Whats happening in these pics??

[Jay07]

Hey People!!

I went and had a look under my car for the first time today! Was very happy with what i saw! there was a lot of oil about especially round the sump - i assume this is coming from the rocket cover (need to replace the gasket)

As for these pic please can you tell me what im looking at and what could be the cause/ solution to the mess??









Can i use a de-greaser on all this to clean it up?

much appreciated

Jason

[Brianmoooore]

If this is a six cylinder, there're loads of common places the oil may be leaking from other than the rocker cover gasket - some easily fixable, and some not so easy.
Clean it up with degreaser and try to see where it's coming from.
Or try to think of it as an automatic anti rust system. Beware of oil on the engine and gearbox mounts though, as oil rots them.

[alane]

the 1st 3 pics look like the gearbox and bellhousing or if its an auto the torque converter ,i would pressure wash it or degrease it and see where the oil is coming from -
maybe nothing to worry about old cars leak oil unless all the engine seals have been renewed .
hope this helps

[Brianmoooore]

It's defnitely an auto, but can't tell what engine.
BMW don't do "old" cars - they leave that to the likes of Ford and Vauxhall, etc. It's possible, but unlikely that it's an oil seal (shaft rotating inside type) that has failed, but there are plenty of well known other possibilities, especially if it's a M20.

[Hyperion]

Hi thats what my car looks like as well (auto m20b25). I got under her this weekend and noticed this, it looks like i got a leak somewhere on the left side of the engine, i think it is the power steering oil, its making a nice mess of things under there . I want to get the whole under car pressure cleaned so i can see whats going on.

[Brianmoooore]

If it's steering oil, then the two places that leak are :
1/ the connection to the bottom of the reservoir bottle. Cheap to cure. Remove the crimp type clip, and replace by a good quality hose clip.
2/ The rack seals. The rubber bellows at each end of the rack should not have fluid in them. If there is, a replacement rack is required. Not so cheap.

[Jay07]

Hey Ladz Thanks for all the replies!!

I will start by giving it all a good clean and see if that allows me to see when the leaks are coming from! (what this space)

To confirm she is an M20 - 3.20i Auto.....

Beware of oil on the engine and gearbox mounts though, as oil rots them.

Did not know that O'B'1 i'll have a look...

the 1st 3 pics look like the gearbox

I thought as much... is the vent in the pics just for air intake?

bellhousing

???

Hi thats what my car looks like as well

Sorry to hear that mate... i was really disappointed when i saw mine..
Are there any issue with pressure washing/steam cleaning the engine?? Do you have to get a specialist to do it?

1/ the connection to the bottom of the reservoir bottle. Cheap to cure. Remove the crimp type clip, and replace by a good quality hose clip.
2/ The rack seals. The rubber bellows at each end of the rack should not have fluid in them. If there is, a replacement rack is required. Not so cheap.

Hmm... once i identify what your talking about then i'll check it out..
When you say rack are you refering to pic 4 - ie. - do you mean Rack-and-pinion steering system........ if so then im with you.

[Brianmoooore]

Rack = rack and pinion steering system