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Old 08-28-2013, 04:42 AM   #1
cjreed92
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Default oil leak

Hey guys so I just noticed a good amount of oil leaking from my 97 ti but I am not quite sure what the exact diagnosis is. I do not believe it is a bad head gasket because the top of the engine is clean and there is no sign of oil near the top of the engine. Its underneath that is a problem. Underneath is a mess of grease and oil, not just in one concentrated spot but spread around to almost the whole front of the bottom of the car. The oil pan, near the underside of the radiator, by the ac lines, and just seems like everywhere. Because of it being everywhere I am thinking that it isnt just a dripping leak but a kind of spraying? I am not sure. Maybe just a hole in a hose, or a bad clamp somewhere...what else could be causing this? If anyone has some information or similar problems on their car in the past I would really appreciate your input! Thanks guys
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Old 08-28-2013, 04:52 AM   #2
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Valve cover gasket leak is the most likely to soak the ac lines. Also check the oil stand gasket. Are you certain it is engine oil? Could it be power steering?
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Old 08-28-2013, 04:57 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerBum View Post
Valve cover gasket leak is the most likely to soak the ac lines. Also check the oil stand gasket. Are you certain it is engine oil? Could it be power steering?
Alright I will give those a check. I am pretty sure it is oil because of the thickness and color, is there a specific way to determine between motor oil and power steering? How much do you think these gasket problems would set me back? Thanks for your input, much appreciated
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Old 08-28-2013, 05:33 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cjreed92 View Post
Alright I will give those a check. I am pretty sure it is oil because of the thickness and color, is there a specific way to determine between motor oil and power steering? How much do you think these gasket problems would set me back? Thanks for your input, much appreciated
The power steering generally leaks around the reservoir and runs down the lines.

None of these leaks are very expensive to fix if you can turn your own wrenches.
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Old 08-28-2013, 01:37 PM   #5
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If you haven't done it recently, you may consider changing you crankcase vent valve (item #16 in this diagram http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...62&hg=11&fg=15
)
I have found that if I have a rash of leaks, that valve is on its' way out.
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Old 08-28-2013, 05:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Entropyman View Post
If you haven't done it recently, you may consider changing you crankcase vent valve (item #16 in this diagram http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...62&hg=11&fg=15
)
I have found that if I have a rash of leaks, that valve is on its' way out.
Alright, thanks for the link it helps a lot! I am not sure if it has been replaced recently, most likely not since it didn't seem, like the guy I bought it from was keeping it in good shape hence the leak. I am going to have a mechanic look at it today and diagnoise it and then see of it is a good DIY project for me or not. Thanks for the input!
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Old 09-16-2013, 09:27 PM   #7
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Well I got my oil housing filter replaced and also my power steering lines, since those were bad as well, and it seemed like my leak was gone. But then I realized I was just wishing it was and in reality it was still there, only when the car was on though so it has to be a part where the oil comes under pressure, could this be the bottom oil pan gasket??

Furthermore:
A couple days later, after replacing my oild housing filter, I was going to take the car out. As I was heading down the street at normal speeds I noticed my temp gauge moving to the right, past the middle. This was unsettling to me since it was happening so fast and a began to smell coolant burning. I turned the car around and it was getting closer to the red zone so I pulled over and turned the car off. I was only about .5 miles out from home so I sat and waited for half hour for it to cool. I started it back up and got it home and started my investigation. I let the car sit over night to make sure it was completly cooled down before checking coolant levels. Low and behold my coolant was exteremly low, not empty but low. I put some extra coolant in that I had and turned the car on and let it idle so I could check for leaks. I didn't notice any leaking, besides my oil which im still dissapointed about, so I was really confused to how my coolant dissapeared. I could still smell burning coolant but couldnt figure out why. Then after about 20 min of idle, the temp gauge still in the middle, I started seeing white smoke coming from around the fire wall near the driver side. I turned the car off let the smoke clear and saw that a hose popped off from where it was supposed to be connected. Further research led me to believe that these hoses went to the heater core. So my diagnosis of the problem of my overheating engine and burning coolant comes down to this hose not being connected, am I right? I could smell coolant because these hoses transport coolat to the heater core but because of the disconnection it was escaping, lowering my coolant levels as well as letting me be able to smell it? If this is the case I would be much more happy because it seems like an easy fix. And if it is the problem then should I connect the hose myself, drain all the old ccolant and refill/bleed the system, or can I just add more coolant to the radiator till its back to full?

I could be completly wrong and this could not be the problem at all and that why I am asking you guys for your expertise. Let me know what you think, thanks!!!
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Old 12-12-2013, 03:58 AM   #8
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Default oil leak

I,m also posting about an oil leak front of the engine. I wanted to know if the oil filter housing is the most common leak? For the amount work it is to get to the housing is it wise to go ahead and get the parts first. Also wanted to know if there any problems getting the alternator out. I did change out the water pump a while back and really had to get aggressive getting the old one out. would there be related damage? Any help with this would be appreciated .
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Old 12-13-2013, 07:03 AM   #9
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Oil filter housing like death and taxes, it will happen. It takes under 2 hours with beer time.

Power steering supply and return hoses can oil the ront of hte motor down, the PS uses ATF NOT Power steering fluid.

All you need are the o-rings, bushing and gasket.

I did mine while changing oil.

GOod Luck!
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Old 12-15-2013, 04:35 PM   #10
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Thanks Dave,
I steam cleaned the front of the engine yesterday. Going to look for the leak today.
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Old 12-15-2013, 08:40 PM   #11
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Noticed today that I have an oil leak around the oil filter housing too.
This will need to wait until it's warmer.
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Old 12-15-2013, 09:10 PM   #12
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I just did the power steering cooler and lines and both engine mounts two weeks ago. Need to do the oil filter gasket now. Just did this on our lemons racer but on a m52 it's a bit easier.
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