I did a 2nd gearbox oil change today after driving for 2 weeks following 1st oil change plus filter. While under the FF, I couldn't but notice that I have an oil leak that is wetting the bottom of the engine, bell housing etc. It's not the gearbox sump which was removed and refitted with new gasket 2 weeks ago. Its definitely somewhere on driver side of engine. I can see the rear corners of the rocker covers and both of them have a mild seep but not enough, in my opinion, to be causing the wetness that is there. I have gaskets and washers etc to change the rocker cover gaskets, but my question is, whether or not there is/are any other known spots like the rocker covers that are likely to be the cause of the oil leak.
I intend to power wash the engine in the hope that I can identify where the leak is but all suggestions of where too take particular notice of more than welcome.

Declan

Check the oil breather pipes at the top of the engine at the back under the cover - they start to break down and need replaced from time to time. Plenty on here about checking and replacing them. Current Fleet:-
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will do

I wouldn't power wash the engine, I have heard bad things about doing it and causing all sorts of electrical problems

Jet washed my engine on a regular basis with no covering anything up, waded on even more occasions.... never had an issue, alternator is sealed, no dizzy cap.... all sensitive elec bits are in a sealed box...what's left to not like a bit of water?? Pete

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Pete, how about the ABS unit

Haylands wrote:

Jet washed my engine on a regular basis with no covering anything up, waded on even more occasions.... never had an issue, alternator is sealed, no dizzy cap.... all sensitive elec bits are in a sealed box...what's left to not like a bit of water??

Had another look today and the driver side of the engine is wet-ish pretty much all the way up so I think it is the rocker cover that is causing the issue. I took a more gentle approach and sprayed that side of the engine with one of those degreasers and then washed off with the garden hose. Biggest problem is access to spray it and trying to see enough afterwards, pretty short on space down there

Cam covers are a very common fail as are the PCV valve pipes shown in the photos, this is when i was having a 'tinker' with my transmission. I changed mine a while back and there are a few instructional write ups on here and BMW forums and also the beisan systems site has some info as the cam covers are removed when the vanos repair is carried out.
The images show some of the PCV valve pipes that turn to mush over time and leak oil all over the back of the engine

Cheers,
Will definitely have a look at these when doing the cam covers. I do assume that you do not have to take the transmission out to get at them

Declan

Dolphinboy wrote:

Pete, how about the ABS unit