Oil Leakage...

[Eaglesail]

I just read the "Oil Usage" thread below........ Today, I did my first oil - filter change on my 03 325xi. After removing the two under body plastic pan covers I see a film of oil everywhere. Both covers were wet with heavy amounts of road dirt thickened with oil from over the past 14 year.

I am somewhat disappointed because I didn't expect to see this with a car with 116k. Also, after removing the oil filler cap, I saw a concerning amount of yellow froth on the underside of the cap, not a lot, but I didn't expect to see this.

Also, there seems to be a drippage of differential oil..possibly 90 weight, smells like it, also in the pan.

I know the valve cover gasket is weeping oil a bit and I will replace that for sure.

Anyone with info here?

[vegaslightsss]

Well you might also have a look at your oil filter housing gasket. At your mileage if it has never been changed it is definitely leaking and is a $10 gasket. Also look at doing your ccv system while your in the there. The "froth" on the oil cap is condensation from driving for short periods of time and not letting the engine warm up enough to burn it off and it is normal for all vehicles that are not driven enough to get to operating temperature. The gear oil I would suspect either the axle seals or possibly a vent tube but I'm not familiar with awd models

[Eaglesail]

Hi vegaslightsss......Thank you....I'm guessing that the "oil filter 'housing' gasket...is not the large rubber O-ring that seals the oil filter body that you use a 36mm socket to remove! A housing gasket is.

Also, I am concerned about CCV. I know this is on my list too. I'm 62, I have owned most recently Volvo, MB, Audi...I did love my Dart and Valiant....now is my last car. 03 325xi 116k...

I'm anal...I don't like oil leaks!

I just want to find through others here where to look..........Steve

[jclausen]

The most coming oil leaks are valve cover, oil filter stand, oil pan gasket if it's really measly steam clean the engine first top and bottom. And or the front diff is leaking

[dhurley34]

The oil pan gasket is leaking on my 04 325xi. Not bad, but annoying. After realizing how much of a pain in the ass it is to change because of the AWD, I decided to live with it.

[legoman67]

oil filter stand gasket is super common and can make a huge mess of the undercarriage. It is also frequently misdiagnosed as the oil pan gasket. Easiest way to tell is to look behind the filter stand at the side of the block. If its also oil soaked its the filter stand.

Valve cover leaks generally drip onto the exhaust and you get a burning oil smell. it would take a pretty massive valve cover leak to soak the undercarriage.

[vegaslightsss]

No it is not the print from the actual oil filter but the housing that holds the filter that connects to the block. It requires removal of the alternator and power steering pump. Here is before and after shots. The gasket is where the paper towels are shoved into.IMAG0274.jpgIMAG0273.jpg

[Eaglesail]

Thanks guys...Today, I pulled the front underpan off again, and had a look back under the after underbody pan with a flashlight and nothing! Whatever oil leakage I may be having isn't showing to be immediately concerning. However, I do know the valve cover gasket does leak....but most concerning as I have been researching is attention to the 'ccv'.........