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Thread: Oil Leak

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    2001 BMW Z3 2.5i

    Oil Leak

    Hi 2011 2.5I Z3
    Shop said last fall I have a oil leak on the oil pan gasket.
    They they could remove oil pan and replace gasket without removing the motor.
    I am wondering if that is possible?
    And if so is there any thing I should look at replacing of the parts that they have to remove to get to the oil pan and what should they check inside the engine when they remove the oil pan

    Thanks for everybody help
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    E36/7 E36/8x2 E46 F25
    The oil pan gasket is an easy job for someone with experience and tools. Drop the suspension cross member, move the ps pump, remove oil pan. However, over the years I have found most oil pan leaks to actually be a mis diagnosed oil filter housing leak.

  3. #3
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    2001 BMW Z3 2.5i
    I Had The oil stand gasket fixed in 2016
    They said it look like it was leaking by the bell housing
    But when I look under the car it looks like it is leaking form the the front of the engine
    which would be the where the oil filter is

  4. #4
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    Another very common source for an oil leak is the 32mm cap over the timing chain tensioner (RH/front); snugged one up today.

  5. #5
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    I will Have to check for that when I get the car out of storage.
    If it is the oil pan
    Is there any thing I should look replacing as they take parts off to get to the oil pan?

  6. #6
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    Jan 2017
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    orlando,fl
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    2000 2.3l z3
    Maybe the oil pump nut thing ?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geoz3 View Post
    I will Have to check for that when I get the car out of storage.
    If it is the oil pan
    Is there any thing I should look replacing as they take parts off to get to the oil pan?
    Engine mounts; they're right there, and you're already undoing one (1) end of them anyway. They definitely deteriorate over time__they're rubber, and rubber never stops curing, it just keeps getting harder and harder.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    F30 328d X-Drive
    I replaced my oil pan gasket last year and did not remove the motor. I did support the motor with a hoist though because I pulled the front cross member out and replaced the motor mounts at the same time.
    1995 Mazda RX-7 Feed Widebody LS3 6-speed (Toy, project)
    2010 Cadillac Escalade Luxury (Daily, Pulls my 18' car hauler)
    2014 BMW 328d XDrive (Wife's Daily)
    Have owned 4 other BWM's I no longer have.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
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    2000 BMW z3
    Engine wash it. Put UV dye. Check for leaks after a few days.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the reply's guys I will keep you updated as to what I find when I get the car out
    Right now they are saying maybe plus 2 C by next Monday I need more heat before I take the car out

  11. #11
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    Uncovered car today check under the car and it does look like it leaking from oil pan by the bell housing.
    But what is leaking out of the front I do not know it seems that the spot in the picture has dried up you can still see residue on the floor.
    I just can not figure out what it is.
    It does not look like antifreeze there is a slight oily residue but I do not know what can evaporate and leave an oily residue

  12. #12
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    2001 BMW Z3 2.5i

    Oil Leak

    Well I got the car out yesterday
    Attached is a picture of the leaks
    The one at the top of the picture is the oil pan gasket by the bell housing
    The one at the bottom is a leak that I do not know what it is
    It is a clear fluid it does not seem like oil but is slippery does not look like anti freeze
    Any Ideas?
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #13
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    2002 M Coupe
    power steering fluid?

    Marty

  14. #14
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    The power steering fluid is red this fluid is clear

  15. #15
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    E36/7 E36/8x2 E46 F25
    Engine oil, power steering, coolant are the three main leaks. If automatic, add the transmission cooler.


    /.randy

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geoz3 View Post
    The power steering fluid is red this fluid is clear
    What's it taste like...?



    The only fluid that should be clear__though rarely is__would be brake fluid. I think you'd better figure out where it's coming from (my money is on clutch slave)!
    Last edited by Randy Forbes; 04-30-2018 at 10:56 AM.

  17. #17
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    The chances of it being water droplets from the A/C being on are __% ???

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  18. #18
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    Clutch, brake, and A/C aren't at the front, per post 11.


    /.randy

  19. #19
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    Randy
    It taste a little sweet at first and then gets bitter
    If you look at the first pic
    it looks like it is leaking right under the rack & pinion steering
    Where on the car would the Clutch Slave be located?
    Also took off power steering cap yesterday and the oil is red but milky colored ( which means air could be getting into the system I think)

    George

  20. #20
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    Pretty common for the little elbow to leak where it connects to the w/washer pump__that could taste sweet (I just use water/alcohol in my cars, as it smells just like the fluid they came with when they were new).

    That's at the front...

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Forbes View Post
    Pretty common for the little elbow to leak where it connects to the w/washer pump__that could taste sweet (I just use water/alcohol in my cars, as it smells just like the fluid they came with when they were new).

    That's at the front...



    Me too, but I do because it burns better.


    /.randy

  22. #22
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    Randy
    what you describe has been replaced already and the fluid is clear my washer fluid is green
    At any rate I will be taking car in to see if the shop can shed some light on where the leak is coming from

    George

  23. #23
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    2006 BMW 325xi
    Finally getting weather for open cockpit driving. Backed my '01 3.0 Auto out of the garage today with two oil spots found on the floor. Degreased the floor and underside of undercarriage and placed a piece of clean cardboard under the engine/tranny. Two days later two distinct oil spots on the cardboard. Jacked the front end up and used a borescope under and above the engine in an attempt to fine the origin of the leak(s). Not very conclusive. I also needed to renew my inspection so I asked my mechanic if he could take a look while the car was on the lift. His assessment was the leak was coming from somewhere in the upper part of the engine. So oil filter housing, timing chain plug, valve cover are all suspect. Need to remove all plastics and take a peek. It's close to needing an oil change and I want the leak taken care of before that. More later. Very good thread giving me possible solutions for the symptoms exhibited.
    Ebby
    2011 328xi
    2006 325xi
    2001 Z3 3.0i
    1998 325i

  24. #24
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    Just took some pics from behind front driver side wheel if you look at the picture you can see two drips on the rubber boot what is above that could be leaking
    oops pic upside down

    20180506_103604.jpg

  25. #25
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    2001 Z3 3.0/5 roadster
    Or a torn boot full of water if you drive in the rain. When I replaced my boots/tie rods one side was very rusted under the boot. The other side was pristine
    Last edited by Dakar Ole; 05-06-2018 at 09:33 PM.

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