Oil Leak Question - Oil Pan Area

[rhynolite]

Hey all,

Recent new E30 owner here. Saw I had a pretty steady oil leak and tracked it down to what I think is the oil level sender, but it appears that I may be missing a stud or something? Oil is flowing from what looks like a threaded hole.

From the top of the driver's side looking down at the top of the oil pan:



Underneath:



And the hole, after wiping off the oil:



Five minutes after wiping the oil - it's back:



Is there something that's supposed to be in that 3rd hole? Or is it maybe an oil overflow vein...?

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

[Earendil]

If the hole were that big all the way through, you'd be shooting oil not leaking it.

Also, I don't know wtf is wrong there. I want to appear to be helpful, while also subbing the thread so that I find out the answer to your mystery :)
If no one has an answer for you by tomorrow, and I get home before dark, I'll take a look at my car and see what's there.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...77&hg=11&fg=10 Yeah it looks as you may be missing a stud on the oil sensor it's part 8 in th diagram and there should be three of them

[Earendil]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...77&hg=11&fg=10 Yeah it looks as you may be missing a stud on the oil sensor it's part 8 in th diagram and there should be three of them

I don't think his hole is in the right place. If I'm seeing his picture correctly, his hole isn't in the OEM picture at all. Maybe a PO tried to add an aftermarket sensor, decided against it, and plugged the hole with something that is slowly failing?

[e30trooper]

here you go bro. http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...FILTER_BMWM=ON

[e30trooper]

where abouts in socal are you?

[e30leigh]

regardless of what was ment to be there. i dont think that hole should be right through into the sump. my guess would be someone has at some point fitted a bolt that was too long and punctured it, or cracked it. i would suggest cleaning, refitting a clean bolt with loctite flange seal or thread seal on it. and a flat alloy washer under the head of the bolt of the correct size. that should seal it.

even if the sensor is aftermarket and you replace it and fit the oem sensor and bolt/ stud, and dont do anything else. oil will still make it past the threads.

hope that helps.

leigh

[rhynolite]

where abouts in socal are you?

San Diego, so not too too far from ya :)

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm gonna run by the local hardware store and see if they have something that fits. For now I stuck a bolt in there that kinda fit to at least slow the flow down. If I can't find anything, I'll break down and order OEM.

[UserError]

Get a standard thread 6mm bolt, 5 quarts of oil, an oil filter, and some RTV to seal it. Let the oil out, put some RTV on the threads and a bit at the top, and put the bolt into the oil pan. Wouldn't hurt to clean out the hole with some brake cleaner while you're at it. BTW, that oil is uber dirty, definitely suggest you change it.

[rhynolite]

Get a standard thread 6mm bolt, 5 quarts of oil, an oil filter, and some RTV to seal it. Let the oil out, put some RTV on the threads and a bit at the top, and put the bolt into the oil pan. Wouldn't hurt to clean out the hole with some brake cleaner while you're at it. BTW, that oil is uber dirty, definitely suggest you change it.

I actually ended up getting an M8x1.25 that threaded in perfectly. Put two washers underneath (M8 was a little long, didn't have time to cut it) and a little Permatex and so far, so good. No more leaking for now.

I have a full oil change kit waiting to go in. Figured I might give it another week as it didn't look super bad to me, but maybe I'll do it sooner than later.

[UserError]

If it works, it works. I only suggested the oil change and brake clean to make sure the threads and hole are clean. RTV (AKA Permatex) tends to bond better with a clean surface.