[Matt_335i-1]

Hi all,
I changed my oil about 2-3 weeks ago and when I did that I saw an oil leak. I cleaned all the oil out really well. Last night I got under the car again and saw the oil leak again. I brought it to a dealership for an inspection and they told me they had to replace the oil pan gasket. Total cost with labor and parts is $1,400.
The car isn't leaking onto the floor or anything it's just a small drops of oil on the plastic panel under the car. Is it worth paying the 1,400 dollars just for a small oil leak or just add some more oil more often?

[N54Twin]

Originally Posted by Matt_335i-1

Hi all,
I changed my oil about 2-3 weeks ago and when I did that I saw an oil leak. I cleaned all the oil out really well. Last night I got under the car again and saw the oil leak again. I brought it to a dealership for an inspection and they told me they had to replace the oil pan gasket. Total cost with labor and parts is $1,400.
The car isn't leaking onto the floor or anything it's just a small drops of oil on the plastic panel under the car. Is it worth paying the 1,400 dollars just for a small oil leak or just add some more oil more often?

Might be VCG check the top of the engine, the shield left side.


Oil change, had oil all over my pan so used my zepp degreaser and clean everything up.

That was like a 2 month ago and is looking the same way i was before.

And i have a VCG leak.

[tlow98]

Not worth 1400$ imo

[mweisdorfer]

I did this DIY in June. You will need a buddy to help you put the oil pan back into place. You will also need a small torque wrench and an Engine Support Bar.

It takes about 8 hours to complete this DIY.

It absolutely looks like the oil pan gasket is leaking. I agree with the above poster in that you should check the Valve Cover gasket, especially on the firewall side. you need to use a mirror with a light on it. Craftsman makes one.

Search this forum for DIY's you will find a few. I had a nice write up, if your interested.

The only oil leak you'll probably have to pay for is the Rear Main Seal.

[cybermgm23]

In april the dealer did my VCG, OFHG and OPG all in one shot. $4500 worth of work, Cost me $50 bc of extended warranty.

[arlovarri]

I had a oil pan gasket leak at 130k because many of the bolts holding the pan on were extremely loose, like not even finger tight. I noticed because of drops on the floor and the engine above the gasket line was extremely clean. I just tightened up the bolts using a universal joint socket and an open end wrench for a couple of the hard to reach ones. It's possible to reach every bolt with a little patience. Solved my problem completely. Long term I might need a new gasket, but for now I'm just planning to monitor the situation and will check the bolts every 6 months or so.

[Matt_335i-1]

Originally Posted by arlovarri

I had a oil pan gasket leak at 130k because many of the bolts holding the pan on were extremely loose, like not even finger tight. I noticed because of drops on the floor and the engine above the gasket line was extremely clean. I just tightened up the bolts using a universal joint socket and an open end wrench for a couple of the hard to reach ones. It's possible to reach every bolt with a little patience. Solved my problem completely. Long term I might need a new gasket, but for now I'm just planning to monitor the situation and will check the bolts every 6 months or so.

Yeah I think that the bolts are loose on mine but I didn't check how tight they were when I was under the car so I will do that tomorrow. Thanks for all the feedback.-

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by arlovarri

I had a oil pan gasket leak at 130k because many of the bolts holding the pan on were extremely loose, like not even finger tight. I noticed because of drops on the floor and the engine above the gasket line was extremely clean. I just tightened up the bolts using a universal joint socket and an open end wrench for a couple of the hard to reach ones. It's possible to reach every bolt with a little patience. Solved my problem completely. Long term I might need a new gasket, but for now I'm just planning to monitor the situation and will check the bolts every 6 months or so.

Great advice.