E34 Oil leak

[richardmlees]

I have one of the latter E34 518i (a UK model) with what I believe to be an M43 engine.

A slight leak has developed over the last few weeks which appears to be from where the timing case joins the engine block, and about where the upper and lower timing cases meet.

Has anyone replaced these seals and how easy is it to do? (I have a Haynes manual unfortunately, which does not make it obvious what is involved and despite supposedly covering all E34s, only relates to M20 and M40 engines when discussing timing chains rather than belts)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[shogun]

I assume the 518i was never sold in the U.S., so not many people here will know details.

Maybe you find here something?

bmwboeken

if you find a Bentley repair manual for the E36, that should probably cover this engine, M43
BMW M43 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

also check here
that covers the M43 engine of the 518i
and even has detailed instructions with drawings/pictures
BMW TIS Online • 5' E34 • 518i (M43) Saloon

[richardmlees]

Thanks for that Shogun The TIS Online link looks like it will do the job for me. Snag is it requires a couple of 'special tools' which, knowing my luck, will cost as much as paying someone to do the job, but hey ho

And I'm not certain, but don't think the 518i was ever sold in the states. I reckon the 1.8 engine is a bit on the small side for the US market

[ahlem]

If this is anything like the M42, there is a leak that occurs at the gasket behind the oil filter housing that looks like it's coming from other places.
I'm spending a lot of time with oil leaks these days. 1.8 liters in an e34 doesn't sound too good. Don't try passing any Volvo 240's

[richardmlees]

@ahlem,

Cheers for that/ I'll have a look again just in case before I look to change the timing chain cover seals.

1.8 in E34 actually doesn't do too bad, at least in the UK. In local rush hour you're lucky if you get to 10mph anyway, and a long drive over here might be all of 100 miles Besides, unleaded petrol over here (i've just done some conversions at current rates) is over $12 per US gallon!! Economy rules

[whiskychaser]

Not sure what special tools are listed but the crank bolt is usually silly tight:-( A pic is always handy:
Timing case BMW 5' E34, 518i (M43)
Price of petrol is ridiculous. I think we will be watching re-runs of Beverly Hillbillies soon so we can get tips on making stills