Oil leak worse after OFHG & VCG replacement

bloppitybloop · 09-09-2015, 12:12 PM

I got my VCG and OFHG replaced about a month ago by a local indy shop. The leak wasn't very noticeable on my garage floor before I took it in, but there were a few spots.

It looks like the car has been leaking worse since I got it back as there are now much larger spots on my garage floor. And last week (which was about 4 weeks after the OFHG & VCG were replaced) my oil indicator level was halfway between MIN and MAX.

Does it sound like the repair wasn't done correctly or is just coincidence that this leak started occurring after the repair was done? Should the shop offer to take a look at their work and make sure it was done correctly?

Ask92 · 09-09-2015, 12:15 PM

Did the shop diagnose the leak coming from the VCG and OFHG or did you tell them to replace them? If the shop told you thats where it was leaking from bring it back to them and tell them that was not the source of the leak and tell them to find and fix the leak(on their dime). If you told them what to replace then bring it back and tell them to find and fix the leak(On your dime)

bloppitybloop · 09-09-2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ask92

Did the shop diagnose the leak coming from the VCG and OFHG or did you tell them to replace them? If the shop told you thats where it was leaking from bring it back to them and tell them that was not the source of the leak and tell them to find and fix the leak(on their dime). If you told them what to replace then bring it back and tell them to find and fix the leak(On your dime)

So I was told by the dealership that the OFHG needed to be replaced awhile back and while changing my spark plugs a few months back, I found some oil in cylinder #2 so I did some research and it appeared to be the VCG.

After they replaced them, they said that they did need to be replaced and I was right.

Cloud9blue · 09-09-2015, 12:48 PM

It is possible that they pinched the VCG while installed them. That thing takes some patience to get it seated right, and will leak if they rush the job.

Honestly, for this type of work, do it yourself if you want it done right. All you need is some basic mechanic tools and a free day during the weekend.

bloppitybloop · 09-09-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

It is possible that they pinched the VCG while installed them. That thing takes some patience to get it seated right, and will leak if they rush the job.

Honestly, for this type of work, do it yourself if you want it done right. All you need is some basic mechanic tools and a free day during the weekend.

I've done more on this car than I have on any previous car I've owned but I don't know that I'm ready to do this yet.

aeilers · 09-09-2015, 04:58 PM

The valve cover themselves tend to crack with miles and age. Its a good chance the cover cracked during torquing during installation or was already cracked and thats why you still have a leak.

N54Society · 09-09-2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeilers

The valve cover themselves tend to crack with miles and age. Its a good chance the cover cracked during torquing during installation or was already cracked and thats why you still have a leak.

I'm with you. I also believe the valve cover was likely not replaced and probably has a crack in it.

snayko · 09-09-2015, 08:24 PM

Just ask your indy what sealant they were using during VCG and OFHG and you'll find out interesting things.

Zach335i · 09-09-2015, 10:09 PM

It could definitely be your oil pan gasket. Mine has been leaking horribly. Luckily I found a shop to do it for only $350, which was a steal. So I had them put new motor mounts on as well

gds52 · 09-09-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

It is possible that they pinched the VCG while installed them. That thing takes some patience to get it seated right, and will leak if they rush the job.

Honestly, for this type of work, do it yourself if you want it done right. All you need is some basic mechanic tools and a free day during the weekend.

This ^^
My car's VCG got pinched by the shop who did it and it kept leaking.
The mechanic felt bad about it and of course they fixed it by replacing it with another new VCG. This seems to be the issue in your case.

bloppitybloop · 09-10-2015, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I'll email the shop and see if they will take a look at it.

lichtgelb · 09-10-2015, 07:51 AM

Could be the oil pan gasket. The VCG, OFHG, and Oil Pan gasket tend to fail around the same time. Oil pan will tend to leak at the engine/bell housing interface. It can look like a rear main seal has failed but more often it's the oil pan gasket.

nofearzz · 09-10-2015, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lichtgelb

Could be the oil pan gasket. The VCG, OFHG, and Oil Pan gasket tend to fail around the same time. Oil pan will tend to leak at the engine/bell housing interface. It can look like a rear main seal has failed but more often it's the oil pan gasket.

+1 on this, I replaced every oil related gasket, not believing a oil pan gasket could leak and finally replaced it and no more oil leaks, and all gaskets failed about the same time.(80Kmi) Cost around $4K at a indy b4 I was oil leak free. I got a break at $700. for the oil pan gasket, which is a nasty job.

bloppitybloop · 10-08-2015, 07:44 AM

So I took the car back to the shop and they replaced the VCG again, free of charge. They said a piece of it was folded over/pinched on the first install. After one day, I haven't noticed any oil leaking so I think it's leak free now - at least I hope.

patents · 10-08-2015, 09:59 AM

Glad you got it fixed. For future reference, I believe the valve cover bolts are aluminum and prone to breakage. It's recommended that the bolts be changed out as well and accurately torqued to spec. An over-torqued bolt can break can cause a leak.

Antetokounmpo · 10-08-2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reckedhim

So I took the car back to the shop and they replaced the VCG again, free of charge. They said a piece of it was folded over/pinched on the first install. After one day, I haven't noticed any oil leaking so I think it's leak free now - at least I hope.

Which indy did you go to? Feel free to PM me if you don't feel comfortable telling everyone.

fravel · 10-08-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patents

Glad you got it fixed. For future reference, I believe the valve cover bolts are aluminum and prone to breakage. It's recommended that the bolts be changed out as well and accurately torqued to spec. An over-torqued bolt can break can cause a leak.

That's only on the early N52's. OP has an N54 and thus, steel bolts - only needs replacement if there is a problem with the old ones.

