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Thread: What sensor is this & Why is it leaking oil? ['03 525i Sport]

  1. #1
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    What sensor is this & Why is it leaking oil? ['03 525i Sport]

    Photos: https://imgur.com/a/iHudqRr

    It looks to be the sensor just above a large coolant hose at the front of the car, passenger side below the valve cover gasket. I just replaced the valve cover gasket like less than 10k miles ago, so I don't think that's it? However it appears to be leaking from the black sensor that sticks out. What is it and how do I replace it / how much does it cost?

  2. #2
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    Looks like your variable timing solenoid. Either it has gone to crap (broke), the O-ring is long gone, or it wasn't screwed back in properly (either loose or wasn't threaded in properly causeing morphed threads which is really bad. Hopefully the threads aren't the case)

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  3. #3
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by PostChris909 View Post
    Looks like your variable timing solenoid. Either it has gone to crap (broke), the O-ring is long gone, or it wasn't screwed back in properly (either loose or wasn't threaded in properly causeing morphed threads which is really bad. Hopefully the threads aren't the case)

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    Okay, can you link me the part # please?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike WW View Post
    Uhh, your post is blank?

  5. #5
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    I believe the cross reference number is 11367524489. I'm not exactly sure but nonetheless, always go oem for any kind of sensors for BMW's. These cars are very particular of their organs and blood type, just do your research and pay the price, or you'll Really be paying the price if you buy a cheapo offbrand

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  6. #6
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    Double check the part before you buy. Look up a procedure on how to remove it safely, then report back with the part so any of us can Id this part for sure

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  7. #7
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    PostChris, your number is for the V8, not for his 530.

    Number 2 should be it. Not sure why they only show the intake solenoid and not where the exhaust solenoid goes.
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DT63-USA-04_2000_E39_BMW_530i&diagId=11_7521#11361432532

  8. #8
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    That's a fair amount of oil on the connector for the VANOS solenoid. While it might be the solenoid o-ring, it seems more likely that it's from the exhaust cam position sensor. That also has an o-ring. The original o-ring was a high quality green HNBR o-ring which rarely goes bad, but if someone replaced the sensor (which are known to fail) they may have also replaced the o-ring with one that degrades more quickly.

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