Help identify this oil leak!!

[3sge]

I'm about to buy an E30 and the car drive really nice and doesn't overheat or anything like that but there is one thing that bothers me. There is a oil leak (shown in the pic where the red arrow is pointing under the heatshield which I believe is the water pump area)





The oil leak doesn't seem too bad but I noticed that my other previous E30s had the same leak at the same location. I was wondering what kind of problem this is and how expensive it would be to fix this issue? Thank you

[series88]

valve cover gasket?

[Sirotto]

Valve cover gasket and or the cam seal. Either way they are easy fixes because your doing a timing belt anyways.

[ak-]

You're okay man.
Valve cover gasket is an 8 bolt ten minute job a child can do and the cam seal is part of the timing belt job you're going to have to do as preventative maintenance when you purchase the car.

[3sge]

okay sounds good thanks guys

[brahbarian]

agreed on the valve cover/cam seal.
quick question. on your coolant reservoir that small hose pointing toward you at the top...where does it go?
i saw mine just hanging there and cant figure out where it goes?

[ak-]

agreed on the valve cover/cam seal.
quick question. on your coolant reservoir that small hose pointing toward you at the top...where does it go?
i saw mine just hanging there and cant figure out where it goes?

It goes down to the pavement through a random hole in your chassis

[E30_fiend]

Another thing to it could be are your rocker shaft seals. I've actually found them to be the problem more oftern than the cam seal. They are $1 plugs and you'll need four of them. Replace them when you're doing the valve cover gasket. The old ones will literally be hard as a rock. The new ones should he soft and pliable. Remember when you do your timing belt, the cam seal is two separate seals. There is one metal/rubber seal that needs to be tapped into the cam guide plate as well as a larger o-ring style seal that wraps all the way around the cam guide plate.

Another thing to note for your timing belt is the oil pump gear. This looks to be an early model, so you will want to get an updated style gear when you change the belt. The old gears are prone to cracking and failing due to some design flaws. In 1988 it were updated to a solid style center so no more failing. If you search the threads, you'll find info on it.

Good luck with your purchase and the work.


Taylor


Also note, it appears you've got what are called "crash" mounts installed on your struts. They increase or decrease camber depending on how you install them. Just something to remember when you're getting an alignment and maybe the tech says your alignment is off.