Pls. Help Me Identify Oil Leak

pmagloir · 10-07-2012, 07:32 PM

Greetings,

I just saw a poodle of oil in my garage and identified it as oil. I warmed up the car and looked around to see where it was coming from and it appears to be coming from the VCG, between the half moons. Car is 2004 330 Ci with 70k, and according to previous maintenance records, VCG and grommets were replaced at 60K by an indy mechanic. Please see picture below. Am I right to assume that I need to replace the VCG? I thank you in advance for your responses to this post.

Acrono · 10-10-2012, 05:09 AM

Not sure, but possibly valve cover gasket?

E46705 · 11-17-2012, 11:08 AM

Did you ever find the source of the leak?

Perhaps someone can chime in and identify the source of the oil leak from the pics? i attached a pic too. 330i.

Thanks

spennI · 11-19-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46705

Did you ever find the source of the leak?

Perhaps someone can chime in and identify the source of the oil leak from the pics? i attached a pic too. 330i.

Thanks

It's your Oil Filter Housing Gasket (OFHG) not the VCG. The VCG normally leaks on the passenger side near the firewall. There are several DIYs on this website about OFHG replacement.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=519743

spennI · 11-19-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmagloir

Greetings,

I just saw a poodle of oil in my garage and identified it as oil. I warmed up the car and looked around to see where it was coming from and it appears to be coming from the VCG, between the half moons. Car is 2004 330 Ci with 70k, and according to previous maintenance records, VCG and grommets were replaced at 60K by an indy mechanic. Please see picture below. Am I right to assume that I need to replace the VCG? I thank you in advance for your responses to this post.

Looks like your camshaft position sensor (intake side). This site has a DIY on the main DIY page for this replacement/leak fix. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=519743

E46705 · 12-01-2012, 01:01 AM

Here is what my leak looks like on the garage floor.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App

Charmervin · 12-01-2012, 01:23 AM

Really yow... Oil on the floor!!!... Show us a pic of under the car if you really need help... Else, don't waste time...

ms328i · 12-01-2012, 01:30 PM

Replace your valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket....might as well replace the spark plugs too while you're there....your car will thank you!

E46705 · 12-01-2012, 05:59 PM

Valve cover gasket was done last year. I bought the oil filter gasket today.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App

Fajitas · 12-01-2012, 08:32 PM

I would suggest also replacing your Vanos oil line along with new crush washers while you're in there.

auto180sx · 12-02-2012, 02:50 PM

Looks like a VCG. Something to try if you have not replaced it yet is to spray off the engine of all the old gunk. Not only is a clean engine a happy one, its easier to see where stuff is leaking from.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fajitas

I would suggest also replacing your Vanos oil line along with new crush washers while you're in there.

Dionne11 · 12-16-2012, 09:11 PM

I just replaced my VCG before i did there was leaking on my exhaust causing smoke after VCG repair it stopped now the only leak i have is my oil filter housing but its less severe than the VCG.

Dionne11 · 12-16-2012, 09:15 PM

IF you decide to do the VCG DIY i paid someone and then i replaced my vanos and realized how easy it would have been to replace the VCG so lost $202 to the mechanic for something i could have done.Im an idiot.

beemerlbb · 12-18-2012, 08:23 AM

I Agree ....the valve cover gasket and the oil filter houseing gaskets are very common and will have tearing your hair out trying to isolate the problems. You might as well go ahead and get it over with because its going to be a problem at some point . just dont wait until it gets worse . Dig in and fix it! Its not hard!. It will take some time ? but? your Beemer is worth it!. Be good to your beemer so it can be good to you!!!!!. LOL!

bmwcanman · 03-15-2013, 01:21 PM

E46705

Did you ever figure out the problem? I have the exact same situation to the point your pics will do.

E46705 · 03-15-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwcanman

E46705

Did you ever figure out the problem? I have the exact same situation to the point your pics will do.

PMed you back

10-07-2012, 07:32 PM	#1
pmagloir Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 36 My Ride: 2004 330Ci View My Garage	Pls. Help Me Identify Oil Leak Greetings, I just saw a poodle of oil in my garage and identified it as oil. I warmed up the car and looked around to see where it was coming from and it appears to be coming from the VCG, between the half moons. Car is 2004 330 Ci with 70k, and according to previous maintenance records, VCG and grommets were replaced at 60K by an indy mechanic. Please see picture below. Am I right to assume that I need to replace the VCG? I thank you in advance for your responses to this post. Attached Thumbnails

11-17-2012, 11:08 AM	#3
E46705 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: local D- RosE City Posts: 9 My Ride: e46 View My Garage	leak Did you ever find the source of the leak? Perhaps someone can chime in and identify the source of the oil leak from the pics? i attached a pic too. 330i. Thanks Attached Thumbnails

12-01-2012, 01:01 AM	#6
E46705 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: local D- RosE City Posts: 9 My Ride: e46 View My Garage	Here is what my leak looks like on the garage floor. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App Last edited by E46705; 12-02-2012 at 11:36 AM.

12-01-2012, 05:59 PM	#9
E46705 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: local D- RosE City Posts: 9 My Ride: e46 View My Garage	Valve cover gasket was done last year. I bought the oil filter gasket today. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Bimmer App Attached Thumbnails Last edited by E46705; 12-02-2012 at 11:36 AM.

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10-10-2012, 05:09 AM	#2
Acrono Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 36 My Ride: e46 soon. View My Garage	Not sure, but possibly valve cover gasket?

12-01-2012, 01:23 AM	#7
Charmervin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Phoenix Posts: 27 My Ride: 2001 325ci View My Garage	Really yow... Oil on the floor!!!... Show us a pic of under the car if you really need help... Else, don't waste time...

12-01-2012, 01:30 PM	#8
ms328i Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 38 My Ride: 99 328i & 04 X5 View My Garage	Replace your valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket....might as well replace the spark plugs too while you're there....your car will thank you!

12-01-2012, 08:32 PM	#10
Fajitas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Antonio Posts: 108 My Ride: 04 E46 View My Garage	I would suggest also replacing your Vanos oil line along with new crush washers while you're in there.

12-16-2012, 09:11 PM	#12
Dionne11 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Biloxi, ms Posts: 26 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	I just replaced my VCG before i did there was leaking on my exhaust causing smoke after VCG repair it stopped now the only leak i have is my oil filter housing but its less severe than the VCG.

12-16-2012, 09:15 PM	#13
Dionne11 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Biloxi, ms Posts: 26 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	IF you decide to do the VCG DIY i paid someone and then i replaced my vanos and realized how easy it would have been to replace the VCG so lost $202 to the mechanic for something i could have done.Im an idiot.

12-18-2012, 08:23 AM	#14
beemerlbb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Meridian Ms. Posts: 3 My Ride: 04 325XI View My Garage	I Agree ....the valve cover gasket and the oil filter houseing gaskets are very common and will have tearing your hair out trying to isolate the problems. You might as well go ahead and get it over with because its going to be a problem at some point . just dont wait until it gets worse . Dig in and fix it! Its not hard!. It will take some time ? but? your Beemer is worth it!. Be good to your beemer so it can be good to you!!!!!. LOL!

03-15-2013, 01:21 PM	#15
bmwcanman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 21 My Ride: 2004 330ci m-sport View My Garage	E46705 Did you ever figure out the problem? I have the exact same situation to the point your pics will do.