Sudden huge oil leak

[Perern]

I went to the gas station to fill up and wash the car. Parked the car and filled up, noticed a strip of oil starting 5 meters behind the car and a huge puddle under the engine. There's nothing when I look under the hood, looks like it came from under the intake manifold. Could the CCV just explode like that? Also I tried to turn the car over, it got a little but didn't stop like it seized. Could the cylinders be full of oil because of failed CCV?

528iA 10/99

[MIKYZZ4]

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START THAT VEHICLE!!
Have it towed to your favorite mechanic,
or your own garage if you DIY,
and up on a lift for inspection of damages.
Check for loose oil pan drain bolt that may have fallen out.

[JimLev]

Pull the plugs out before you try to crank the engine over again.
See if there is any oil coming out of the plug holes when you crank it.

[djb2]

Check the oil level. Verify that it's engine oil rather than transmission fluid.

The CCV wouldn't likely explode, and it wouldn't likely dump oil.

The oil filter housing gasket has been known to fail dramatically. It tends to squirt oil out under pressure, rather than dumping it out with the engine off.

[Perern]

Luckily the gas station also has a shop and I know they're good, I got it towed around the corner and they're going to look at it today

- - - Updated - - -

Check the oil level. Verify that it's engine oil rather than transmission fluid.

The CCV wouldn't likely explode, and it wouldn't likely dump oil.

The oil filter housing gasket has been known to fail dramatically. It tends to squirt oil out under pressure, rather than dumping it out with the engine off.

I had checked the oil on Friday and it was fine, I checked it again right after it happened and it was dry

[Perern]

I just had a thought, could it be a freeze plug on the oil filter housing? Looked like it fit with where the oil went on the crank case

[StephenVA]

Here is your image of the housing and the DIY on the gasket repair process and the "Freeze Plug" repair and location for the 528.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...gs-quot-Repair

No shop is going to do the freeze plug repair. They will just order the entire housing and the necessary OPS, gasket, antifreeze, oil filter, vanos oil line and crush washers, etc.

If your P/S Reservoir and lines are leaking now is a GREAT time to replace them all as the area is wide open and easy access.

[StephenVA]

Oops That was a later model Oil Housing. Here is the older 528 housing image

[Perern]

They managed to turn the engine today but not more than half a turn, is there still hope? I'm going to order everything for the S842A CCV, is there a dipstick tube that's insulated too?
I'll probably take a look at it this weekend

[StephenVA]

Hopefully they pulled the plugs FIRST. There is no CCV like the older models on your application I believe. The last years of the pre face lift could have had either.

Update: Real OEM shows the older version for your application, not the new CCV as found on the 525 applications. On this one, is there any body left with all the salt you use on the roads? Rust has to be the largest challenge owning a 15 + Year old BMW in Norway.

[Perern]

Hopefully they pulled the plugs FIRST. There is no CCV like the older models on your application I believe. The last years of the pre face lift could have had either.

Update: Real OEM shows the older version for your application, not the new CCV as found on the 525 applications. On this one, is there any body left with all the salt you use on the roads? Rust has to be the largest challenge owning a 15 + Year old BMW in Norway.

Definitely! I'm planning to replace both rocker panels. Because of a stupid law we had until january this year cars with more horsepower were a lot more expensive, there's a lot of 520i and 520d on the road. that's why I want to keep mine.
Would the cold climate CCV from the M54 fit my M52TU? This one: https://www.autoteile.de/en/product/V20-1872

- - - Updated - - -

There's someone in Norway that retrofitted everything from the cold climate version. The Vaico kit and these pieces:
11611440318 vacuum manifold
13547504728 throttle body gasket
11437531258 dipstick tube
11431436293 dipstick
13541435627 intake rubber piece

That was on a M54B20, I'm guessing the gasket and maybe the rubber piece doesn't fit on mine? Are those necessary?

[StephenVA]

The set up is way different and there are not any issues with the older versions hydro locking in the USA. Now in Norway the average temps are way colder than Continental US. The trick is to confirm the lines are in good shape, not full of water/oil vapor goo ("Mayo" in US slang), replace them all as they are brittle and will break as soon as you touch them. At your age and mileage, I would do preventative replacement of all the CCV system parts using the cold weather ones. Image below.

No.	Description	Supp.	Qty	From	Up To	Part Number	Price		Notes
01	PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE		1			11617501566	$57.63
	For vehicles with Cold-climate version	S842A=Yes
01	PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE		1			11617533400	$65.78
02	Vent pipe		1			11611432559	$25.73
	For vehicles with Cold-climate version	S842A=Yes
02	Vent pipe		1			11617533398	$28.08
03	Connecting line		1			11617504535	$33.87
	For vehicles with Cold-climate version	S842A=Yes
03	Connecting line		1			11617533399	$33.87
04	Vent hose		1			11157532649	$15.37
	For vehicles with Cold-climate version	S842A=Yes
04	Vent hose		1			11157532629	$15.37
05	Screw	K60X22	2			11617533331	$0.75
06	VACUUM HOSE BLACK	3,5X1,8	X			11727545323	$14.82
07	Return pipe		1			11617504536	$33.8

Now, if the vanos line is blown and leaking oil, that is a different issue. The question here is to test not stumble through a "let's see if we can get it started" attempt. A shop with BMW knowledge is way preferable than a butcher shop that is learning on your car. Approach any process they mention with care. Did they pull the plugs to confirm cyl are NOT full of oil. Oil/water will NOT compress, hence bent rods, busted head gaskets, etc, etc.

Good luck.

[Perern]

I'm buying a cheap car today so I can fix it. Getting it towed to my shop and will take a look this weekend, first thing I'll do is to check the cylinders

[Perern]

I finally had time to check it out. The return hose from the CCV to the dipstick tube had cracked and the vacuum line from the fuel rail to the CCV had snapped off. Looks like oil got sucked up to the valve and out through the hole in the hose and the point where the vacuum line connects. I'll check if there's oil in any cylinders tomorrow. I checked spark plug #2 and it was coated in oil

[StephenVA]

Good luck with the inspection!

[Perern]

I got the intake off today, sucked up all the oil from cylinder 3 and 5 which the valves were open, sucked up oil from the ports on the head. I turned the engine manually and watched if the valves worked, everything works as far as I can see and I can turn the engine smoothly without much effort.

I'll order a load of parts to replace vacuum lines, old plastic pipes, cold climate CCV with the new dipstick guide tube, also the starter since it's right there. I'll order a magnetic sump bolt and will do an oil change not long after I get it running again just to be safe.
Can I clean the intake with gasoline? Can I do something with the breather hole on the power steering cap? the whole reservoir and both hoses are coated in fluid and dirt because of it.

Here's a picture of the aftermath, at least it won't corrode like this
00180530.jpg