Am I Leaking Oil From the Head Gasket?

[ClayW]

I seem to be leaking oil from somewhere near the front passenger side of the head on the M20 in my 91 325i. Is it possible that I'm leaking from the head gasket? Or is there a more likely leak point that I'm missing?

[jlevie]

The cam seal is a possibility for oil in that area.

[SeatTime]

Not sure where the oil feed is, but there is a high pressure oil feed through the head gasket. It could leak.

[Ginsterman98]

M20's are known to get external head gaskets leaks. They also like to leak back by cyl 6. Could be the cause.

[K1CKBAC]

It's possible. But can also be from cam seal area as mentioned above. I got the same problem but will look at the cam seal area first.

[Ginsterman98]

OP, just pull the cap, rotor and the dust cover and look into the timing belt area for evidence of oil.

[dougie30]

Wipe it down with a rag, drive around for a while and see if it is still clean around the gasket or not

[uuc328]

+1 head gasket
mine leaks in the same spot. cam area was dry at my last timing belt change.

[ClayW]

Wipe it down with a rag, drive around for a while and see if it is still clean around the gasket or not

After further investigation, it seems to be coming from the cam seal.

Out of curiosity, if it is the head gasket also, this means that I need to replace the head gasket along with new head bolts, correct? Am I missing anything?

[JCarp90]

Check the rocker shaft plugs. I had oil in the same spot after a full rebuild and it was just those damn things.

[ClayW]

Check the rocker shaft plugs. I had oil in the same spot after a full rebuild and it was just those damn things.

Good idea. I wasn't aware of what they were or their location. I will check them ASAP.

Thanks for the tip!

[SpecM]

and if it is, get the rocker plugs at the BMW dealer. they are only like $0.50 more each and other brands seem to leak more (for me)

[603Racing]

If it is the headgasket, it will generally leak at that spot in the front, opposite corner rear, or exhaust side between cylinders 3 and 4 like my mine.

Sounds like you found your leak, but if you end up doing a head gasket, yes you want to replace the bolts. Along with a dozen other things... timing belt, water pump, valve cover gasket, all the head/intake/exhaust seals, and so on.

[ClayW]

If it is the headgasket, it will generally leak at that spot in the front, opposite corner rear, or exhaust side between cylinders 3 and 4 like my mine.

Sounds like you found your leak, but if you end up doing a head gasket, yes you want to replace the bolts. Along with a dozen other things... timing belt, water pump, valve cover gasket, all the head/intake/exhaust seals, and so on.

Yeah, If it turns out to be the head gasket, I'll be doing a faster-than-I-had-hoped gasket refresh on my new spare M20 and I'll just swap the whole shebangabang.