Minor oil leak and some other problems.

[Vefu]

Hey guys I've had my 84' 325e for almost 2 months now and I absolutely love it, unfortunately it has some problems that i'd like to get fixed before I head back to college.

First of all it is leaking some oil from what looks like under the headers. You might not be able to see in the picture but there is a piece of the frame that has some oil pooled up on it so the oil leak is probably right above it, I'm just getting into working on my car so if anyone could tell me what might be leaking right there that would be great.

The other problem the car has it there is a fuel smell inside the car when I accelerate in first gear, but a few seconds after I get going the smell goes away, does anyone know what this problem could be?

Anyways here is the picture. Thanks for all your help in advance.

[jlevie]

That oil could be from failed seals in the oil return tube under the intake manifold, bad intake manifold gaskets, or oil in the intake ( a common problem on a high mileage engine) leaking from the throttle body. It is impossible to tell from the picture which is the case.

A smell of gas in the cabin could be from a leaking fuel component or a rich cold start condition.

[Vefu]

I tried looking from under the car but it was hard to see exactly what was leaking because the amount of oil coating everything. Maybe i'll go under again and try and see what's wrong. Is there anything specific I should look at in regards to the fuel problem?

[Vefu]

Well, here is a picture of where the majority of the oil is coming from. Could anyone tell me what might be leaking here? I'm pretty new when it comes to working on cars so your help is greatly appreciated.

[jw 325ic]

Oil leaks- check the breather hose in between the intake manifold and block, the oil pan gasket, drain plug, valve cover gasket, oil filter and all of the oil lines connected to it.

Fuel, from memory there are 3 main fuel hoses in the engine bay (at least on my 88 325i) which you might check for cracks or leaking hose clamps. I believe the hoses are 8mm or 5/16. Make sure you use new clamps.
--the hoses go from the fuel pressure regulator (by the thermostat on the front of engine), from the fuel rail close to the firewall to fuel lines near the drivers side control arm. Can't remember where the 3rd one comes from but trace em. Also check all the hoses under the car and around the filter (in front of back drivers wheel), and lift the back seat up and make sure the fuel level sender covers arent leaking.

Before you pull a fuel hose depressurize the system.

[Vefu]

All of the oil leaks are coming from the area that the last picture was in. I checked the oil pan and the drain plug and there isn't any oil leaking from around there.

[jw 325ic]

Rear main? On my phone so its hard to clearly see the pics, do you see oil between the engine and trans?

[Vefu]

Yeah it looks like that might be one of the main things that is leaking. Would that seal be hard to replace on my own?

Here is a picture of the other main place where oil is leaking.

Thanks for your help.

[jlevie]

There is no way to tell, from the pictures where the oil is coming from or even if it is oil. The first action should be to throughly clean the engine. Then watch for the first sign of lakage.

[jw 325ic]

^this. it could even be power steering fluid just going by the pics...

[Vefu]

No it's definitely oil, I can tell because the oil level has been dropping a lot in the past month and the other fluid levels haven't changed.

[b*saint]

I had a gas smell. My gas cap was loose. Maybe yours is bad

[redhatpat]

Take a look at the oil pressure sensor, lower down on the right side of the block. I had a slow leak there for years until it decided it wanted to be a really big leak. It's very easy to replace.

[klavender1]

Or you can do like I do and consider it a rust preventer. And add oil once in a while. :D

[Vefu]

Okay, I just went and took a look at the oil pressure sensor and sure enough that is leaking too but barely any oil is coming from there. I have a much bigger leak coming from the area in the second picture.