymore that I have noticed (no stains on the ground...puzzling). The oil was black so you're right engine oil it was. As for the gearbox...Mine has done 185,000km and no problems but yes you're right about that too.... to get that seviced for sure cheers.