oil leak

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scurran83
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:58 pm

after noticing a slight oil leak at the front of the car. It seems strange to me as it looks like its coming from the radiator. Only drips when engine is running.
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daimlerman
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:59 pm

Is this mystery car an auto?
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scurran83
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:03 pm

sorry, no its a manual 325 m20
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fixedwheelnut
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:13 pm

Oil cooler fitted?
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scurran83
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:16 pm

no oil cooler that im aware of. if i get some spare time tomorrow ill try and see a bit more. i thought it was strange myself, being so far in front of the usual leak locations.
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daimlerman
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:31 pm

Strange,325i should have an oil cooler...
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scurran83
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:35 pm

where is it located?
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Brianmoooore
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:40 pm

Right under the radiator.
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daimlerman
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:41 pm

Follow the pipes forward from the oil filter sandwich plate.
Somewhere under/forward of the radiator.
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scurran83
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Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:45 pm

sounds like thats the problem then. Definately coming from under the radiator. Only leaks when running too. Is it a big job to replace?
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Brianmoooore
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:14 am

Might be something as simple as a failed O ring or one of the pipes has worked loose at the cooler.
If the cooler has failed, it's easy enough to replace, or, as a permanent solution you can remove it altogether.
Modern oils have rendered the cooler unnecessary on all but the most hard driven 325s, so there will be no ill effects from replacing the filter adaptor on the block with one from the 2 litre M20.
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e30topless
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Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:39 am

Brianmoooore wrote:there will be no ill effects from replacing the filter adaptor on the block with one from the 2 litre M20.
the 320i upgrade :D
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scurran83
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Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:38 pm

Happy days,
Ill get a good chance to look this weekend as i have a bit of time on my hands.
Thanks for the help. :D
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scurran83
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Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:24 pm

Oil cooler has failed. Pipes look ok but oil cooler is covered in oil. where's best to get the 320 filter adapter? or alternatively a new cooler? Is it a straight forward bolt off and on job?
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scurran83
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Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:02 pm

Is there a thread anywhere on replacing oil cooler? :?:
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