BeastMode335i · 10-15-2015, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fravel

That's only on the early N52's. OP has an N54 and thus, steel bolts - only needs replacement if there is a problem with the old ones.

Nice, so when I do my valve cover this weekend I can reuse the old bolts with no issues..?? Seems many replace them, maybe they are unaware that they're steel..

fravel · 10-15-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Nice, so when I do my valve cover this weekend I can reuse the old bolts with no issues..?? Seems many replace them, maybe they are unaware that they're steel..

I mean, you'll need to inspect your bolts and make that decision yourself. It certainly wouldn't hurt to replace them, but it's not a requirement like it is for people with the aluminum bolts.

ajaye · 10-15-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Nice, so when I do my valve cover this weekend I can reuse the old bolts with no issues..?? Seems many replace them, maybe they are unaware that they're steel..

You can definitely reuse them if they are not damaged. Just make sure the threads are not fouled with engine oil before reinstalling, same with the holes, as this can easily result in over-torquing on re-installation, leading to more issues.

BeastMode335i · 10-15-2015, 09:18 AM

True, thanks for the tip... I'm now on the fence of replacing other gaskets while I'm in there.. Oil Cooler and such...

ajaye · 10-15-2015, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

True, thanks for the tip... I'm now on the fence of replacing other gaskets while I'm in there.. Oil Cooler and such...

Well I have an N52 but I'll say this, I did my OFHG first. It caused a noticeable increase in the leaking I had in the VCG immediately. I also suspect that the VCG leak was responsible, at least in part, for the bank 2 upstream O2 sensor failing, although my washer fluid filler neck also had a pinhole leak so I can't know which one may have done that sensor in for sure or if both played a part. After replacing the VCG (and the valve cover itself), my oil pan gasket is now leaking noticeably worse. Your results may vary...I'd say do as much as you have the time and the means to do at once though.

09-09-2015, 12:12 PM	#1
bloppitybloop Major 393 Rep 1,371 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	Oil leak worse after OFHG & VCG replacement I got my VCG and OFHG replaced about a month ago by a local indy shop. The leak wasn't very noticeable on my garage floor before I took it in, but there were a few spots. It looks like the car has been leaking worse since I got it back as there are now much larger spots on my garage floor. And last week (which was about 4 weeks after the OFHG & VCG were replaced) my oil indicator level was halfway between MIN and MAX. Does it sound like the repair wasn't done correctly or is just coincidence that this leak started occurring after the repair was done? Should the shop offer to take a look at their work and make sure it was done correctly?
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09-09-2015, 12:48 PM	#4
Cloud9blue Brigadier General 711 Rep 3,251 Posts Drives: around the potholes Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NY/NJ/MA iTrader: (13)	It is possible that they pinched the VCG while installed them. That thing takes some patience to get it seated right, and will leak if they rush the job. Honestly, for this type of work, do it yourself if you want it done right. All you need is some basic mechanic tools and a free day during the weekend. __________________ 09 BMW E92 335i: Top Mount EFR 7670 / Dinan / AP Racing / Wavetrac / TC Kline [Full Mod List] 07 BMW R1200S: Shine Yellow / Akrapovic / Ohlins 19 Volvo V90 T6: R-Design / Bowers & Wilkins / Polestar Optimization
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09-09-2015, 04:58 PM	#6
aeilers Private 12 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (1)	The valve cover themselves tend to crack with miles and age. Its a good chance the cover cracked during torquing during installation or was already cracked and thats why you still have a leak.
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09-09-2015, 08:24 PM	#8
snayko Private First Class 34 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	Just ask your indy what sealant they were using during VCG and OFHG and you'll find out interesting things.
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09-09-2015, 10:09 PM	#9
Zach335i Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina iTrader: (0)	It could definitely be your oil pan gasket. Mine has been leaking horribly. Luckily I found a shop to do it for only $350, which was a steal. So I had them put new motor mounts on as well
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09-09-2015, 12:15 PM	#2
Ask92 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 335i, Supra Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Rocklin, CA iTrader: (0)	Did the shop diagnose the leak coming from the VCG and OFHG or did you tell them to replace them? If the shop told you thats where it was leaking from bring it back to them and tell them that was not the source of the leak and tell them to find and fix the leak(on their dime). If you told them what to replace then bring it back and tell them to find and fix the leak(On your dime)
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09-10-2015, 07:45 AM	#11
bloppitybloop Major 393 Rep 1,371 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the responses everyone. I'll email the shop and see if they will take a look at it.
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09-10-2015, 07:51 AM	#12
lichtgelb Lieutenant 107 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Flyover Country iTrader: (0)	Could be the oil pan gasket. The VCG, OFHG, and Oil Pan gasket tend to fail around the same time. Oil pan will tend to leak at the engine/bell housing interface. It can look like a rear main seal has failed but more often it's the oil pan gasket.
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10-08-2015, 07:44 AM	#14
bloppitybloop Major 393 Rep 1,371 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (1)	So I took the car back to the shop and they replaced the VCG again, free of charge. They said a piece of it was folded over/pinched on the first install. After one day, I haven't noticed any oil leaking so I think it's leak free now - at least I hope.
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10-08-2015, 09:59 AM	#15
patents Lieutenant 164 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	Glad you got it fixed. For future reference, I believe the valve cover bolts are aluminum and prone to breakage. It's recommended that the bolts be changed out as well and accurately torqued to spec. An over-torqued bolt can break can cause a leak.
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10-15-2015, 09:18 AM	#21
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	True, thanks for the tip... I'm now on the fence of replacing other gaskets while I'm in there.. Oil Cooler and such... __________________ F30 335i Melbourne Red Metallic M-Sport Package
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