Oil leak

[wsmeyer]

So after smelling a little oil burning and poking around I can see a little bit of oil on the driver side of the block underneath the intake. Is this DEFINITELY valve cover gasket or do I need to do some more investigating?

[danewilson77]

No. Most likely ofhg, although vcg could be leaking as well.

"No flamesuit required"

[ELCID86]

Front or back of the block? Or can you tell?

[wsmeyer]

Hmmm. At 60k maybe I should just do both while I'm in there?

[wsmeyer]

Front or back of the block? Or can you tell?
Can't tell. Only part I can easily see is the middle.

[ryankokesh]

Could definitely be the ofhg, but I definitely wouldn't rule out the vcg if you're smelling it burn. That's a very common vcg symptom afaik.

[ryankokesh]

Hmmm. At 60k maybe I should just do both while I'm in there?

Why not... ~$7 for the ofhg on amazon. :dunno

[ELCID86]

+1

[wsmeyer]

Why not... ~$7 for the ofhg on amazon. :dunno

Well yeah but the OEM valve cover gasket is $58 so I was more wondering if it is the housing should I do the valve cover as preventative.

[ryankokesh]

Well yeah but the OEM valve cover gasket is $58 so I was more wondering if it is the housing should I do the valve cover as preventative.

I personally have a sneaking suspicion that the vcg is actually your culprit. Just my hunch.

I would probably just track down the source though. I want to say the vcg is a 100k mile thing... Maybe someone can confirm.


Sent from my iPhone

[wsmeyer]

I personally have a sneaking suspicion that the vcg is actually your culprit. Just my hunch.

I would probably just track down the source though. I want to say the vcg is a 100k mile thing... Maybe someone can confirm.

When I get home tonight I'll remove the plastic piece that covers the intake manifold and see if I can see better.

[wsmeyer]

Given the placement of the oil filter housing I would expect oil to be visible on the front of the block but there isn't any there or making it to the ground.

Can anyone with a leaky OFHG tell me where they saw oil?

EDIT ****

I guess it doesn't really matter as that is the cheap one and I have no prob doing that as preventative. Hell even the VCG being that the car is 8 years old now seems prudent.

Is there anything else in there I should look at?

[BADCLOWN]

are you seeing burnt oil smoke when the motor is at running temperature/idling? if its coming up from the center of the bay/underneath the intake manifold then the CCV system may need to be replaced/revamped but at 60k miles, thats a push. time may be the culprit though on that. other than that, as previously mentioned, i think your VCG might be the problem area. whether its that or something else, if you're digging into the motor for a repair, you might as well replace whatever gaskets/etc you can if its stuff you have to take off to get to other areas/problem areas. especially if the cost of the part is relatively cheap.

when i had my CCV system redone i had all plumbing/valve replaced and at the same time had the oil dipstick seal done (common to leak), vanos oil supply line, and intake boots done. altogether, not bad on parts itself for the total repair ($220 from BMW) but gaskets are cheap, I'm a big proponent of "if you're in there, might as well replace it".

[johnrando]

What is that parts list for the "while you're in there" CCV placement? Looks like I need to do my CCV. Don't want to hijack thread, but it might be helpful to both. I've been texting William.

I see:
oil dipstick seal
vanos oil supply line
intake boots (recently did those)
VCG (recently done)
CCV (of course).

Anything else? I'm also reading that you might as well break the hoses there and replace them as it's easier for take apart. Would you know that hoses to replace?

[wsmeyer]

Don't mind the segue at all as I may do CCV as well. I'm an OEM kinda guy so I was looking at this:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1=2550214&qty1=1&add2=24205&qty2=1&utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=link2cart

I recently did intake boots too so don't need those.

[Hornung418]

William, the OFHG leak is usually visible in the waffle section beneath the intake manifold. If you pull the air box you shoudld get a decent view of the leak.

"You don't have to blow out my candle just to make yours shine brighter."

[johnrando]

Don't mind the segue at all as I may do CCV as well. I'm an OEM kinda guy so I was looking at this:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1=2550214&qty1=1&add2=24205&qty2=1&utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=link2cart

I recently did intake boots too so don't need those.

Good find, I like that list. So, just add oil dipstick tube and oil dipstick seal, right? William, please order 2 sets so we can save on shipping.

