'89 325i engine leak

[satvir]

New to e30's and just brought a '89 325i caddy with 150,000 on the clock and a oil leak! Any help as to what the problem is and what part i needed?

Oil pressure sensor?

[satvir]

[satvir]

Thats a link above of a video, showing the oil leak.

cheers

[HairyScreech]

if its leaking that badly simply clean the area and then look to see where the oil reappears from.

[satvir]

Previous owner describes it as a weep of oil and that he has never needed to top the oil up. Drove the car 70 miles home with no issues. Only on revving it hard to get it up a rough track towards my garage did it start to leak as shown in the video. Hopefully just the oil pressure switch!

[satvir]

If anybody who has seen the video can shine some light on the matter as what appears to be at fault, it wouldbe deeply appreciated. as with regards to parts etc.

I'm a newby to e30's and more importantly mechanics! And want to tackle as much of the work I can!

[ross2009]

it looks like its coming from the pressure switch as its dripping of the wire

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oil-Pressure- ... 5893d26962

[satvir]

Hey thanks for the help! but on searching on ebay there appears to be two different looking parts and they're both oil pressure switches!

Item 1:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325i-2-5- ... 736wt_1217

Item 2:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-BMW- ... _636wt_984

[ross2009]

that first one is oil level sensor you don't want that 2nd one you want but depends what plug you have on yours have you got the 2 pin junior timer as in the 2nd link or have you a spade connector like the link I put up?

[maggspower]

Item 2 is the oil level sensor, and not your problem.

The only way you can sort this for sure is to check for yourself. The oil is dripping (running) from the oil pressure wiring yes, but to me it looks like it is coming from above? I may be I'm wrong though.

This is what I would do, top the engine up with oil, run it until up to temp. Turn the engine off, degrease the area with gunk etc stiff brush then get a pressure washer on it, dont go mad with this as there are electrics right above the area just do the block. The oil should be easier to remove and the water should dry quickly as you have warmed the car up first.

Once dry get yourself where you can see the area, underneath is my suggestion, with the car on stands have a good torch at the ready too. Then get a mate to start the car, making sure its out of gear, while you are looking for the leak.

A leak of the magnitude you have should be easy to spot. Check the joint between the head and the block and the oil filter and pipes, then down to the oil pressure switch. It has to be there somewhere and like I said easy to spot.

Let us know your findings

[maggspower]

that first one is oil level sensor you don't want that 2nd one you want but depends what plug you have on yours have you got the 2 pin junior timer as in the 2nd link or have you a spade connector like the link I put up?

I think you have them the wrong way round

But yes I think there are 2 types of conector.

[satvir]

Thanks lads!

[Brianmoooore]

I could list at least a dozen common places that a M20 leaks oil, but yours is almost certainly a failed pressure sensor, as some have already suggested above.
The item in this link is the correct one: Item 1:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325i-2-5- ... 736wt_1217 , but it might well be cheaper from BMW.

Certainly cheaper here: http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/B ... b77&000519

[satvir]

Thanks for the advice, will get under the car at most point this week, give the block a clean and get a better look.

The car has stopped leaking a considerable amount, i have fitted any parts, but got under the car the other day to get a better look. And literally "played" around with the part that seemed at fault (the rubber and wire). After that only two drops of oil have formed since. Maybe something was loose? lol

Are the two items that i've listed off ebay connected? It looks as if the wire off item 2, plugs into the switch item?