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

Originally Posted by samson

pics went down. update available? :p

Sorry haven't checked this thread in a while. I need a better host for the pictures.

Anyone try this yet? Fluorescent Goo, might help ID a leak if you have one

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_artic...scent-goo.aspx

Originally Posted by 330ciandr6

Sorry haven't checked this thread in a while. I need a better host for the pictures.

any luck with replacing the down pics?

If I have time today I'll try and rehost them.

for the PS reservoir hose clamps, get one 07-12-9-952-109 and one 07-12-9-952-107 cuz one hose is smaller.

Great information for high mileage e46's thanks! OP

How about vanos gasket, front crank seal, and front timing cover gasket. (all rare, i'm sure)

Then there's the seal that goes on the engine cover under the oil cap. that circular one. Although I think that may be more for aesthetics than leaks.

Looks like I need to do that vanos line. mines a bit caked with oil residue but not outright leaking. And I didn't do it on purpose, but i've reused the vanos line crush washers 3x and they haven't leaked one drop. still bone dry around those. I'll get around to replacing them but they're just a bit tricky to track down once you've forgotten to order them. I'll wait til I have to order more parts so I can include those little guys. local dealer wants $3.50 each for the washers when they're online for 25 cents a pop...

7. Rear main seal
Usually on higher mileage cars as well. It leaks between where the transmission mounts to the engine. This is not an e46 but is what it looks like when a rear main seal leaks.

Part number needed:
Rear main seal kit: 11-14-1-438-274
Just the seal: 11-14-2-249-533
I recommend doing the kit as it comes with the mounting plate and the gasket for the plate. Its always better to replace it while you are in there. Plus if you do just the seal you have to make sure you have it seated flush when you install it. If you buy the kit, it comes seated in the housing already.

On the Rear Main Seal.... is that pretty obvious? I have had my mechanic look twice now with a lift and he cant find where the oil leak is coming from. This is after he sprayed the underside clean and I drove it a few days. I only notice a drop or two when I park the car. It does not keep dripping if it sets for a few days at a time. I just had the Oil Separator and attached hoses changed hoping that an old hose may be the culprit but no.

Originally Posted by CrazyOneToo

On the Rear Main Seal.... is that pretty obvious? I have had my mechanic look twice now with a lift and he cant find where the oil leak is coming from. This is after he sprayed the underside clean and I drove it a few days. I only notice a drop or two when I park the car. It does not keep dripping if it sets for a few days at a time. I just had the Oil Separator and attached hoses changed hoping that an old hose may be the culprit but no.

Have you checked the ofhg or vcg?

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Darksideracer

Have you checked the ofhg or vcg?

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Bimmer App

I had the Valve Cover Gasket changed out about a year ago. Guess it could be leaking but I see nothing like in the picture. As for the Oil Filter Housing Gasket ....idk. Shows in the pics that's a hard one to see without removing the housing. Its strange...it seems to only drip when first parked after a drive. If it was dripping while driving I'm sure the oil level would go down noticeably but the level is fine.

What area does the leak originate around?

Originally Posted by CrazyOneToo

I had the Valve Cover Gasket changed out about a year ago. Guess it could be leaking but I see nothing like in the picture. As for the Oil Filter Housing Gasket ....idk. Shows in the pics that's a hard one to see without removing the housing. Its strange...it seems to only drip when first parked after a drive. If it was dripping while driving I'm sure the oil level would go down noticeably but the level is fine.

Check your power steering fluid level also..

If it's the OFHG you will see oil behind the OFH under the intake manifold..

Originally Posted by 330ciandr6

What area does the leak originate around?

If your talking to me....I dont know. Thats the issue. From the bottom side we cant find where its running down from.

Originally Posted by zaharias

Check your power steering fluid level also..

If it's the OFHG you will see oil behind the OFH under the intake manifold..

Yeah it was wet around the PS fluid holder and a little low last week. I bought a new o-ring gasket for the cap. No more seepage now. As I looked around last night its a little wet at what I believe is the oil to vanos hose. I took both the engine covers off last night and it was dry around the shelf above the exhaust and everywhere else except for this vanos hose ....without taking any more parts off. My mechanic checked the vanos unit Monday (errors and codes) when he was replacing the oil separator and hoses and it showed to be working right. This vanos hose may be a different story tho. I didnt have him replace it.

UPDATE ...added some pics of leak after removing airbox

Power steering cooling lines from side view...

Power steering cooling lines from top view...

VANOS to Oil Filter Housing hose...

VANOS to Oil Filter Housing hose...

This is amazing! I'm surprised this is not Sticky'd yet!

Originally Posted by chris10492

This is amazing! I'm surprised this is not Sticky'd yet!

Wow this is a amazing thread. Great job.

Brilliant pics...thank you!

This weekend is oil and coolant leak day: oil seperator, hoses, clearing dipstick, oil filter housing gasket, vanos line, disa gasket, throttle body hoses boot, etc., water pump, thermostat gasket, thermostat, drive belt, power steering reservoir, air dist, coolant flush, oil change...and I THINK *fingers crossed* that's it.
Any truth to the transmission never needing to be flushed or have filter change? Mine is 2005 330i w/160K...

Originally Posted by E46Mango

How about vanos gasket, front crank seal, and front timing cover gasket. (all rare, i'm sure)

Then there's the seal that goes on the engine cover under the oil cap. that circular one. Although I think that may be more for aesthetics than leaks.

Looks like I need to do that vanos line. mines a bit caked with oil residue but not outright leaking. And I didn't do it on purpose, but i've reused the vanos line crush washers 3x and they haven't leaked one drop. still bone dry around those. I'll get around to replacing them but they're just a bit tricky to track down once you've forgotten to order them. I'll wait til I have to order more parts so I can include those little guys. local dealer wants $3.50 each for the washers when they're online for 25 cents a pop...

My new vanos line and washers just arrived.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/32411093596/ES258508/

wow sticky!

I have some pics i can add from my latest adventures