[wsmeyer]

Good find, I like that list. So, just add oil dipstick tube and oil dipstick seal, right? William, please order 2 sets so we can save on shipping.

The "new and improved" dipstick is $144 !

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/SiteSearch/Dipstick_Tube/ES24265/

Not going to do that as preventative.

[ELCID86]

Don't mind the segue at all as I may do CCV as well. I'm an OEM kinda guy so I was looking at this:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1=2550214&qty1=1&add2=24205&qty2=1&utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=link2cart

I recently did intake boots too so don't need those.

I should really do that too. I wish I had a trunk monkey to help.

[johnrando]

The "new and improved" dipstick is $144 !

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/SiteSearch/Dipstick_Tube/ES24265/

Not going to do that as preventative.

Wow. I agree unless they can prove it does something special.

[danewilson77]

Hmmm. At 60k maybe I should just do both while I'm in there?
This.

Ofhg is $3.

"No flamesuit required"

[wsmeyer]

William, the OFHG leak is usually visible in the waffle section beneath the intake manifold. If you pull the air box you should get a decent view of the leak.

It's definitely in the waffle section. Weighing my options now:

A - take stuff off till I can see what exactly is leaking, then put it back together and order parts

B - replace VCG, OFHG, CCV as repair / preventative maintenance.

[danewilson77]

Waffle section points specifically to ofhg.

"No flamesuit required"

[wsmeyer]

Wow. I agree unless they can prove it does something special.

Newer design is supposed to be less prone to sludge buildup and clogging. When we take ours out we can evaluate. replacing it just means removing airbox.

[wsmeyer]

How much oil do you have to drain to change OFHG?

[danewilson77]

Not sure. Maybe none. Give it a try and throw a pan under there. Buy backup oil though.

"No flamesuit required"

[johnrando]

I have backup oil if needed William.

[Hornung418]

I didn't lose any oil changing mine. Alternator has to come out.

When you get to it, crack the cap filter housing to allow the oil to drain out of the housing and into the pan. When you remove the six bolts, you may lose some oil but it won't be a crazy amount.

[slater]

It's definitely in the waffle section. Weighing my options now:

A - take stuff off till I can see what exactly is leaking, then put it back together and order parts

B - replace VCG, OFHG, CCV as repair / preventative maintenance.

B makes more sense given the age of the car and relatively low cost of parts...



Newer design is supposed to be less prone to sludge buildup and clogging. When we take ours out we can evaluate. replacing it just means removing airbox.

true, however i am assuming at 60K miles, in your climate, assuming proper oil change intervals - you should not have any clogging. i'd pass.



How much oil do you have to drain to change OFHG?

none - just put a pan under the area and have some shop towels and brake cleaner/engine degreaser on hand for cleaning up the area. you might lose half a liter at most, i'd guess probably more like 100-200ml. i did an oil change at the same time and when removing the oil filter before removing the oil filter housing assembly i eradicated as much oil from the assembly as possible to prevent spillage when removing the housing.

it was an easy job - certainly easier than most folks let on.

peter

[BADCLOWN]

Rando: what you pulled out of my post is pretty accurate is far as a parts list. For the CCV, id replace the valve and all attached plumbing

[ELCID86]

Option B.

[johnrando]

Rando: what you pulled out of my post is pretty accurate is far as a parts list. For the CCV, id replace the valve and all attached plumbing

Thanks.

[wsmeyer]

Finally got around to ordering parts for this and future project:

Cold weather CCV kit
Oil filter housing gasket
valve cover gasket
Expansion tank cap

Definitely replacing CCV. OFHG and VCG I'll evaluate when I can see them better. They may get put on the shelf for now and the cap will sit next to the hoses and tank on the shelf all ready to go.

[WOLFN8TR]

Hey William when you get the Alternator and OFH off the CVV is easier to get to. This is a great time to do the boots and clean the ICV as well.

[wsmeyer]

Hey William when you get the Alternator and OFH off the CVV is easier to get to. This is a great time to do the boots and clean the ICV as well.

I put the Stett boots on about a year ago and cleaned the ICV at that time. My plan is to pull the manifold, replace CCV and clean everything else, inspect and go from there.

