Nasty oil leak, but from where?

I have a horrible oil leak that just sprouted about 2 weeks ago. Approx 1 month ago i replaces the vcg's and timing cover gaskets, and i verified these arent leaking. The alternator bracket gasket is next, but with the amount of oil under my car and in the driveway, i dont think its the only thing leaking. Any suggestions what else could be?

I just fixed a bad leak I had ... It was the o ring seal on the oil filter housing .. You might want to check that as well

I had a leak from an oil sensor on the passenger side, it was leaking where the plug goes in so the cover of the plug made it harder to see where it was coming from

Originally Posted by allaboutdaz

I just fixed a bad leak I had ... It was the o ring seal on the oil filter housing .. You might want to check that as well

I replaced the oil filter and gasket when i did the other gaskets, but i will double check..Thanks!

Originally Posted by 061k@live.com

I had a leak from an oil sensor on the passenger side, it was leaking where the plug goes in so the cover of the plug made it harder to see where it was coming from

Ill look into that, Thanks!

If leak is on passenger side check seals on vacuum pump also.

Not trying to hijack but coincidentally i got a bad leak on the passenger side that developed recently and been having a hard time figuring it out, oil pressure switch is it i should check? and i will check the vacuum pump also, definitely not this bad from the VCG i added 2 quarts 1 week ago and had to add again :/
also its worse when the car runs then its parked not as bad when the car is sitting for awhile

Just had my mechanic do some work on my car on Thursday. After the work was done I did a visual and my vacuum pump is leaking. I noticed my oil level being a little low, so I knew something was up. he said it's a $600.00 part. He's checking to see if he can get a deal. He works out of his house on the side. It's easy to see if the pump is leaking. Take the center cover off and look down to your left (engine right). You should see traces of oil residue on the lower pan. Pump also shows oil residue.

Originally Posted by PRBMW7ser05

Just had my mechanic do some work on my car on Thursday. After the work was done I did a visual and my vacuum pump is leaking. I noticed my oil level being a little low, so I knew something was up. he said it's a $600.00 part. He's checking to see if he can get a deal. He works out of his house on the side. It's easy to see if the pump is leaking. Take the center cover off and look down to your left (engine right). You should see traces of oil residue on the lower pan. Pump also shows oil residue.

You don't need a new pump. Just replace the seals. They cost $20. Easy repair. See my post on vacuum pump repair.

Originally Posted by wjjklj

You don't need a new pump. Just replace the seals. They cost $20. Easy repair. See my post on vacuum pump repair.

X2

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Bimmer App

Thanks wjjklj. I'll give that a look. Everything is expensive on these cars so when you can save money, it's a good thing.

Originally Posted by PRBMW7ser05

Just had my mechanic do some work on my car on Thursday. After the work was done I did a visual and my vacuum pump is leaking. I noticed my oil level being a little low, so I knew something was up. he said it's a $600.00 part. He's checking to see if he can get a deal. He works out of his house on the side. It's easy to see if the pump is leaking. Take the center cover off and look down to your left (engine right). You should see traces of oil residue on the lower pan. Pump also shows oil residue.

The seals are fairly easy to replace on the pump. Unfortunately that is not my problem. My leak seems to be more concentrated to my drivers side.

I had that too. It was the oil cooler adapter plate. If your car doesn't have an external oil cooler, they put a plate, with an O ring seal. That starts to leak. It's a good size leak too. The problem is it's behind the Alternator and motor mount on left side. My left side is completely dry now that it's fixed.

Would that be the same as the "alternator mounting bracket gasket"? The little t-shaped gasket?

That I'm not sure of. My mechanic did the work. It was more then one seal or gasket. I think the major cost is labor. Hard to get to.

Check the oil pan seal is a common problem

Originally Posted by PRBMW7ser05

That I'm not sure of. My mechanic did the work. It was more then one seal or gasket. I think the major cost is labor. Hard to get to.

I have to pull the alternator off anyways to replace the mounting gasket so that is def something ill check.

And OT, could you post a pic of the rear of your car? I see your light are blacked out and I want to know how I would feel about doing the same

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

Check the oil pan seal is a common problem

It's hard to tell right now, there is a lot of oil runoff from the alternator accumulating on the oil pan

Don't like this picture because of reflections. I'll take some others.

check your oil pan gasket as well....that was the culprit on my 760li...one thing though the gasket is built into the oil pan.....yep..!

wjjklj,
In this post I talked about my vacuum pump leaking. You stated it could be resealed. Do you know where I could get the seals from?
Thanks.

i replaced mine recently:
http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/15

Thanks 745iguy. I'll show that to my mechanic. Should work.

Originally Posted by PRBMW7ser05

wjjklj,
In this post I talked about my vacuum pump leaking. You stated it could be resealed. Do you know where I could get the seals from?
Thanks.

I answered your PM but yes try BMPDesign. Kit costs about $28.00 including shipping.

Pictures:

TIS included