oil leak

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:24 am

Just recently got a 1 owner 318is (see previous post) When I looked at this car, I am 100% sure it was all clean and dry underneath, and chap I bought it from got the oil & filters changed prior to me collecting it, car was hardly used or driven far. I had a 240 - odd mile drive home (nice) but I notice some fresh oil on my garage floor, its hard to tell exactly where it coming from, as I've not had it up in the air or on ramps, it looks like either the drain plug may not be on tightly enough, although I cant move it by hand ! or does the sump have a gasket ? could it be that ? OR - do these cars have a "common" oil leak from A certain place ?
Whats the worst it could be ? - I'm not all that mechanically minded - as you may ahve guessed !

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:26 am

Check the filter is really tight (mine leaked after oil change), then get it up on ramps.

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:31 pm

scallyally wrote:Check the filter is really tight (mine leaked after oil change), then get it up on ramps.

Thanks scally I'll check that.

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:16 pm

Sump bolts can work loose and leak from the sump gasket, you will need either a ramp or a jack and axle stand set up to check from underneath

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:10 pm

cheffy wrote:
scallyally wrote:Check the filter is really tight (mine leaked after oil change), then get it up on ramps.
Thanks scally I'll check that.

Bit worried about this bit of advice! "Really tight" for an oil filter is still not very tight at all!
Three quarters of a turn after the seal makes contact is plenty.
Check that the clutch fluid level isn't going down in its reservoir.

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:17 pm

Cheers slideout I'll check.

Anyone tell me if / where there is a "thanks" icon on here ? save writing a message all the time !

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:21 pm

cheffy wrote:Cheers slideout I'll check.

Anyone tell me if / where there is a "thanks" icon on here ? save writing a message all the time !

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:24 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
cheffy wrote:
scallyally wrote:Check the filter is really tight (mine leaked after oil change), then get it up on ramps.
Thanks scally I'll check that.
Bit worried about this bit of advice! "Really tight" for an oil filter is still not very tight at all!
Three quarters of a turn after the seal makes contact is plenty.
Check that the clutch fluid level isn't going down in its reservoir.

It is engine oil thats leaking - I know that for sure ! not clutch fluid

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:00 pm

The centre bolt holding down the filter cap (M42) continued to leak after tightening due to the copper washer not sealing. It was slightly oversize on the bolt diameter and needed re-positioning a number of times (non oem?)

It took quite a bit of torque to seal. Is this normal?

Post Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:18 pm

Mine was dripping oil and it turned out to be the sump plug washer was missing. 23 pence, job done.

Post Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:32 am

Thanks for all the replies, I hope to get it up on my ramps at the w/e and I'll have a good look.
Nothing too serious, hopefully.
This car has only done about 2000 miles in the past 4 years or so, and has most likely never had a good run for many many years, guy I bought it from, his wife was the only driver for quite a few years, and never had it in 5th gear !! I bought it w/e before last, drove it 240 - odd miles home, about 180 - odd of these miles on the M6, traveling at 70mph, (no more ofcourse - as that is the speed limit !)
Could this have loosened something or maybe the higher than normal oil pressure blew a gasket ???

Post Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:52 am

This has been fixed when I hot major service done, was sump plug - washer or O ring or something simple like that - happy days