Oil leak - what part is this and how do i fix it? (pic)

[McGyver]

NO!

-as a matter of fact-

FUCKING NO!

this is NOT a goddamn Chevy or Ford, this is a BMW, you do NOT fix leaks like that! No bullshit repairs!

that was worth a laugh...

well i am sort of new to german engineering, i was able to replace the water pump, heater core, and thermostat on my buick, but my BMW looks alot more complicated. before i bought it everyone told me to keep looking cuz i wouldnt be able to find parts. my car has the same leak and i wanted to know if 1) their is a good writeup with pictures and 2) when i pull it all apart could i just match parts at a chain like advance or napa, or do i have to drive an hour to a dealership to make sure i get the right stuff?

[romeomike]

This should serve the purpose

that was worth a laugh...

well i am sort of new to german engineering, i was able to replace the water pump, heater core, and thermostat on my buick, but my BMW looks alot more complicated. before i bought it everyone told me to keep looking cuz i wouldnt be able to find parts. my car has the same leak and i wanted to know if 1) their is a good writeup with pictures and 2) when i pull it all apart could i just match parts at a chain like advance or napa, or do i have to drive an hour to a dealership to make sure i get the right stuff?

Ordered my kit from pelicanparts.com -- four-inch C clamp will be just about right -- highly recommend you take the oil filter housing off the vehicle to do this fix (use a six point 17mm socket so you don't round off the hollow bolt).

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/oil-leak/index.html

[jmr302]

NO!

-as a matter of fact-

FUCKING NO!

this is NOT a goddamn Chevy or Ford, this is a BMW, you do NOT fix leaks like that! No bullshit repairs!

Using RTV sealant for a repair like this isn't stupid because it's a BMW; It's stupid because it probably won't work AND it will introduce bits of RTV into the oiling system.

[McGyver]

Ordered my kit from pelicanparts.com -- four-inch C clamp will be just about right -- highly recommend you take the oil filter housing off the vehicle to do this fix (use a six point 17mm socket so you don't round off the hollow bolt).

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/oil-leak/index.html

i called bavauto and it cost $27 for the parts and shiping. they also said that i should take the whole housing off, so i got the extra gaskets and seals for that too. and thanks for the link. im hoping it'll be easy if i just follow the instructions and try not to screw up.

[romeomike]

i called bavauto and it cost $27 for the parts and shiping. they also said that i should take the whole housing off, so i got the extra gaskets and seals for that too. and thanks for the link. im hoping it'll be easy if i just follow the instructions and try not to screw up.

I'd recommend using a floor jack and stands just to have the option of coming at it from underneath. The exhaust manifolds and AC compressor complicate removing the oil filter housing from the top. I used a large adjustable wrench to undo the oil cooler line nuts.

I used a six-inch clamp, but the larger flexible "foot" on the end of the threaded portion of the clamp made getting the snap ring back on much harder than it needed to be. Eek142 mentioned the slippery C-clamp, and I had to deal with that as well.

All said, I am quite satisfied with the results.

[McGyver]

I'd recommend using a floor jack and stands just to have the option of coming at it from underneath. The exhaust manifolds and AC compressor complicate removing the oil filter housing from the top. I used a large adjustable wrench to undo the oil cooler line nuts.

I used a six-inch clamp, but the larger flexible "foot" on the end of the threaded portion of the clamp made getting the snap ring back on much harder than it needed to be. Eek142 mentioned the slippery C-clamp, and I had to deal with that as well.

All said, I am quite satisfied with the results.

i also noticed some liquid stuff along the tranny and the oil pan. im hoping that its just degreaser and oil from the thermostat leak. but thanks for the advice and hopefully i'll be able to do the fix in the next few days!