**The E46 common oil/coolant/fluid leaks w/ pics and part numbers thread**

Originally Posted by Nervous

Disagree with what? Actually you agreed I had a very similar drops issue and oil pan gasket fixed it.

Yes, but it's not the oil pan most of the time. The rear main seal actually leaks pretty often on these cars. I know the oil pan does as well. But I posted the picture to show what a leaking rear main seal can look like. That may not be what's leaking in that picture, but that's what it looks like when one does leak.

Originally Posted by Nervous

A couple of my pics related to the topic.

Did you lower the subframe in your garage without a lift to get to the oil pan? I hate dropping subframes without a lift...

No need lift:

This is an engine support bar from Harbor Freight, $60.

No need to completely remove subframe either, just need to lower it enough to remove/install the oil pan:

yeah, thats what I said, lower it. Hmmm, didn't realize the engine support was that cheap. I got my engine stand from there, might end up getting that support. I'll do my oil pan and rear main at work on the lift, but I think I'll buy the support just to have it.

Coming back to rear main seal - if you don't have transmission off yet you can't say for sure it is leaking. I'd recommend to replace the oil pan gasket and test it first.

I've done enough of them, I know they leak. Mine very well could be the oil pan. I'll inspect it more when I eventually take the oil pan off. But mine barely leaks so I'm not all that worried about it right now

Originally Posted by neil1138

The E46 is leaking oil pretty badly right now. I know it's the oil filter housing gasket, just need time to replace it.

Come on now, that is pretty easy to replace!

Thank you for a good write up.

If you can add Transmission shifter selector shaft seal for manual trans would be great.

Originally Posted by Blocked Out

Thank you for a good write up.

If you can add Transmission shifter selector shaft seal for manual trans would be great.

Yup. Will work on adding tomorrow morning.

It's good to know that if you have any one of these leaks, you definitely know it. I keep my engine bay very clean, so I believe I'd notice any of these fairly quickly. The leaks look like they will leave a lot of residue should it happen.

Originally Posted by Zell

It's good to know that if you have any one of these leaks, you definitely know it. I keep my engine bay very clean, so I believe I'd notice any of these fairly quickly. The leaks look like they will leave a lot of residue should it happen.

Yeah they are fairly simple and easy to spot

Originally Posted by Nervous

No need lift:

This is an engine support bar from Harbor Freight, $60.

so thats how that thing sets up, was looking at that on the site and was trying to figure out how it mounts.

This thread needs a sticky...

Originally Posted by Miko_10

This thread needs a sticky...

Trans pan leak added. Couldn't find decent pics for it...if anyone has a pic or 2, let me know.

diff output seals added.

updated

Diff cover added

Awesome post op!! Learned alot

Awesome thread, I think two of the pics in the OP's original post are from threads of my leaky E46 lol! My car has come a long way from those days, it's threads like this that really help newbies to solve problems on their own. Nice Work!!

Originally Posted by jasonbimmer

FYI, the PS reservoir has an o-ring on the cap and it become leaky when old.
if your reservoir is coated in PS fluid, replace the o-ring.
PN: 32411128333

Ive never seen a clean one so I always assumed that was normal