[WOLFN8TR]

Nice! FYI I did my OFHG at 98K and again just before I sold it at 135K.

[johnrando]

Finally got around to ordering parts for this and future project:

Cold weather CCV kit
Oil filter housing gasket
valve cover gasket
Expansion tank cap

Definitely replacing CCV. OFHG and VCG I'll evaluate when I can see them better. They may get put on the shelf for now and the cap will sit next to the hoses and tank on the shelf all ready to go.

Just let me know, I'm in.

[Vas]

Finally got around to ordering parts for this and future project:

Cold weather CCV kit
Oil filter housing gasket
valve cover gasket
Expansion tank cap

Definitely replacing CCV. OFHG and VCG I'll evaluate when I can see them better. They may get put on the shelf for now and the cap will sit next to the hoses and tank on the shelf all ready to go.

Where did you end up ordering the ccv kit form?

[wsmeyer]

Where did you end up ordering the ccv kit form?

ECS, this one:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Search/SiteSearch/Oil_Separator/ES2550214/

[johnrando]

Same one I ordered/installed.

[Vas]

I really need to order one and do it.

[LivesNearCostco]

Was it leaking again at 135K? Because, that would be 37,000 miles, really close to the factory warranty period! :-)

Nice! FYI I did my OFHG at 98K and again just before I sold it at 135K.

[wsmeyer]

Finally got around to tackling this. Ended up doing full cold weather CCV kit, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, spark plugs and the expansion tank.

The good news is that the engine is now clean enough to eat off of. Rando and I spent probably 2 hours getting all the oil and gunk off the engine and if I do say so myself it's pretty damn clean

The bad news is that the car won't run. It's weird, it fired right up and ran smooth for 20-30 seconds then started to stumble and it got progressively worse. Now it just struggles to idle and cycles from roughly 800-1200 rpm. If I hit the throttle I can tell by the pitch that the butterfly opens on the throttle body but the engine rpm"s won't respond.

Fuel pressure comes to mind but the engine never dies so not sure. Really hoping when I tear back into it tomorrow it's just a loose electrical connection or a vacuum hose popped off.

[Vas]

Sounds like a vacuum leak.

[slater]

did you remember to plug the MAF back in?

[wsmeyer]

did you remember to plug the MAF back in?

Yes. MAF is definitely plugged in. Can also see the connections to TB and ICV all those look good.

[Hornung418]

Definitely sounds like a vacuum leak. Check your intake boots for tears and cracks and the hose that comes out of the boot that connects to the brake booster. The lower line leads to the fuel pressure regulator and if that is dry-rotted then you will have a hard time keeping idle steady.

[danewilson77]

Sounds like a vacuum leak.
+1

"No flamesuit required"

[wsmeyer]

Been staring at this thing for an hour now. Nothing looks out of place or even suspicious

[Vas]

It's something simple I bet. Check all the connections and hoses

[Hornung418]

Check the injectors mak suee they've been seated correctly and the electrical connections are secure.

[wsmeyer]

Think I found the culprit

17984

[wsmeyer]

I think I'm seeing the intake manifold gasket has.

Can anybody confirm that's just not a grab tab on the gasket?

[wsmeyer]

That's just a little tab. Rando's looks exactly the same.

Great news is I inspected everything, didn't see anything wrong, put it back together and it runs like a top. No idea what was going on last night.

[ELCID86]

At least it's fixed!


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Hornung418]

Weird things that fix themselves always confound me. Maybe the computer just needed to adjust itself to the vacuum leak disappearance.

[wsmeyer]

I'm baffled by it. Rando and I both looked and wiggled every connection and never found anything.

While I was in bed last night thinking about it one thing that came to mind is possibly my fuel pump at 60k was having a hard time pushing all the air out of the rail. Kind of a long shot but I'll watch out for other symptoms

[Hornung418]

I'm baffled by it. Rando and I both looked and wiggled every connection and never found anything.

While I was in bed last night thinking about it one thing that came to mind is possibly my fuel pump at 60k was having a hard time pushing all the air out of the rail. Kind of a long shot but I'll watch out for other symptoms
Keep us posted. I've troubleshot about everything related to a no start on these engines...It's a good time.

[johnrando]

Definitely relieved it ran like a champ today. Good getting all that stuff done.