What can I do with my E38 leaks oil persistently?

[jgy2001]

My 1998 749iL only has 105K miles. Now since I retire, I typically putting around 20 to 30 miles per week, usually around town running errands.

The garage floor is constantly wet with oil, not a lot, but still I can see web spots, directly below the engine. I had paid quite a bit in the thousands few years before to fix it by my local mechanic. Now he said, if I want to pay another big bills to work on this leak, it will still starts leaking soon after. Please tell me I should just give up or find another good BMW mechanic in South SF bay area?

Obviously, the irritation are the dashboard LED segments going out. This is my 4th dashboard (all prior dashboards were replaced by BMW dealers while in warrenty).

[Oleh007]

First off, where is the oil leaking from? Can you see where it is dripping? Try inspecting it from underneath the car. You might need to remove the plastic cover to fully inspect it underneath the engine. We could try helping you by telling how tough it will be to repair and how much it will cost to repair. I think some people live near you so they might tell you more about their mechanics that they use.

[tomloans]

My 1998 749iL only has 105K miles. Now since I retire, I typically putting around 20 to 30 miles per week, usually around town running errands.

The garage floor is constantly wet with oil, not a lot, but still I can see web spots, directly below the engine. I had paid quite a bit in the thousands few years before to fix it by my local mechanic. Now he said, if I want to pay another big bills to work on this leak, it will still starts leaking soon after. Please tell me I should just give up or find another good BMW mechanic in South SF bay area?

Obviously, the irritation are the dashboard LED segments going out. This is my 4th dashboard (all prior dashboards were replaced by BMW dealers while in warrenty).

Try performance autowerks in Dublin, call Evan. He is a good guy. Most oil leaks r not difficult to repair. Shouldnt cost thousands.

[jgy2001]

Thanks. I am in South Bay area near San Jose.

Wish I do have access and look underneath the car. Anybody out there having similar problems?

[Johnljoseph]

I had a similar issue with my 1998 E38. These cars have a problem with leaky valve cover gaskets. That was part of my problem. Once I replaced the valve cover gasket (not an easy job but not insurmountable) The oil leak was resolved. On the driver's side there was also a power steering leak. That was simply a hose leaking where it was clamped to a metal line. A new hose clamp fixed that. Now there is no longer an oil leak.

[chris33]

Valve cover gaskets and upper timing cover gaskets are typically the culprit. Replace both.

[tomloans]

Jgy we have all had an oil leak or two or three. Unless the car has only 30k miles it will have an oil leak. It can be many items. Some of which has been mentioned. No way to tell until u examine the vehicle. Here r some possibles.

Oil pan
Oil level sender
Steering canister
Vanos solenoid seals
Valve cover gaskets
Upper timing cover gaskets
Steering system is big culprit... The hoses at the connections leak all the time. I have a leak currently. Lol

And there r other less likely suspects too.
U have to figure it out yourself or if u cant u will have to pay someone...

- - - Updated - - -

Check and see what the steering oil level is in the canister. If low then u may know one of the culprits. Steering hose connections and possibly steering hoses.

[jgy2001]

I have recent repair the power steering suction hose and pressure hose, etc, 8K miles ago, for over $400+.

Yes, I confirm I have engine valve cover & timing cover gasket leaking problem. Possible lower oil pan leaking too.

What is the typical cost of valve cover and timing cover gasket repair cost? The last repair does not seemed to last long. Say less than 20K miles ago. Does this sound righ to you?

[psjr]

I have recent repair the power steering suction hose and pressure hose, etc, 8K miles ago, for over $400+.

Yes, I confirm I have engine valve cover & timing cover gasket leaking problem. Possible lower oil pan leaking too.

What is the typical cost of valve cover and timing cover gasket repair cost? The last repair does not seemed to last long. Say less than 20K miles ago. Does this sound righ to you?

Parts for those are about $75.
Labor is just a couple hours.

[tomloans]

I have recent repair the power steering suction hose and pressure hose, etc, 8K miles ago, for over $400+.

Yes, I confirm I have engine valve cover & timing cover gasket leaking problem. Possible lower oil pan leaking too.

What is the typical cost of valve cover and timing cover gasket repair cost? The last repair does not seemed to last long. Say less than 20K miles ago. Does this sound righ to you?

A slight leak can start after 20k miles on the steering hoses. Mine is leaking now after about 25k miles. But not dripping to the ground.

[jgy2001]

Do you recommend somewhere else to get this done, while take a trip of vacation outside of expensive SF bay areas?

[tomloans]

Call Evan at 9255510154

[jgy2001]

Thanks tomloans,
But I cannot imagine Dublin costs any lower than San Jose. Likely probably higher. Don't you think so?
Since I am now retired and only depend on this car to run errands, performance is hardly my priority anymore.

Since now I have the time, I am willing to take a long road trip and get work done at the same time. Any suggestions for some place where great work & less cost compare to the bay areas? Thank you.

[MJSanDiego]

Say what?!?? What brand of power steering lines / hoses and crush washer and O-rings are you all putting on your BMWs? I can guarantee that genuine BMW power steering lines (from the BMW dealerships) are not going to leak after 20K miles!!! Sure, if you are putting on brands like URO, Febi, Meyle, Rein and other aftermarket junk. They are not the same, even though sites like Pelican and FCP Euro claim they are "OEM. It's a scam. I have compared BMW to aftermarket power steering lines side-by-side and you can see the difference in quality, fit and finish. You have to specify exactly what you mean, because this is not the case with genuine BMW power steering lines. They typically last 100K miles before sweating / leaking. I just spent $500 on all four power steering lines from BMW as well as the O-rings and crush washers (yes, the quality, weight and materials of the BMW O-rings and crush washers is NOT THE SAME as aftermarket if you compare side-by-side). The crush washers and 0-rings are more vital than anything. Why would you spend 50 cents on an aftermarket crush washer, when you drive a BMW. You spend the $2.68 for each BMW crush washer, unless you want leaks at 20K miles!!! It was a royal pain to install all 4 power steering lines, especially the "steering gear box to cooler" line. I can guarantee every premature problem is a result of not using genuine BMW products. You get what you pay for still applies today. Maybe I should start a new forum. Last week I compared a Corteco engine mount, supposedly they are made for BMW now, side by side with a genuine BMW engine mount, and I was blown away. The Corteco is complete garbage. It looked just like the stuff you get on eBay, no name brands, horrible quality, fit and finish. You get what you pay for!

[RHP]

The previous response was excellent information and I concur completely. The only thing I would add is this, before you take it to have the problem diagnosed make sure you thoroughly clean the entire bottom of the vehicle. This means putting it up in a lift and carefully power washing so that you can properly diagnose the situation. Otherwise, the oil dirt grit and grime spread everywhere making it harder to determine the source leak.

[clarkitect]

This thread is from 2016 and OP has left the building.