After the mess under the intake

[LoneWolf]

I posted this on M42 club as well, I hope that isn't an issue, if it is I can have a mod remove it.

I am just hoping to get a speedy answer

Thanks



Well I went ahead and tidied up the mess under the intake.

I everything went smooth until my last bolt....

The last bolt I had to torque was the rear upper intake bolt. In my haste, I did not realize that the nut had the fuel rail wire under it :(. When I started to torque on it I noticed something felt mushy


Fuel injector line by LoneWolfman, on Flickr


When I looked I realized I had pinched the wire very hard and broken through the insulation. The wire itself looked intact, so I wrapped it in some electrical tape.

But how many wires or what kind of wire runs through there? It looked like the insulation was shielded maybe?

This seems like a big screw up on my part.

When I fired the car up, mind you it hadn't been run in almost a month, the car ran rough. Could this damaged wire be causing this?

I was thinking as well it could be my gas.

Any input on how to repair would be great


I also have another issue to contend with, an oil leak :(

I can't seem to find narrow it down all the way.

While doing the mess under the intake I went ahead and dropped the lower pan to check the upper pan bolts. I found one bolt in the pan and the rest were all finger tight

I went ahead and pulled them all, applied loctite, and torqued them down.

I had hoped that this was the cause of my oil leak. But I still have one.

The leak is coming off of the front somewhere and dripping down on to the top of the lower pan then off.

It doesn't look like it is the upper pan leaking. It looks like it starts from up higher.

The seam/gasket under the oil filter can looks pretty suspect. I degreased the engine in hopes of getting a better look.

If anyone has any tips or input on my oil leak that would be great too!

I just want to get it back running so I can enjoy it!

Thanks!

Edit: Started the engine after the degreasing. I was able to see right where the oile started to come from, Under the oil canister.

It doesn't seem to be leaking from the front, but instead back where I can't see, then it runs out to the front.

Anyone know what gasket is there to leak or if this is common?

Thanks!

[bats]

I'd imagine the wire would be fine.

Check your front crank seal for leaks.

[LoneWolf]

Thanks for the quick reply!

It looks like this leak is starting up high behind the oil canister and then running down the front side of the engine.

Any ideas what is behind that canister?

[vpilarrt]

Probably the gasket between the oil filter housing and the front case (this is a common leak area) but could be the gasket between between the front case and the block.

[LoneWolf]

Probably the gasket between the oil filter housing and the front case (this is a common leak area) but could be the gasket between between the front case and the block.

I don't think it is the front case, I assume you are talking timing case?

I don't think it is the front because when I started the engine I ran out and looked, just in time to see the oil start to leak from behind the oil canister and down that front seam.

There isn't anything else behind that canister that could be leaking?


Either way that canister gasket looks like it will be a pain, it seems that I would have to pull the alternator?

Update Still stumped on the rough running, fearing it is linked to that plug board wire I pinched. Going to take a better look at the damage to the wire.

I did order the oil canister gasket and o-ring. It should be here by the weekend. Will I have to drain my brand new oil should most of the oil be in the pan and away from the higher oil canister, allowing me to remove it without draining?

Thanks!

[Marauder42]

I don't think it is the front case, I assume you are talking timing case?

I don't think it is the front because when I started the engine I ran out and looked, just in time to see the oil start to leak from behind the oil canister and down that front seam.

There isn't anything else behind that canister that could be leaking?


Either way that canister gasket looks like it will be a pain, it seems that I would have to pull the alternator?

Update Still stumped on the rough running, fearing it is linked to that plug board wire I pinched. Going to take a better look at the damage to the wire.

I did order the oil canister gasket and o-ring. It should be here by the weekend. Will I have to drain my brand new oil should most of the oil be in the pan and away from the higher oil canister, allowing me to remove it without draining?

Thanks!

I think your oil leak is most likely coming from behind the filter housing. The o-ring and gasket you purchased should do the trick. Did this on my car a few months back and I didn't have to drain my oil. You will most likely make a mess when you remove the housing from the block. Here's a post from another user that gives a pretty good summary of you need to do. Hope this helps.

Quick summary for the m42,
-purchase housing o-ring and paper gasket
-make sure engine has cooled off
-loosen the alternator from bracket and move drive belt out of the way,
-disconnect the alternator from the bracket (2 bolts need to be pulled out and removed) and pull it off and move it aside,
-disconnect the alternator bracket (~4 bolts, with one hidden in bracket) and move it aside (wire not disconnected),
-disconnect the 6 small housing bolts from the block,
-put plastic sheet underneath car to catch some oil and pull off the housing,
-remove the old o-ring and paper gasket, clean contact surfaces
-install new o-ring and gasket, take care to orient the gasket correctly
-reinstall in reverse order,
-be careful to protect the surrounding wiring and the alternator wiring,
-torque bolts as parts are reassembled, check alternator drive belt tension,
-verify oil level, start engine and check for leaks. If still leaking, you may need to re-check bolt torque or gasket installation.
-tools: basic sockets, extensions, and open ended wrenches, large screw driver/prybar, worklight/flashlight, razor blade/scotchbrite pad to scrape old gasket from surfaces, (and mosquito repellent if working at night).
-In my case the most difficult part of the job was loosening the bolts during disassembly and pulling the alternator off the bracket. It is important to move the alternator and bracket out of the way as best you can (the alternator and bracket wires were not disconnected) while protecting the wiring from damage, also keep track of the bolts/nuts/hardware and where they go.
-Give yourself time, 1-3 hours, Good luck.

[LoneWolf]

I think your oil leak is most likely coming from behind the filter housing. The o-ring and gasket you purchased should do the trick. Did this on my car a few months back and I didn't have to drain my oil. You will most likely make a mess when you remove the housing from the block. Here's a post from another user that gives a pretty good summary of you need to do. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for this post!

It was very helpful, I couldn't seem to find anything on the procedure of changing that gasket.

Can't wait to dive in this weekend and get rid of the oil leak!

Now I just need to trouble shoot the rough running. Most likely a vacuum leak somewhere

I got a good diagram to check out those plug board wires on m42 club so I should be able to sort that if there is damage to the wires.

Thanks again!

[immajackuup]

so much I

[LoneWolf]

so much I

at first. But yes it is a lot of I.

Just want to be clear and concise...:D

[LoneWolf]

UPDATE



Success!!!

Turns out the plug boar wire damage was worse than I had thought. The brown/yellow wire was completely broken through and the red/white wire was nicked. After re-splicing those back together and wrapping it up well with tape, the car ran perfect.

I don't have any vacuum leaks and the car is running great!

Replacing the waterpump, thermostat, fixing the oil leak at the oil canister, and doing the mess under the intake has really given me a piece of mind. I can't believe how well it idles now.

Thanks guys for all your help!

I would probably suggest that the oil canister o-ring and gasket be replaced when you do the mess under the intake. It will eventually leak anyways, might as well do it while you have more room to work. Mine cracked off like old brittle plastic.

Last thing I have that I want to do is replace the clutch fan set up with the later model electric one and I have a new tensioner to install. But that can wait for now, time to enjoy the car.

[oldmann]

Congrats on finding the cause of your rough running engine.

I had the same type oil leak, chased it for weeks, until I noticed a drip from the oil pressure sending unit. not from any threads or such but leakin right out of the electrical connection. just a thought.

[bmwman91]

Wow, good to hear! I am amazed that it ran at all with the wires broken & (probably) shorted!