Oil Leak - Head Gasket?

[e30_troy]

Hey everyone,

First-time poster. I recently took a bit of a gamble buying a 220k mile (with no service records) '89 325i off eBay ($2125). So far, I think I've done OK. Ran an autocheck and it was a single owner car that appears to have been well maintained. The body and interior are straight (a couple exterior pics if you're curious):

https://imgur.com/a/zjIkz

My mechanic just did:
Oil Service
Alternator Belt
Power Steering belt
Fuel hoses (there was a leak)
Coolant hoses under intake manifold
Timing Belt / crank and cam seals (t-belt was previously done at 180k, there was a sticker on fuse box)
water pump and thermostat
valve adjustment and cover gasket.

Looking around the engine compartment yesterday, I noticed a wet spot at the very front of the engine, just to the right and below the exhaust manifold:

https://imgur.com/a/kbykW

It's large enough to make the immediate area wet with oil but I haven't noticed any smoke, and it's not dripping to the ground. Drove it a few miles yesterday and my oil level is staying ok.

My plan is to watch it for a week to see how strong a leak it is before taking it back to my mechanic. If it's not losing too much oil I'll probably live with it for the time being.

I'm guessing it's the head gasket, but thought I'd ask here. Thanks.

-Troy

[e30davie]

An engine i had did that too. I changed the headgasket and of course it went away.

I changed the gasket cause i had the engine out. Wouldnt suprise me if it was fine indefinatly with a weaping leak like that.

I think its fairly common.

[e30_troy]

An engine i had did that too. I changed the headgasket and of course it went away.

I changed the gasket cause i had the engine out. Wouldnt suprise me if it was fine indefinatly with a weaping leak like that.

I think its fairly common.

That's what I was banking on. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[101]

Indeed - that's a head gasket seeping. That's a very common spot for them to leak.

[e30_troy]

Indeed - that's a head gasket seeping. That's a very common spot for them to leak.

Glad to hear it.

Found this thread which seems to be the same issue I'm having. Glad it's common.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=219874

[tim88325is]

An engine i had did that too. I changed the headgasket and of course it went away

.

Did you machine the head at all or just replace the gasket?

[Steve Corbett]

Looks like you got a good deal, Heck 220K, its just broke in. Regular maintenance expect well over 300K.

[zaq123]

that could very well be a headgasket. There is an oil return hole in that area, usually occurs when HG was changed and block/head wasn't surfaced or cheap HG. You can try taking the valve cover off and check the torque on your head bolts but it wont' fix it most likely.
On the other hand, right side is the lowest as the engine is slanted so any leaks that occur above/to the right of that area will show up there. Common M20 leaks are head blind plugs (p/n 11331264519) or the cam seal. I'd clean that area with the degreaser and keep an eye on the area.

[DesertBMW]

my bet is on the cam seal, cam seal housing o ring, or valve cover gasket grommets. That is Goetze head gasket, those don't leak, only Victor Reinz leaks

[e30davie]

.

Did you machine the head at all or just replace the gasket?

Head was fully reconditioned. Unsure if it was bent before but yer they skim it flat.

[S.J.1981]

my bet is on the cam seal, cam seal housing o ring, or valve cover gasket grommets. That is Goetze head gasket, those don't leak, only Victor Reinz leaks

I know this is an old thread, but better to continue old ones and use the search than start new ones.

The head on my car is "new", was replaced 2,500 kms ago, new camshaft, valves, springs etc.

This was done in June 2017, so i guess there is no warranty left, will call the shop on Monday and see if they can repair this or not.

With that said, the invoices shows one cam seal in the front was replaced and so was the cover gasket and head gasket. However, it is unknown to me what brand(s) were used and no indication of the second cam O-ring and the rocker plugs ever being replaced, which makes no sense to me since the head is brand new.

I really do not wish to tear down the head, only to go through all that work when either an O-Ring or plug is the cause. So i guess i shall order a new timing belt kit with tensioner, pump, housing, thermostat etc. Might as well replace the radiator, hoses etc and get all the front O-rings/seals replaced.

Do you think this is probably better to search the front end/plugs/belts/cooling system first before tearing down the head?