Oil leak source '12 X3

pin2 · 04-08-2024, 01:57 PM

Greetings everyone,

Yesterday as I was driving home, I encountered a strong smell of burning oil. Upon arriving home, I opened the hood and observed oil pooling where the valve cover gasket connects to the engine body. However, upon closer inspection, I believe the leak isn't originating from there; rather, it seems the oil is collecting in that area. After removing the vanity cover, I noticed oil present in various spots on top of the valve cover, particularly between the 3rd and 5th spark plug locations.

Any suggestion where to start the car has 96K and I had the valve cover gasket replaced at 60K from a previous oil leak.

pin2

GORDON.M3 · 04-13-2024, 08:08 PM

even though you replaced the gasket, it could be a cracked valve cover. Even if you replace the gasket, the VC could be still leaking.

Hellshalfacre · 04-15-2024, 08:59 PM

It looks as though the leak is coming from your valvetronic motor seal. It's very easy to remove and replace the seal. Plenty of info online. Hope you get it sorted out.

pin2 · 04-17-2024, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellshalfacre

It looks as though the leak is coming from your valvetronic motor seal. It's very easy to remove and replace the seal. Plenty of info online. Hope you get it sorted out.

Yup I started with that and replaced the gasket it looks like it might be the reason because I cleaned a lot of oil between #3 and 4 coil housing.

04-08-2024, 01:57 PM	#1
pin2 New Member 9 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X3 28i xDrive F25-N52 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Richmond,VA iTrader: (0)	Oil leak source '12 X3 Greetings everyone, Yesterday as I was driving home, I encountered a strong smell of burning oil. Upon arriving home, I opened the hood and observed oil pooling where the valve cover gasket connects to the engine body. However, upon closer inspection, I believe the leak isn't originating from there; rather, it seems the oil is collecting in that area. After removing the vanity cover, I noticed oil present in various spots on top of the valve cover, particularly between the 3rd and 5th spark plug locations. Any suggestion where to start the car has 96K and I had the valve cover gasket replaced at 60K from a previous oil leak. pin2 Attached Images
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04-13-2024, 08:08 PM	#2
GORDON.M3 Brigadier General 1423 Rep 3,002 Posts Drives: E92 M3 • F25 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LAX/YYZ/NRT iTrader: (11)	even though you replaced the gasket, it could be a cracked valve cover. Even if you replace the gasket, the VC could be still leaking. __________________ INSTAGRAM: GORDON.M3 North American Mr12Volt Carplay/Android Auto Distributor DINAN \| EVOSPORT \| VAC \| ARP \| RD SPORT \| NEEZ \| EIBACH \| CSF \| IND \| BILSTEIN \| KLASSEN \| BREMBO \| ENDLESS \| BBS \| BPM SPORT \| PROJECT MU \| EVENTURI
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04-15-2024, 08:59 PM	#3
Hellshalfacre Nothin to see here 48 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 sdrive28i, 2011 E88 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	It looks as though the leak is coming from your valvetronic motor seal. It's very easy to remove and replace the seal. Plenty of info online. Hope you get it sorted out.
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