89 535i oil leak

[RAZR]

I drive a 535i, 89 model with 140000 miles and for about two months I've been noticing an oil leak on the engine block. It's on the driver's side, below the intake and seems like coming from under the starter, I can not really locate the source, the view is blocked by the intake. Has anyone noticed something similar?
I ran this by a specilized BMW repair show and one of the possibilities was a blown headgasket leaking oil to the exterior? Has anyone experineced that?

Thanks

[1995 525i]

I drive a 535i, 89 model with 140000 miles and for about two months I've been noticing an oil leak on the engine block. It's on the driver's side, below the intake and seems like coming from under the starter, I can not really locate the source, the view is blocked by the intake. Has anyone noticed something similar?
I ran this by a specilized BMW repair show and one of the possibilities was a blown headgasket leaking oil to the exterior? Has anyone experineced that?

Thanks

Razr,
PM BillB as he is helping me with a coolant leak as well as a small oil leak (not major, couple of drops here and there). He has a good idea of where mine is coming from so he might be able to help you.

Good Luck.

Michael

[SRR2]

Using the term "driver's side" around here is pretty pointless. There are lots of regulars from Oz, the UK, and even Japan where the "driver's side" is sort of different from that in some other places.

You should fill out your profile with car and location details if you expect to get good help. Most regulars have long since gotten tired of asking the same make/model/location/etc. questions over and over again to people who can't be bothered to spend a minute on their profile.

The #1 common oil leak on the M30 motor is the upper bolt that holds the crankshaft timing sensor bracket. It's on the front lower right side of the engine and is difficult to get to. Instead of a blind hole in the block, they made a through hole to the crankcase. The bolt loosens and there's your leak.

[RAZR]

Using the term "driver's side" around here is pretty pointless. There are lots of regulars from Oz, the UK, and even Japan where the "driver's side" is sort of different from that in some other places.

You should fill out your profile with car and location details if you expect to get good help. Most regulars have long since gotten tired of asking the same make/model/location/etc. questions over and over again to people who can't be bothered to spend a minute on their profile.

The #1 common oil leak on the M30 motor is the upper bolt that holds the crankshaft timing sensor bracket. It's on the front lower right side of the engine and is difficult to get to. Instead of a blind hole in the block, they made a through hole to the crankcase. The bolt loosens and there's your leak.

Thank you very much!

[RAZR]

Using the term "driver's side" around here is pretty pointless. There are lots of regulars from Oz, the UK, and even Japan where the "driver's side" is sort of different from that in some other places.

You should fill out your profile with car and location details if you expect to get good help. Most regulars have long since gotten tired of asking the same make/model/location/etc. questions over and over again to people who can't be bothered to spend a minute on their profile.

The #1 common oil leak on the M30 motor is the upper bolt that holds the crankshaft timing sensor bracket. It's on the front lower right side of the engine and is difficult to get to. Instead of a blind hole in the block, they made a through hole to the crankcase. The bolt loosens and there's your leak.

By front side you mean towards the firewall and right side the one where the starter is mounted? Just want to make sure we're on the same page.
Thanks again!

[Bill R.]

thinking of. I gathered reading your post that it was a left hand drive car since you said the same side as the intake and starter and the starter and intake are on the same side regardless of lhd or rhd. But his point is good to provide info to people trying to help you. As was previously posted yours is on the drivers side near the firewall above the starter area. As was also posted before there aren't too many things in that area than can leak, The most common being the oil pressure sending unit at the back of the head on the drivers side US. Then there's a valve cover leak which is not very likely because it tends to leak on the exhaust side , then there's a head gasket, which could be, you'll have to raise it up and look under there better to see. That pretty much limits your choices..



By front side you mean towards the firewall and right side the one where the starter is mounted? Just want to make sure we're on the same page.
Thanks again!

[RAZR]

thinking of. I gathered reading your post that it was a left hand drive car since you said the same side as the intake and starter and the starter and intake are on the same side regardless of lhd or rhd. But his point is good to provide info to people trying to help you. As was previously posted yours is on the drivers side near the firewall above the starter area. As was also posted before there aren't too many things in that area than can leak, The most common being the oil pressure sending unit at the back of the head on the drivers side US. Then there's a valve cover leak which is not very likely because it tends to leak on the exhaust side , then there's a head gasket, which could be, you'll have to raise it up and look under there better to see. That pretty much limits your choices..

