OIL LEAK! PLZ HELP! - BMW Forum

M5power · 02-02-2004, 09:53 PM

well, i started to notice an oil leak, dripping down onto the ground one morning.
i was told it was my valve cover gasket, so i replaced that. and now the oil leak is back for more. i went to a bmw shop and they said that it could be the head gasket because that looked like where it was coming from and also because when u replace the valve cover gasket the pressure moves to the weaker one. would this be the case? the weirdest part is the oil leak will go away for a while, then whenever i fill up my gas tank it'll start spewing out! it freaks the crap out of me. i know its oil and not gas, but anyone have a theory to this? please reply, thanks!

1985 BMW 528E

njtech · 02-03-2004, 08:28 PM

did you change the 4 rubber rocker shaft plugs along with the v/c gasket? they are a common oil leak on these cars. as far as the full gas tank, it doesn't make sense. are you sure it's not fuel? I have changed many fuel lines that leak from being dry and brittle with age. HTH

M5power · 02-03-2004, 09:34 PM

it has to be oil..dark and all, i can see all the muk around the head gasket. so the rubber shockerS? what exactally are these? sorry im just learning about bmw's, thanks alot!

njtech · 02-04-2004, 07:34 PM

when you remove the v/c gasket, on both ends of the head there are 2 half moon cutouts that have rubber plugs in them. people sometimes don't change them and when they leak it looks as if the head is leaking. in your case it may very well be the head. I'm just saying check these first, it could save you alot of money.

dubumb · 02-05-2004, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by njtech@Feb 4 2004, 09:14 PM
when you remove the v/c gasket, on both ends of the head there are 2 half moon cutouts that have rubber plugs in them. people sometimes don't change them and when they leak it looks as if the head is leaking. in your case it may very well be the head. I'm just saying check these first, it could save you alot of money.

Would a novice be able to do this himself?

dubumb · 02-05-2004, 12:14 AM

Forgot to mention, i also have an oil leak on my e34 (92).... Do the e34s also have these rubber shaft plugs?

M5power · 02-05-2004, 06:12 AM

alrite, i'll check that on friday, thanks for the help

njtech · 02-05-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dubumb@Feb 5 2004, 01:54 AM
Forgot to mention, i also have an oil leak on my e34 (92).... Do the e34s also have these rubber shaft plugs?

To answer both questions......yes this a very easy job all you do is remove the v/c & gasket the shaft plugs are on the ends, you remove them by just prying them up. Question 2... if the engine has a single overhead cam it has the plugs, double overhead cam has the plugs built into the gasket. HTH

dubumb · 02-05-2004, 10:38 PM

If it were the rubber shaft plugs, would the oil be leaking down the driver's side of the engine?

njtech · 02-06-2004, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dubumb@Feb 6 2004, 12:18 AM
If it were the rubber shaft plugs, would the oil be leaking down the driver's side of the engine?

chances are no, since the engine is tilted towards the pass side.

dubumb · 02-06-2004, 08:09 PM

Any idea what would leak down the driver's side? head gasket maybe?

njtech · 02-06-2004, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dubumb@Feb 6 2004, 09:49 PM
Any idea what would leak down the driver's side? head gasket maybe?

ok let me ask you a few basic questions, is the engine a dohc? where do you see the oil? are you sure it's motor oil?

dubumb · 02-07-2004, 09:52 AM

what is dohc? I see the oil dripping down the driver's side of the oil pan when the car is running. positive it is oil.

I just put it in the shop today do see if they can diagnose it

njtech · 02-07-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dubumb@Feb 7 2004, 11:32 AM
what is dohc? I see the oil dripping down the driver's side of the oil pan when the car is running. positive it is oil.

I just put it in the shop today do see if they can diagnose it

it sounds like an oil pan gasket.

dubumb · 02-07-2004, 12:00 PM

I just got it home from the shop. He sed i need a new oil pan gasket and oil sensor. He said he will charge $250 for the whole thing. Does this sound right? He said he needs to lift the engine or something to take it the oil pan off...

So i cannot do this by myself?