Oil leak from front of engine

E36Racer · 12-01-2015, 07:45 AM

Before starting a flame suit, I did search and came up with nothing but oil caps and valve covers. Neither of which are my issue.

So I changed my oil last weekend and noticed that there were 3 drips on the garage floor. When I jacked up the car to change it a puddle poured (about 2 ounces) from the aluminum pan under the engine, so I pulled it to clean and inspect (also pulled the plastic undertray). The leak is coming from the front of the engine and running down to where the front sump is. Nothing appears to be leaking from the top (everything is clean, the valve cover, front of the head and the oil filter housing) and I can't see anything past the oil pan bolts from the bottom (which also had oil dripping from the bolt heads).

The car is an '08 with 95k and this leak must have developed very recently. Are the S65's known for leaky oil filter housings like the S52 and S54 can be? Any ideas what this could be? Really pisses me off because my car is pristine and I like to keep it that way. Oil leaks in particular are a pet peeve.

Thanks!

DSilk · 12-01-2015, 07:52 AM

It could be the oil filter housing. If the seal is old or perished (or improperly installed) oil can drip out from there. Are you certain that it's engine oil, as opposed to (say) power steering fluid? Both the pump (and its attending hoses) and the steering rack are up front.

thekurgan · 12-01-2015, 08:12 AM

Get some UV dye and a UV flashlight and run it for a few days and you'll pinpoint it much easier.

FWIW, it might be the front crankshaft seal as well.

jester17 · 12-01-2015, 08:12 AM

Did you replace the old crush ring with a new one?

E36Racer · 12-01-2015, 08:17 AM

I'll look into getting some UV dye and a light. Sure hope it's not the front crank seal. I've never heard of them going bad.

Yes I replaced the crush ring on the plugs and o rings on the filter cap.

jphughan · 12-01-2015, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36Racer

I'll look into getting some UV dye and a light. Sure hope it's not the front crank seal. I've never heard of them going bad.

Yes I replaced the crush ring on the plugs and o rings on the filter cap.

I haven't heard of front crank seals going bad on the E9x M3, but they definitely went bad on the E46, and my wife's R56 Cooper S sprang a leak from there recently too.

IL8Apex · 12-01-2015, 09:36 PM

I don't mean to insult your intelligence but could it be the DCT seals that are leaking? Very common problem.

E36Racer · 12-02-2015, 08:24 AM

No DCT seals, it's a 6mt. Plus it definitely is motor oil

thekurgan · 12-02-2015, 02:58 PM

Crank seal in the front is rare until mileage gets up there. There aren't many places for oil to seep in the front. Many times, it's the valve cover bolts and oil cap disguising. The UV will tell all.

BzsBimmer · 12-02-2015, 08:27 PM

I'd agree with using tracing dye however if you bought this car recently, would you know if someone accidentally missed the oil spout and that's what you're seeing?
Is the oil black or golden in color (new oil)

anom3 · 12-03-2015, 04:36 AM

I'll second this, from personal experience:

The first time I sucked out some oil from the filter housing I ended up spilling a good amount. It ended up at the front of the oil pan.

Months later when I did my rod bearing swap, the shop called and said I have a leak as there is some oil there. I confirmed with them that it was my doing rather then a real leak.

But all in all, I think the dye will be the best route to take. Fiarly cheap and effective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

I'd agree with using tracing dye however if you bought this car recently, would you know if someone accidentally missed the oil spout and that's what you're seeing?
Is the oil black or golden in color (new oil)

E36Racer · 12-03-2015, 09:27 AM

I've had the car for about 7 months and it literally just started in the last couple weeks. I'm going to see if I can get a better look with a mirror this weekend. If not go the dye route. Hoping it's not the oil filter housing gasket. It requires removal of the balancer to get at one of the bolts, and supposedly a special tool is needed to get the balancer off. I sure do miss the simplicity of working on my E36. I'm actually really shocked at 95k it has a leak, and said leak is not a valvecover gasket.

