Help identify oil leaks? (pics inside)

[darkcolor.666]

hi all, i just recently picked up a e30, been fixing little things here and there, and i have noticed there is a leak in my driveway. i parked it in my garage to try identify where the leak is coming from.

see attached pics. anyone with experience can identify what is leaking? sorry i know they are not the best pics. its basically the RED BOX area that i see is leaking...









on a different note, how does my engine bay look? anything out of the ordinary?

thanks in advance!

[5Toes]

Looks like headgasket or valve cover gasket, I would just deal with it if it is the headgasket.

If its leaking BELOW exhaust manifold its headgasket, if it is above, then valve cover

Bay looks clean

[dnguyen1963]

Looks to me like the leaks are coming from your valve cover gasket then drip down to the area that you drew a rectangle. Your heat shield is completely soaked with oil.

[darkcolor.666]

Looks like headgasket or valve cover gasket, I would just deal with it if it is the headgasket.

If its leaking BELOW exhaust manifold its headgasket, if it is above, then valve cover

Bay looks clean

Thanks. Stupid question, how do I identify if my e30 using r12 or r134a ac? R134a is the modern setup right?

[ButtJuice]

Where are the other areas that leak beside the valve and head gaskets? I have a leak and it's annoying, I have to top off every other week. Castro's did my head/gasket so I hope it isn't that.

[Raxe]

The coolant drain plug for the block is in that area right under the exhaust manifold, worth checking that it's not leaking.

Where are the other areas that leak beside the valve and head gaskets? I have a leak and it's annoying, I have to top off every other week. Castro's did my head/gasket so I hope it isn't that.

Front/rear main seals, neither are easy to see and both can leak for a while before being detected. If you're topping it up every other week without seeing any signs of leakage I'd be suspicious about oil consumption...

[darkcolor.666]

The coolant drain plug for the block is in that area right under the exhaust manifold, worth checking that it's not leaking.

Yeah for sure it's not leaking coolant, it's leaking oil for sure. My cardboard has oil spots and trails

[ButtJuice]

The coolant drain plug for the block is in that area right under the exhaust manifold, worth checking that it's not leaking.



Front/rear main seals, neither are easy to see and both can leak for a while before being detected. If you're topping it up every other week without seeing any signs of leakage I'd be suspicious about oil consumption...

Oh, I see leakage on the pavement for sure.

Just out of curiosity, what causes an engine to burn oil?

[Raxe]

Oh, I see leakage on the pavement for sure.

Just out of curiosity, what causes an engine to burn oil?

Blow-by, worn rings and/or worn intake valve guide seals on higher mileage engines. Using too thin of an oil in an M20 won't help anything either, use 20W50 if you aren't already.

[Stanley Rockafella]

15w40 is good too

[ButtJuice]

Blow-by, worn rings and/or worn intake valve guide seals on higher mileage engines. Using too thin of an oil in an M20 won't help anything either, use 20W50 if you aren't already.

I've been using 10w40, I'll switch in the next oil change. My block has 250k miles on it under the 'refurbished' castro head, I suppose I should look into getting that rebuilt as well. I haven't had any other major problems besides the oil loss.

[darkcolor.666]

15w40 is good too

I used 10w40 this weekend. California weather.

[mcaden]

I would start simple and inexpensive by replacing your valve cover gasket and the 4 rubber blind/rocker plugs the frequently leak. The VCG should be about $15 and the blind plugs are like $1.50 each. Then spray down the entire area with a degreaser and look for leaks. Good luck.

[darkcolor.666]

I would start simple and inexpensive by replacing your valve cover gasket and the 4 rubber blind/rocker plugs the frequently leak. The VCG should be about $15 and the blind plugs are like $1.50 each. Then spray down the entire area with a degreaser and look for leaks. Good luck.

Where do I find this for $15?

After using degreaser do I need to wash it down with water? Can I do the same for underneath the car to do a simple cleanup?

[mcaden]

You can get a VCG (and the blind plugs) from your local BMW dealer or try an online place like Pelican Parts. It should take under an hour to replace.

See: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/cata..._pg1.htm#item0

As for degreasing:

(1) warm your engine a little
(2) spray lots of something like purple power or simple green all over the oily spots
(3) use a scrub brush as needed
(4) hose down (try avoid spraying electrical components or simply cover them with saran wrap)
(5) repeat as necessary until clean

EDIT: Rocker shaft plug part no: 11-33-1-264-519-M17 (you will need four of them)

see: http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...FILTER_TOOL=ON

Good luck.