11-09-2020, 08:46 AM | #1 |
Registered
0
Rep 2
Posts |
rear engine oil seal leak or other source??
have a 2014 X3 sport 6CYL, only has 50,000 miles and gently driven by my wife
We are seeing oil dripping from the back underside of the engine, the mechanic (non BMW garage) is guessing it is the rear engine oil seal. Could this be a valve cover or CPV valve leak? I cannot find any other common problem like this, hoping it's not a rear engine oil seal. |
11-09-2020, 12:04 PM | #2 |
Major
627
Rep 1,046
Posts
Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2012 X3 Xdrive35
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Moraga, California
|
Often it is the valve cover or the oil pan. I changed my valve cover which solved my leak.
__________________
2016 Z06 Vette, 10.53@132
1984 Vette, 406, 10.23@131 2021 SQ5 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2020, 01:01 PM | #3 | |
Captain
283
Rep 888
Posts
Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Edmonton
|
Quote:
- Valve Cover - Oil pan - Oil Filter Housing The valve cover gasket usually leaks between 40-80,000 miles, depending on many things. It usually fails at the back corner (passenger side) and drips down onto the exhaust. You'll smell burning and sometimes see smoke. Less likely is the oil pan gasket, usually lasts longer, it's a different kind of gasket. Even more less likely for the mileage but possible is a PCV valve failure. This will create a howling noise because pressure ends up being released through the front and rear main seals with a failed valve. The valve usually won't fail until well after 60k miles though and you'll hear the howling before the seal is damaged to the point it needs replacing. This is what usually will cause a rear main seal to fail on these engines. So in summary, check your VCG and OPG first, it's probably the VCG, mileage is right for it to fail. Easy job, but lots comes off. Here's mine after removing the valve cover, for reference on how much gets pulled. If you get the valve cover gasket done, ONLY use Mahle or BMW (Mahle makes them for BMW, so it's the same product regardless of which of those two you buy). Also consider replacing the valve cover. They eventually crack due to heat cycling and the PCV issue above happens maybe around 100k miles give or take, and the PCV is built into the valve cover. The JB Speed cover off Amazon, based on user reviews in N55 Facebook groups, appears to be OEM sold under a different name, and significantly less $$.
__________________
2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap | Flat Black Grilles |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-19-2023, 06:44 AM | #4 | |
Brigadier General
1616
Rep 3,958
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-20-2023, 09:27 PM | #5 |
Private First Class
65
Rep 195
Posts
Drives: BMW,Tesla, etc.
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cincinnati, OH
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-05-2023, 08:20 AM | #6 | |
Brigadier General
1616
Rep 3,958
Posts |
Quote:
However, the howling sound seems to be coming from the radiator fan. We're at 137,000 miles at this point... a lot of projects coming up for this vehicle. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|