Oil leak from head gasket? - 325i

[chippenham_touring]

Engine is losing oil from the top of the engine, not sure wether it is the rocker cover gasket or the head gasket.
There are stains on the rocker cover, but the head itself seems clean. Not sure if this is due to the heat burning the oil off in that area.
Block is covered with oil.
Any ideas?
Thanks

[zimmerbimmer1]

check the front camshaft oil seal.

where on the block is the oil stains

[jcjdavis1]

check the front camshaft oil seal.

where on the block is the oil stains

Hi If it is the cam oil seal is it easy to change. (not trying to steal thread)have similar prob.

[stonesie]

If it is the front cam oil seal you will need the cambelt off to get at it (and the pully) so its best to change the belt and idler/tensioner pullys, then it turns into a ''may-as-well'' job... You may-as-well change the water pump and flush the coolant system out while your in there, then change the alternator and pas belts.

It goes on and on

[jcjdavis1]

Hi After swapping head plus all the usual I have a small amount of oil and was told it was probably cam.oil seal.

[B7]

Another common one on old heads is the rocker shaft u shaped plugs. They go hard and leak like sieves.

[chippenham_touring]

It has been leaking for a while, so it is difficult to tell but it seems worst at the sides of the block. Where are the u shaped plugs?

[B7]

On the ends. They seal the u shaped apertures where you drive the rocker shafts out.

Sounds like just cam cover gasket to me. They aint that dear. Stick a new one on see if it cures it

[zimmerbimmer1]

The U shape plugs fit at either end of the rocker shafts.

Try steam cleaning engine and watch were the oil comes from

[chippenham_touring]

I can't find them on the ETK, any idea what the p/n is?

[jcjdavis1]

Hi Plug part no.B11.1.264.519 Price for 4 £3.62 for a 320i

PS After changing I am still getting oil down the o/s front corner of engine,looks like cam oil seal next.