Suspected oil leak on 325i - can anyone advise?

[Wid77]

Hi, I did some service work on my 1988 325i for the first time yesterday. I noticed a reasonable amount of oil at the front lower part of the engine and on top of the plastic tray that goes underneath the front part of the engine at the front of the car (sorry for not being any more technical). My car does use a bit of oil (not loads) and there is often an oily smell especially when i am stopped in traffic and the heater fan is on. I reckon i may have an oil leak. Does anyone know where this is most likely coming from and likely cost/work involved to sort it out?

Cheers

[E30BeemerLad]

M20 engines commonly weep oil at the front on the right hand side, there is an oil channel there and the head gasket seems to always fail to make a decent seal there.

Unless it is really gushing and your sticking a litre in every week then I wouldn't worry too much as otherwise it is a head off job to have a go at fixing, unless you wanted to take a chance putting an additive in the oil, but i don't know if anyone would recommend that.

Just keep an eye on it and clean off the crank position sensor which gets well covered on my car which leaks in exactly the same place.

[Wid77]

Thanks for the advice beemerlad. I will do as you say and just keep my eye on it. Doesn't use an excessive amount of oil at the moment. One thing i have noticed though is that the low oil warning light sometimes comes on even when i have filled the engine nearly to the top of the dipstick. Wierd.

[E30BeemerLad]

here's a pic on the front of my engine when i did the belt and water pump last year, you can see the oil & smeg around the front of the head and block

[fixedwheelnut]

Next time you do the cam belt replace the camshaft oilseal and o-ring as they are common for leaks

[Wid77]

Thanks for your advice. So , let me see...... cambelt, cambelt tensioner, water pump, camshaft oil seal & O ring. At least she's not depreciating too much! It's about the only saving grace with these cars, oh, and driving them of course.

[Fushion_Julz]

The oil pressure relief valve spring seal also leaks occasionally (on the front of the oil filter housing)

It's easy to replace...only be careful removing the circlip that the spring doesn't fly out...replace the rubber washer and replace spring, washer and circlip...

[KiNaKa]

oil leaking on an M20 are very common..

Apply threebond silicone on the NEW valve cover gasket, camshaft oil seal (pretty hard to replace, but if did) , as it will last you longer to leak...

oil filter with oil cooler adapter (all piping O ring) need to be replace on everything 15000 KM service...

beside this 2 things.. power steering reservoir..
anyone can suggest what to use in order to seal the 2 hose properly to the resevoir ???

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks for your advice. So , let me see...... cambelt, cambelt tensioner, water pump, camshaft oil seal & O ring. At least she's not depreciating too much! It's about the only saving grace with these cars, oh, and driving them of course.

You're talking about one of the best engineered, most reliable cars on the planet, and properly maintained and serviced by a competant mechanic, will remain so.
Remember, these cars have an age and mileage, where lesser makes will have long since been scrapped. A lot of E30s will have had their maintenance skimped or received attention from less than expert mechanics for a few years, but even this causes no long term problems, just a bit of catching up to do.

[Wid77]

Thanks for your advice. So , let me see...... cambelt, cambelt tensioner, water pump, camshaft oil seal & O ring. At least she's not depreciating too much! It's about the only saving grace with these cars, oh, and driving them of course.

You're talking about one of the best engineered, most reliable cars on the planet, and properly maintained and serviced by a competant mechanic, will remain so.
Remember, these cars have an age and mileage, where lesser makes will have long since been scrapped. A lot of E30s will have had their maintenance skimped or received attention from less than expert mechanics for a few years, but even this causes no long term problems, just a bit of catching up to do.

I only have to compare with my previous car which was a Citroen to know how well engineered these cars are. You can also tell by the clunk of the door. I would even say they are 'overengineered' to some extent, hence the weight and high fuel consumption. But, as you say, this means that they last much longer than equivalent cars from the same decade. I wouldn't change mine for anything else.

[kenwoir]

The oil pressure relief valve spring seal also leaks occasionally (on the front of the oil filter housing)

It's easy to replace...only be careful removing the circlip that the spring doesn't fly out...replace the rubber washer and replace spring, washer and circlip...

This could be the problem i have... i have a post titled 'got an oil leak' where i have a pic of where the oil is leaking from, could someone have a quick look and let me know if it is or if it's something you can maybe shed some light on..

Cheers

[oze30]

kenwoir.. thats the same leak if I read it correctly. Mine's leaking from there too.. but i'm probably selling it

[Fushion_Julz]

Kenwoir/Oze

If that is where you suspect the leak, then all you need is a spare O-ring (I used a random one I had lying around of the correct size, but a few pence from a dealer) and a small screwdriver or two.

It will take you 10 mins at most...Just don't loose the spring!!!

Cures the leak and even if you're selling it, will make it look nice and oil-tight for any potential non-enthusiast buyers.

[oze30]

fushion.. I got both leaks.. so no amount of O-rings will fix it up.. Gonna change the gasket ( head) and get a few nmoer quid for it