Member
Looks like I have an oil leak on the drivers side of the engine behind and above the alternator. Still cleaning that area and I'll try spray foot powder and baby powder to try and locate the leak. Any ideas what could be causing my leak ? Its not the VCG. Its real hard to see that area. I don't have a lift, just the drivers side raised up.
Thanks.
Member
Uppertiming or Vanos
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Haynes740
+1Originally Posted by Zedbimmer
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2001 740iL Guides,chains,vanos done. Full steptronic retrofit,3:15 diff. DUDMD tune. Sport seat retrofit. Porn lights
[IMG][/IMG]
Nitto ZR 285/40/18 rear 245/45/18 fr. UUC springs front. Porn lights. Sport wheel
1991 735iL UUC springs front only Style 42 wheels
Member
Thanks for the reply. Its not upper timing or vanos solinoid. Its something above and behind the alt. Maybe upper oil pan gasket? Maybe power steering lines. Hard to tell between oil and power steering fluid. Anybody have luck with using die?
Mad Bimmerist
BMW CCA Member
Years ago, I called a buddy of mine who is BMW Tech with years of experience. I was alarmed when I called him. Convo went kinda like:
Me: Hi, my car is leaking oil!!!
Him: Okay, what's wrong with it?
Me: Huh? It's leaking oil man!
Him: Yeah, I heard you. But what's wrong with the car?
Me: What do you mean, what's wrong with the car? I told you, it's leaking oil!
Him: Yeah, they do that - so what's wrong with the car?
LOL! Hope you got a chuckle.
For your car, can you discern if it's engine oil or ATF (Red like oil)? Sadly, the power steering all just about all BMWs are prone to leak eventually. See if you can get to the oil with a clean rag and try to see if it has a reddish hue at all. If so, it is likely the high pressure PS lines down there.
If it is oil, I would check the lower portion of the Valve Covers and the Rear of them as well to be sure it's not leaking from the 1/2 moons at the back - part of the block cast I believe.
While there, also check the SAP hose and O rings that go into the block around that area.
Member
Yeah I did get a chuckle. The car just turned 190K, finished the valley pan, and now going for the oil leak. Not driving the car for a while so its a good time to get under it. What is the SAP hose? No signs of timing chain guides yet. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the reply.
Mad Bimmerist
BMW CCA Member
SAP - Secondary Airpump
Member
Its not hard to tell between power steering fluid and engine oil. Power steering fluid is ATF which is a pretty strong red color. I would do a good clean of the entire engine back to front, drive the car a few miles and let it sit. Get a mirror and a flashlight and start taking your time to look. Also run your fingers on the bottom side of the Valve cover. This spot is near impossible to see. Up and behind the alternator is the upper timing cover, valve cover, VANOS, and all your power steering lines that are prone to leaking. No mention of you ever doing the VCG, at 190 it would be an absolute miracle to not have them be leaking.
BMW 7er Website www.7er.com
1989 BMW 735i Schwarz (sadly, sold) // 1989 BMW 750iL Cirrusblau Metallic // 1998 BMW 740iL Oxfordgrün Metallic // 2000 M5 Carbon Schwarz ///
Member
My mechanic said essentially the same to me. Now, granted my car did have a lot of leaking hoses and the VANOS gaskets needed to be replaced when I got it -- those all got fixed. I have some sort of leak now (valve cover and/or valley pan); My mechanic's advice to me was "we will watch it; as these cars always leak".
Keep an eye on it. As long as the leak isn't dripping (or streaming) onto the hot exhaust parts, you may find it easier to live with it until you can combine the labor for the fix with other critical fixes the engine may need.
Member
Thanks for the reply's . I did replace the VCG's and I can feel with my hand that its not the problem. Leak is below the exhaust and yes I may have to live with it. White powder on everything and I'm still looking.
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