1996 bmw318ti oil leak

mikem · 11-18-2006, 04:46 AM

I got home from work today and noticed a few small drops of oil on my garage floor. It's a 1996 bmw318tiA. I will probably take the car to sears to have the oil leak fixed or sealed. what would be a general estimate for this kind of repair? this is the first time it has ever leaked, and it's very little if that makes a difference.
Any advice here would be much appreciated, I don't know a ton about cars and I don't want to get ripped off.

adempster1 · 11-18-2006, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem

I .
Any advice here would be much appreciated, I don't know a ton about cars and I don't want to get ripped off.

My two cents, first try to identify where the oil leak is coming from. Drain plug? Mine had a leak there once and all it took was for me to replace the drain plug washer that is included with the oil filter for the M44 engine. Get a flashlight look under the car from the passenger side and take a look at the drain plug and see if you see oil leaking. Mine used to have a drip at the drain plug, since I started replacing the washer every time I change the oil all I see now is dry. Do the basic PMCS (Preventative Maintenance Check and Services.) Before taking t to Sears.

Bluebimma · 11-18-2006, 06:43 AM

Also make sure to identify where it is coming from because it could be your power steering and not the engine.

pdxmotorhead · 11-18-2006, 08:07 AM

And for petes sake don't take it to sears.....
Good mechanics make too much to work there..

Dave

mikem · 12-03-2006, 10:37 PM

I took the car to pep boys. They looked at it and said it needs to be stem cleaned so they can see where the leak is coming from. So I asked where I could have it stem cleaned and they said they had no idea. So for right now, I am just trying to keep oil in it so the engine doesn't cease. But I never changed my own oil before so now I am trying to figure out what the right kind of oil is for the car. again its a 1996 bmw 318 ti a.

ASRACER4 · 12-05-2006, 01:06 AM

i agree check the drain plug a common area for leaks
next look around the valve cover.

mphmotorwerks · 12-05-2006, 01:10 AM

You could also check the oil pan gasket

Bluebimma · 12-05-2006, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASRACER4

i agree check the drain plug

Make sure that the washer is still good. #12 in the pic.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...=24&fg=15&hl=4

mikem · 12-05-2006, 07:27 AM

i looked at that picture. So that pan is where the oil goes? and how would i know if the washer is not good? will is be rusted or something?
and isn't # 10 in that picture also a washer? Should I check that one out too?

and lets say it is bad. So then I want to replace the washer. Is it even safe for me to unscrew that? won't oil gush out?

and on top of that, i was driving the car today and i hear a sort of strange buzzing sound. any idea what that could be?

mphmotorwerks · 12-05-2006, 05:55 PM

When your under your car, just back from the front rack/sub-frame you should see your oil pan. There is a screw that is there so you can drain you oil. Yes if you remove this all you oil will come out so your going to have to check the when you change oil. On that screw there is suppose to be a copper crush washer that seals the screw to the pan so it doesn't leak. Sometime people will not change these every time they change oil. The thing about copper is it is a soft metal and after it is compressed it keeps that form, so after time they start to leak. When you buy oil filter most come with 3 rubber seals, the copper washer and the filter. This is soon you can replace the washer and the seals in your oil filter canister. So next time you change oil or if you going to change oil so you can check this make sure you buy a filter that has all the seals and washers so you can replace them. Mahle and OEM BMW filters are the 2 I know for sure comes with the extra seals. Below is a picture I took off of eBay that shows the filter and the seals that come with it.

mooseheadm5 · 12-05-2006, 06:28 PM

mikem,
No offense, honestly, but you need to take it to a GOOD mechanic (not Pep boys or Sears, Mearchants, Mineke, etc.) Find a BMW specialist. You do not really know enough about the car to diagonose the leak. Do not even think about asking a mechanic what it is and how much to fix it before they even look at the car. Most places charge you extra when you do stuff like that. Trust me, a good mechanic will find the leak and fix it. People here on the 'net can try to point you in the right direction, but if you don't even know what you are looking at, they really can't help you that much.
-Paul

mphmotorwerks · 12-06-2006, 08:25 AM

I'll agree with mooseheadm5, if you know what you are doing...then by all means fix it yourself. But if not, take it somewhere and get it fixed right. Find yourself a good BMW specialist that know how these cars work and let them fix it. That way it is done correct and with good oem parts. Not to down the national chains like Sears, Mineke, Pep Boys, etc.....but when it come to BMW they are kinda a speciality item if you know what I mean. Where are you from....there is prob someone on here from your area or knows of a shop in your area that is a trusted place to get you can get the work done.

mikem · 12-06-2006, 07:46 PM

toms river new jersey. and I have no idea what i'm doing.

mphmotorwerks · 12-07-2006, 04:04 AM

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12634

Check this post

mikem · 12-07-2006, 05:38 AM

So I had the oil changed. Mobil 1 15-40. Think that's okay?

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