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Thread: Oil Leak when shutting off car...

  1. #1
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    Oil Leak when shutting off car...

    I tried searching but don't see anything more than the common sources of oil leaks...

    My 2000 528i E39 leaks oil off of the last/lower oil pan bolt only when I shut it down. AND it only seems to leak after DRIVING the car, not just idling and shutting down. Weird, right?

    So I've replaced the valve cover gasket, the oil filter housing gasket and the oil pan gasket. With the pan off, it appears that the area around the RMS is dry, so I don't think it's from there.

    It almost seems like it pukes up/burps some oil? I'm wondering if something internally is relieving itself when it shuts down, as I have good vacuum when it's running.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks!

    Mike

  2. #2
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    Have you cleaned all the oil off the engine so you can see where it's coming from?
    Are you sure it's oil and not PS fluid?
    Maybe the upper oil pan gasket is leaking?

  3. #3
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    Also, may want to check the CVV system. If it's creating positive pressure in the crankcase, it will force oil out thru the weakest points. Try a piece of 8.5x11 paper over the oil filler hole while at idle. The paper should be sucked down onto the valve cover over the filler hole.
    Ed CT
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  4. #4
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    JimLev, didn't know that I had the engine (M52) with upper/lower pan?

    Ed CT, I have good CCV when running, looked into that already. Thought maybe something is releasing though, once the engine is shut off.

    Thanks
    Mike

  5. #5
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    sure its not just oil pooling somewhere on the engine and later dripping off? as stated before, id clean all the oil off of it, then you can see where the source is.

  6. #6
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    Crankshaft seal is another possible culprit. Just had to change mine out (v8)

  7. #7
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattmar1 View Post
    sure its not just oil pooling somewhere on the engine and later dripping off? as stated before, id clean all the oil off of it, then you can see where the source is.
    Agreed ^^^ After-Driving might mean something that would otherwise drip from the front gets blown-back to rear and when you stop there's still some residual.

    Quote Originally Posted by sienayr View Post
    Crankshaft seal is another possible culprit. Just had to change mine out (v8)
    Except he says:

    Quote Originally Posted by mdearman View Post
    it appears that the area around the RMS is dry, so I don't think it's from there.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  8. #8
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    How much oil are we talking about? Puddles on the ground? If not, just leave it alone.

  9. #9
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    My guess: a cracked valve cover

  10. #10
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    I had a similar oil leak which only occurred after the engine was shut down.
    When the engine is running the crankcase vacuum is sufficient to keep oil inside the engine. When you shut down the engine there is no longer any vacuum in the crankcase. Oil draining back from the upper reaches of the engine can leak out. In my case it was the oil pan gasket that had a slight leak. It had become hard and brittle and had some cracks in the rubber part of the gasket - it is a thin steel strip with a rubber coating on each side.
    When you replaced the oil pan gasket did you put RTV sealant as required in the 4 locations around the bottom of the crankcase where the timing chain case and the rear main seal bolt to the crankcase?
    These joints have a tiny chamfer on the edge and if they are not sealed with DreiBond 1209 (3 Bond 1209) or equivalent you will get oil leaks from these joints.
    You can also get oil leaks from the valve cover gasket if you don't put RTV sealant on the 8 sharp corners where the half moon parts of the gasket fit into the head.
    Since the engine is tilted to the back and to the right any oil leaks from the VCG will end up in the lower RH front or rear corners of the block.
    I hope this helps.
    RonR

    99 528iT M52TU 5HP19
    RHD Euro Spec

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