Oil leak. Possible causes?

[BRGcoopahS]

So my car has been leaking oil. I put the car on ramps and inspected it. I really have no idea where its coming from so I snapped some pics. A friend said its not coming from the bottom.

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/2E48AE49-8B3C-4512-BED7-C847E9B56F92-2384-0000024404FE1F16_zps2d3682c6.jpg

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/C79FE3D2-0BB1-46A9-912A-04B949BFA436-2384-000002440DB2F62D_zps02448ccb.jpg

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/175D1642-3B27-43BE-8A0A-72CE978A5214-2384-00000244146DBD44_zps3a5ddd3e.jpg

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/75A790BC-769A-494B-93F6-11BE2A6B6701-2384-0000024418CD3114_zpsf446a98a.jpg

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/31217EC6-E9B0-495D-899D-EFFCC60BC74F-2384-000002441DB1B5A2_zpscfb21b9c.jpg

http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/9DE1FBA2-6C56-4903-9EB1-C0DFA01BF574-2384-0000024427C5CB91_zpsbeda5f73.jpg

[Oli77]

Oil filter housing gasket? or oil filter itself? Can you feel oil under the oil filter?

Do you see oil along the side of the engine near the waffled area (between CCV and the alternator)? Remove your air box and inspect here:

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac208/othibau/DSC07252.jpg

[Hermes]

oil filter housing gasket

[BRGcoopahS]

I didnt check that... of course. What makes you so sure?

[alexandre]

+1 for OFHG. An advanced leak can definitely send oil everywhere on the bottom of the engine. Best way to know would be to degrease the engine and check it again in a few days.

[Pip]

The waffle area in the last picture makes him so sure. That's a common area for oil when the ofhg is leaking.

[Hermes]

I didnt check that... of course. What makes you so sure?

the fact that it's perfectly clean above the housing and all the oil stains are directly below it's position in the engine bay

above:
http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/31217EC6-E9B0-495D-899D-EFFCC60BC74F-2384-000002441DB1B5A2_zpscfb21b9c.jpg

below:
http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/2E48AE49-8B3C-4512-BED7-C847E9B56F92-2384-0000024404FE1F16_zps2d3682c6.jpg


edit:
this is the power steering pump, you can see the liquid oil about to drip which leads me to believe the leak is from above that position
http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh369/Pearldrum10/175D1642-3B27-43BE-8A0A-72CE978A5214-2384-00000244146DBD44_zps3a5ddd3e.jpg

[Dave_B]

+1 for OFHG, it's on my short list to do.

Also, while your there go ahead and do the Serp belt. I can see it cracking in one of your pics.

[SoarinZHP]

:duckingAnd while you've got it that far apart, do the CCV...

[echo46]

Either OFHG or power steering pump/reservoir. Does the steering make any whining noises when turning?

[BRGcoopahS]

Steering doesn't make any noises. How difficult is it to replace belts? I'm new to working on cars but I am going to do it myself.

[danewilson77]

Belt are simple.

#16

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1830-BMW-E46-ZHP-DIY-and-Preventative-maintenance

[Dave_B]

Just did my belt. Worst part was knowing the routing. I'm sure DW could whip you up the diagram lickity split though.

[danewilson77]

It's in this link I believe.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?588-E46-BMW-330-ZHP-Engine-parts-and-pictures

[Hermes]

make sure you have torx bits so you can move the tensioners

[Dave_B]

Good point. T50 IIRC

If you have a Sears near by and don't have Torx already, I was able to pickup a set for $10 of Craftsmen for 7 or 8 bits. Individually they are just over $5.

[BRGcoopahS]

I have a torx set, just gotta find it.

Thanks dane. Im always amazed by all of the help and info I find here.

[echo46]

Also check for wear on the pulleys and tensioners. Spin them and listen to make sure they don't sound like old roller skates.

[Dave1027]

I have no oil leaks (knock on wood) but should the oil filter housing be re-torqued as a preventative measure?

[Hermes]

no, just change the gasket. they always go bad

[Dave1027]

The torque spec on the housing bolts is only 16 lbs-ft. I could see a scenario where the housing vibrates loose since it is attached directly to the side of the engine.

[RedTRex]

Yep... and are only about $7. I have seen VANOS hose leaks as well at the crimps but that is rare compared to the OFHG.


no, just change the gasket. they always go bad

[BRGcoopahS]

I just checked the car out again. I know this is sad but before I first checked it, I had no idea the oil filter cap was above the engine under the hood. I checked that out and saw oil residue under the cap. So I took out the air box and inspected further. Alot of oil on the oil filter housing, and I was able to see a "drip line" going down from the filter cap towards the housing area.

Im hoping its just that the oil change shop put the gasket on wrong.... :foottap

I still do need that belt though. So Ill order that.