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Thread: e30 325i 88' oil leak help

  1. #1
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    e30 325i 88' oil leak help

    1988 325i cov. This car has a great engine rebuilt by the previous owner. everything seems fine. no leaks. however, one night i went out and did some stupid runs and revved the car for a good 20-25 mins during the run (5000-6000) rpm. which is pretty high for a car at this age. the next day, i realize theres a small "puddle of oil" on the ground below the engine bay. the puddle is around the passenger side towards the front of the car. (just to give you a picture of leaking position). I'm trying to figure which part might be leaking. i cannot locate the exact leak source. can someone please suggest where it could most possibly be leaking after such scenario? i try to assume its the oil pan gasket, but there seems to be oil above the pan gasket on the passenger side of the engine. any constructive comments would help. thanks.
    which part leaks after revving?

  2. #2
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    Two things come to mind. One is the oil pressure switch. That's located at the base of the block on the passenger side. The other likely place is the oil filter housing. Besides the filter gasket and cooler o-rings, there is another part that can fail and start leaking. I can't remember the name but it's #7 in this diagram. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...29&hg=11&fg=30
    "Howdy, Folks!"

    1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler.
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    1998 Avus Blau 328iC - Someone else's project now
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    1988 325, 1969 2002
    clean and degrease the engine, let it dry, and then let the car idle while you look for a leak.
    1988 325 "super ETA" - Hilde - M52B28 swapped...
    1969 2002 - Griselda - 20VT AWP swap and full resto in progress...



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  4. #4
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    1987 BMW 325e sedan

    It's the oil pressure switch

    I had the exact same issue with my 1987 325e; once it was up on the rack it was obvious the oil pressure switch was the culprit. A $15 fix, no big deal.

  5. #5
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    Dye works really good too if you have a black light.

    I wouldn't worry about putting the engine at it's limits, as long as you do it responsibly. I drive my e30 pretty hard and the engine often sees speeds in excess of 5k rpm. It's not an issue if you properly care for the engine.

    Even my e23 sees engine speeds around 5k, but not as often as my e30. It's more of a cruiser than sporty
    -Chris
    My e30 build thread/color change here

  6. #6
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    Thanks for the input guys, I have also noticed that i have oil stain on the block (Right below Where head gasket should be). BUt i have noticed that since i got the car and the car didn't leak oil before. I have also seen other e30 M20b25's with similar stain on the corner of the block. is that common as well?

  7. #7
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    Oh. That leak. Does it look like it's coming from the headgasket right by one of the ridges in the casting? If so, plan on doing the headgasket.
    "Howdy, Folks!"

    1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler.
    1989 Zinnoberrot 325iX Sedan - I miss this car. (Deceased)
    1998 Avus Blau 328iC - Someone else's project now
    2008 Platinum-Beige X3 3.0si - Current project
    2012 Alpine White X3 xDrive35i - My new snowmobile.
    2020 Estoril Blue 440i xDrive cabrio - This car is a blast to drive.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by richardodn View Post
    Oh. That leak. Does it look like it's coming from the headgasket right by one of the ridges in the casting? If so, plan on doing the headgasket.
    +1. Had the same leak on mine. No other symptoms of a bad head gasket (no overheating, no coolant in oil, etc). Replaced it with OEM part from the dealer last year and no issues since.
    2003 530i -- DD; 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe -- fun car; 1990 325i convertible -- sold; 1974 Porsche 914 2.0 -- sold; 1989 325i sedan -- sold; 1983 633CSi -- sold; 1982 323i -- sold

  9. #9
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    1989 325i
    Head gasket is same as valve cover gasket?

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by redbeemr View Post
    Head gasket is same as valve cover gasket?
    Unfortunately no.
    2003 530i -- DD; 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe -- fun car; 1990 325i convertible -- sold; 1974 Porsche 914 2.0 -- sold; 1989 325i sedan -- sold; 1983 633CSi -- sold; 1982 323i -- sold

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by redbeemr View Post
    Head gasket is same as valve cover gasket?
    No, the valve cover gasket goes between the valve cover and the head. The head gasket goes between the head and the block.
    -Chris
    My e30 build thread/color change here

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    1989 BMW E30 325I

    oil pressure switch e30 325

    [QUOTE=VARick;25698000]I had the exact same issue with my 1987 325e; once it was up on the rack it was obvious the oil pressure

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Long beach
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    87 bmw 325i vert
    Hey on my 87 325i vert under the whole engine is a dark layer or idk what with dirt im worried its oil that dirt just stuck too, its on the steering rod i think its called too

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