E34 525 oil leak-any ideas??

[rover-2000]

Chaps

Just bought an E34 525i SE auto to knock about in. (M20 engine, so same as in my E30!)

Noticed today that it has an oil leak from the rear of the engine, seeping from between the flywheel/torque converter housing and that strange curved plate which is held to the bottom of the engine at the back with four bolts (What is it?? )

Took the plastic grid off the bottom of the bellhousing and had a good look inside. The flywheel/converter are bone dry-it just seems to be a seep from the very bottom of the engine. Then I noticed that the nearest of the four bolts on that curved plate was loose-I was able to tighten it by about 4 turns. Question-any chance that this is the source of my leak? Can't tell if I have cured it yet because there was already so much oil inside that I couldn't get to to mop up.

Or, is it the crank seal....hope not......

Cheers guys

[pacerpete]

It will be the sump gasket or the rear main seal. Either of those will be the reason it was headed to the bridge, until you gave it a stay of execution !

[rover-2000]

Hmm...just answered my own question about the curved alloy plate at the back-according to Haynes it's an "Inspection cover" and apparently more sump pan bolts lie underneath it.
Can anyone confirm that I can unbolt and replace this plate without needing any new seals or gaskets? I want to take it off and diagnose one way or another.
Thanks.

[pacerpete]

Yes, that rear alloy cover is removeable and the car will run without it. Usually will be greeted by loose sump bolts and evidence of broken gasket

[rover-2000]

Thanks.

[aimlessrock]

my money is on the sump gasket...messy job and requires you to left the engine over the crossmember (not sure if this is true on an E34.)