E39 525i oil leak diagnosis
Hi,
I am trying to figure out where I am loosing a good amount of oil from. Please check out the attached link which will take you to Flickr where you can see the 2 pics. The leak is on the drivers side behind the alternator and the oil is collecting in the recesses of the engine block. I have traced the leak as far as I can up on the block. I cannot see the leak as it's obscured from view by the intake and alternator. It is only leaking on the drivers side so I don't think it's the valve cover or the heads. Is it possible that my oil filter is leaking or the oil filter assembly ???
I dont want to tare the car apart until I know what I'm in for.
thanks for you help.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7964387346/
I am trying to figure out where I am loosing a good amount of oil from. Please check out the attached link which will take you to Flickr where you can see the 2 pics. The leak is on the drivers side behind the alternator and the oil is collecting in the recesses of the engine block. I have traced the leak as far as I can up on the block. I cannot see the leak as it's obscured from view by the intake and alternator. It is only leaking on the drivers side so I don't think it's the valve cover or the heads. Is it possible that my oil filter is leaking or the oil filter assembly ???
I dont want to tare the car apart until I know what I'm in for.
thanks for you help.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7964387346/
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
It is a very common thing on these cars that the seal behind the oil filter housing leaks.
Thanks Jayster. I googled the DIY and it doesn't look too bad.
Yep.
Try replacing the Oil Filter Housing Gasket, Oil Vanos Line/Hose and Crush washers...
I would also check the CCV for the correct pressure using the GT-1 BMW computer and a Manometer to measure the water-columns.
I would also check and clean-out the oil dipstick tube, since they are notorious for clogging...
Here is my thread about the CCV:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1376457
Here is a good thread about using an Oil Catch Can as an alternative to the [email protected] OEM CCV:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601440
Thanks!
Jason
Try replacing the Oil Filter Housing Gasket, Oil Vanos Line/Hose and Crush washers...
I would also check the CCV for the correct pressure using the GT-1 BMW computer and a Manometer to measure the water-columns.
I would also check and clean-out the oil dipstick tube, since they are notorious for clogging...
Here is my thread about the CCV:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1376457
Here is a good thread about using an Oil Catch Can as an alternative to the [email protected] OEM CCV:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601440
Thanks!
Jason
what's the normal burned oil amount for a E39 engine? How many miles 1 qt?
From the photo you uploaded, it looks like your Oil Filter Housing gasket is in need of replacement! You have to remove a few items, but overall not very difficult! I would say no more than a 2-3 hour turn around. The alternator has a "sleeve" on one side, if I remember correctly, where the bolt goes through...It's a very tight fit when you place it back in the bracket, so to save yourself the hassle of wrestling with it, simply tap that said sleeve out a bit,it could be in, it's been a while and that sucker will slide right in! When you tighten her up, it will move right into place. Good Luck!
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