If it was the headgasket would the car run different?
Thanks

[Bill R.]

leaking and if its going internally to a combustion chamber or externally such as an oil galley leaking to the outside or if its crossing from a water passage to a oil galley or viceversa. It doesn't always show up in how the car performs. Thats why you really need to get the car raised up and use the mirrors lights etc to clean the block off and confirm exactly where its coming from... Its easy to jump to conclusions.



If it was the headgasket would the car run different?
Thanks

[RAZR]

leaking and if its going internally to a combustion chamber or externally such as an oil galley leaking to the outside or if its crossing from a water passage to a oil galley or viceversa. It doesn't always show up in how the car performs. Thats why you really need to get the car raised up and use the mirrors lights etc to clean the block off and confirm exactly where its coming from... Its easy to jump to conclusions.

if I'd take it to a shop?
If not what does it take to DIY?

Thanks

[Bill R.]

are better able to give you an idea on costs and what the typical shop might charge you.



if I'd take it to a shop?
If not what does it take to DIY?

Thanks

[gcraiga]

I have what I think is a similar leak in my 535i, except I've identified what I think may be the source. The leak also began about 2 months ago. The attached photos are of the supposed location. Any ideas on what is causing the leak?

The car doesn't overheat, but it is having some rough idle problems that I'm assuming are unrelated...

Thanks.

[RAZR]

are better able to give you an idea on costs and what the typical shop might charge you.

Thanks again

[RAZR]

I have what I think is a similar leak in my 535i, except I've identified what I think may be the source. The leak also began about 2 months ago. The attached photos are of the supposed location. Any ideas on what is causing the leak?

The car doesn't overheat, but it is having some rough idle problems that I'm assuming are unrelated...

Thanks.

It looks exactly the same. You said you havce iedentified the possible source?
What is it?

[gcraiga]

It looks exactly the same. You said you havce iedentified the possible source?
What is it?

Sorry -- By identify the source I simply meant that I say where it's leaking out of the engine... I thought the pictures might help someone else in the forum let us know what is causing it... Anyone have ideas?

Thanks

[RAZR]

Sorry -- By identify the source I simply meant that I say where it's leaking out of the engine... I thought the pictures might help someone else in the forum let us know what is causing it... Anyone have ideas?

Thanks


Have you been able to identify the source yet/ what's causing the leak?
I haven't had time to look any further.

Thanks,

[RAZR]

I have what I think is a similar leak in my 535i, except I've identified what I think may be the source. The leak also began about 2 months ago. The attached photos are of the supposed location. Any ideas on what is causing the leak?

The car doesn't overheat, but it is having some rough idle problems that I'm assuming are unrelated...

Thanks.

I haven't on my car. I just cleaned everything over this weekend but could find wher exactly is leaking from?
Just wonderinfg if you had more luck.

[Zeuk in Oz]

Listen to Bill R's advice (priceless) and get it diagnosed correctly first - even if it means paying a professional mechanic to diagnose it.
They can then also give you an estimate as to cost of repair, whatever it is.
If it turns out to be a headgasket, then this certainly is a DIY proposition but only with a Bentley, lots of (willing !) help from this forum and TIME !
My car was off the road for 3-4 weeks, but that was mostly due to the fact that I wouldn't do any work on it unless my sons were with me.
I found that with basic tools and a torque wrench and 32 mm and 22 mm spanners, the job was possible, but our inexperience led to a few mistakes and the need to do a few jobs twice.
My headgasket was on an M20 but I imagine that doing an M30 would be similar.
Probably the most important thing, IMHO, is to find a head shop that is prepared to listen to you and do what you want. My head had a crack in it that needed repairing and it also needed to have a little bit shaved off - they were excellent.
I also had them instal a new camshaft, rockers, valve guides and re-seat the valves - my engine had done 240,000 km (150,000 miles).
Cost was about half what I was quoted by my independent BMW specialist but that also included a new radiator and hoses that he had not quoted on.
The main benefit, as I see it, is that I, and my sons, now have a much better fundamental understanding of the engine and more confidence to tackle anything else that needs doing. Also we know that everything has been done properly, with a new timing belt and pulley etc.
Don't be afraid to have a go, I kept saying that if I got into trouble I could always roll the car onto my car trailer and take it to my mechanic to fix up my mistakes. In the end we didn't need to !
Take things slowly, label everything and take heaps of digital photos as you are taking things apart.
Good luck, whatever the problem turns out to be ! :)