12-01-2015, 07:45 AM	#1
E36Racer Haters gonna hate 15 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, 1998 M3, 2011 328xi Join Date: May 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Oil leak from front of engine Before starting a flame suit, I did search and came up with nothing but oil caps and valve covers. Neither of which are my issue. So I changed my oil last weekend and noticed that there were 3 drips on the garage floor. When I jacked up the car to change it a puddle poured (about 2 ounces) from the aluminum pan under the engine, so I pulled it to clean and inspect (also pulled the plastic undertray). The leak is coming from the front of the engine and running down to where the front sump is. Nothing appears to be leaking from the top (everything is clean, the valve cover, front of the head and the oil filter housing) and I can't see anything past the oil pan bolts from the bottom (which also had oil dripping from the bolt heads). The car is an '08 with 95k and this leak must have developed very recently. Are the S65's known for leaky oil filter housings like the S52 and S54 can be? Any ideas what this could be? Really pisses me off because my car is pristine and I like to keep it that way. Oil leaks in particular are a pet peeve. Thanks!
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12-01-2015, 07:52 AM	#2
DSilk Major 550 Rep 1,148 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Jaguar XJ [0.00] 2015 Jaguar XF [0.00] 2014 VW GTI [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 Coupe [0.00] 2007 VW Passat 2.0T [0.00]	It could be the oil filter housing. If the seal is old or perished (or improperly installed) oil can drip out from there. Are you certain that it's engine oil, as opposed to (say) power steering fluid? Both the pump (and its attending hoses) and the steering rack are up front.
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12-01-2015, 08:12 AM	#3
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Get some UV dye and a UV flashlight and run it for a few days and you'll pinpoint it much easier. FWIW, it might be the front crankshaft seal as well. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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12-01-2015, 08:12 AM	#4
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Did you replace the old crush ring with a new one?
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12-01-2015, 08:17 AM	#5
E36Racer Haters gonna hate 15 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, 1998 M3, 2011 328xi Join Date: May 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	I'll look into getting some UV dye and a light. Sure hope it's not the front crank seal. I've never heard of them going bad. Yes I replaced the crush ring on the plugs and o rings on the filter cap.
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12-01-2015, 09:36 PM	#7
IL8Apex Private First Class 12 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3, 1999 E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (7)	I don't mean to insult your intelligence but could it be the DCT seals that are leaking? Very common problem. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 / DCT / AW / Black Extended / Akrapovic Evolution / BPM Engine+DCT Tune / Dinan Stage I + Camber Plates / HRE C20 / Valentine One by Alekshop
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12-02-2015, 08:24 AM	#8
E36Racer Haters gonna hate 15 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, 1998 M3, 2011 328xi Join Date: May 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	No DCT seals, it's a 6mt. Plus it definitely is motor oil
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12-02-2015, 02:58 PM	#9
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Crank seal in the front is rare until mileage gets up there. There aren't many places for oil to seep in the front. Many times, it's the valve cover bolts and oil cap disguising. The UV will tell all. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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12-02-2015, 08:27 PM	#10
BzsBimmer Major General 3274 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	I'd agree with using tracing dye however if you bought this car recently, would you know if someone accidentally missed the oil spout and that's what you're seeing? Is the oil black or golden in color (new oil)
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12-03-2015, 09:27 AM	#12
E36Racer Haters gonna hate 15 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, 1998 M3, 2011 328xi Join Date: May 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	I've had the car for about 7 months and it literally just started in the last couple weeks. I'm going to see if I can get a better look with a mirror this weekend. If not go the dye route. Hoping it's not the oil filter housing gasket. It requires removal of the balancer to get at one of the bolts, and supposedly a special tool is needed to get the balancer off. I sure do miss the simplicity of working on my E36. I'm actually really shocked at 95k it has a leak, and said leak is not a valvecover gasket.
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