Oil in spark plug well?

[Ziradog]

I have a '97 ti with M44. I inherited it in April, at which time I replaced the plugs & wires. This weekend after changing teh oil, I went to re-torque the plugs & discovered that there was about 1" of oil in the well where the #2 plug is, and a smaller amount in the #1 well. My first thought was valve cover gasket, but I am now thinking that isn't it. The engine is running fine, no codes on the OBDII. Any ideas where the oil is coming from or what to do about it?

[98318ti]

Pretty common problem with these engines.

Here you go.

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...e+cover+gasket

[pdxmotorhead]

Valve cover gasket and seal kit.. Takes about 1 hour... If you mechanical bit longer if not..

Dave

[M-technik-3]

You hit the final nail on the coffin when you said Valve cover gasket. I'd start there.

[Ziradog]

Thanks, I'll order the parts & have a go at it.

[ChicksLikeLifts]

I know I'm late, but I agree it is your valve cover gasket.

This was my #2 about a week ago:


So i pulled the cover and you can see where the gasket was letting oil leak




it wasn't that hard to do. If i had to do it again, i'd pull the battery and tray first. That was really the only thing I removed to do it. It took a while because i was figuring it out as I went.

Most difficult part was getting to the bolts along the sides, and then keeping the gasket in place when putting the cover back on. I'm a girl so I [probably] have smaller hands than you, and it was still a tight fit for me lol.

Good luck!

[pdxmotorhead]

I also learned before you try and remove the old gasket stuff shop rags down in the cavities, the gasket gets brittle and shatters.

Dave

[bimbim]

I'd put a bead of silicon around those holes, the design on the head gasket is not the greatest...

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by bimbim

I'd put a bead of silicon around those holes, the design on the head gasket is not the greatest...

A gasket that probably lasts +150,000 miles is not the greatest?

You only need RTV in 4 spots.

[bimbim]

Replaced mine twice, now I have 159000, I'm sure most of the subscribers don't have that many mile when they complain about leaks.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by bimbim

Replaced mine twice, now I have 159000, I'm sure most of the subscribers don't have that many mile when they complain about leaks.

My newly acquired 95 probably has the original.
My M52 needed a gasket at +250,000 miles.
Guess YMMV.

[BimmerBum]

I am guessing BimBim meant to say valve cover gasket not head gasket... after all, there are no spark plug seals in the head gasket.