oil leak in one hell of a spot

[otters_tricks]

Hi folks,

I was just wondering if anyone out there with a M40 engine has ever had a oil leak from the main gasket mating the oil pump housing to the engine block? I have just finished fitting a replacement engine into my e30 touring having warped it's cylinder head. The leak on the replacement seems to be coming from an area just to the right/rearwards of the oil filter housing, I'd say it is losing 1litre every half hour.

I have fiddled about with the old engine to get my bearings before I go back under the bonnet but I was wondering do I need to replace the gasket that goes right along the length of the engine mating the lower engine sump cover to the block? I will also have to replace the oil sump drain gasket. Is there anything else I am forgetting or need to look out for? Also any tips for removing the crankshaft timing pulley?

My engineering friend suggested that I just try and thoroughly clean off the leaking area and load the area up with metal plastic weld; again does anyone have have experience of this stuff?

Cheers for now - Murdo

[otterstricks]

lets bump this

[mcbonio]

Loading the area with metal plastic weld is certainly a bodge.! Sounds like the gasket is gone, you think its the oil pan gasket? If so thats not a massive job to do.!

[otterstricks]

Hi and thanks for replying
No I'm almost certain that it is the gasket behind the oil pump housing that mates to the front of the engine block. I would need to remove the oil sump pan to gain access to the lower oil pump housing bolts. However I'm very aware that when I remove the oil pump housing from the block and upper sump that I may destroy/tear the upper sump to oil pump gasket which would add further problems.....

Have you any experience of metal plastic weld?

[TPS]

Total BMW July 2012 Page 72:-

"Low oil pressure can also be due to a loose oil pick up on the E30 engines, After draining the oil, remove the front sump cover & look up at the strainer, you may well find either the bolts are loose or the paper gasket has popped out. A nice easy fix that can solve all manner of problems."

This may be your problem?