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Oil leaking into splash shield skid plate cover and to the ground

12K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  Pars  
#1 ·
Hello,

I have a 2005 year e46 318i (65.000 km) car and realized that oil is leaking to the ground and skid plate cover from left side of the car. There is no any sign on the display. I just used brake cleaning spray on some of the parts such as oil pan and other parts to clean the excess oil to see where exactly it comes from. Today I just took photos from under the engine and the oil level sensor and 1-2 more parts are really covered with oil. One of the mechanic told me that he will lift the car and engine, will remove the skid plate cover and then take out the oil pan to change the gasket. But it seems that oil level is below the oil pan and the gasket. Does anyone here could tell me where the oil may possible come out?
Thank you

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Discussion starter · #3 ·
That looks like a faulty CCV system (oil vapor collection),I would clean all the oil leaks off with brake cleaner and then see where the leaks are my guess is the oil filter holder lower gasket is also leaking and maybe the rocker cover.
Thank you. I cleaned most of the leaks with the brake cleaner but I have to lift the car to clean better. The leaking is coming from the oil lever sensor as the outer side is completely covered with oil and the one you mention (oil vapor collection) hose also has oil. As the car runs towards the wind, oil leaks from upper side to the tray. As the car is originally 65.000 km, it is hard to believe that the oil pan gasket is died. There is the oil vapor outside but not flowing. To change the gasket, they have to remove both under parts out which I really do not want to see :( Do I also have to remove the skid plate cover to change the o-ring of the oil level sensor?
Thank you
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
The plastic skid plate is held by 10 quick release screws and you need to remove it,the oil level sensor can be changed when you do the oil change but as yours is leaking alot and the oil is black sooner is better.This is not difficult work. i manage to do it by lifting the car 20cms.
If you are able to try to fix your car this is the best place every answer is here and free.
The plastic skid plate is not the problem. I mean the large metal part which holds the engine. It locates just behind the plastic skid plate. While it is located there it is impossible to change some of the parts without removing it first. This oil lever sensor is just located upper side of this metal plate. I have to lift the car, remove that metal plate and then remove the sensor to replace the o-ring. :unsure: The vapor hose also leaks but do not know if I can change it by myself?:rolleyes:
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I wouldnt do the pan gasket until you can confirm that is the leak source. If oil is above level of oil pan, look higher.
What's the tube in #2 with the big gouge in it? Pictures are too close up to tell where they are.
I also do not want to remove that gasket as many parts will come out and the engine will be lifted up to take out the pan. Today I tried to check it with the flash light of my phone and realized those leaking parts. I replace many parts by myself and save from workmanship costs. the oil is below the oil pan. There is no any sign of oil leaking above that part. The tube in #2 is probably the Crankcase vent valve breather hose. I checked the part from internet and this is the explanation.:unsure: The picture below may be an answer to it.
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
That part is faulty most likely and all of it may need replacing if its old,first find the source of the oil leaks,all of them
You tube is very good for solving problems and deciding if you are able to fix them yourself i have found.
All of the parts are old as they are original and not replaced at all. I like finding solution through youtube and mostly fix the problems myself ;) Both car part dealers are close to our area and still find in case I need. Yesterday I did not touch to those plastic hoses but today will touch to see if they are wet and they are the ones leaking.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Are those parts wet in the pics? Are they below the pan gasket seam? seems to me if pan gasket and/or oil sender are leaking, only the pan would be wet. And I wouldnt expect it to pouring out.
They seem wet but I did not touch them yesterday. Today I will check once more to see if they are wet. Because there is no lift I can only check it with an endoscope camera. Upper parts of the engine do not have any sign of oil leak. The pan gasket seems dry. At least there is oil around but old and dried long time ago. I think those hoses are blow the gasket level so there may be a possibility that they need replacement.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
In your picture with a large amount of oil on the ground, how long did you park in that location to have that much oil leak?

So far in this discussion, you mentioned that there may be 3 possible sources of oil leak. 1) Oil level sensor, 2) Oil pan gasket, 3) CCV. Out of these 3 possibilities, the oil pan gasket would not cause so much oil on the ground unless you park in the same location for 6 months and drive your car daily. I'm thinking oil level sensor or CCV is your major cause of oil leak.

Of course there may be other sources of oil leak that we have not considered. The pictures you have provided is only on the bottom of the car so we cannot be sure if there are other leaks.
This is my 3. car so I am not using it daily as I work at home. May be once in a week or once in 15 days. So it keeps staying at the same place. 10 days ago I sprayed the brake cleaner to all over that metal part. After 5-6 days I realized that leak again. The pan gasket does not have any oil around. Either one of the hose or both are laking in pressure. The level sensor is also covered with oil as it is located below the pan and looks wet too. I also think that the pan gasket will not cause that much leak as the pan itself is dry. One possibility is during the engine runs, high pressure causes the hoses leak and level sensor O-ring is not doing its job. Let me lift the car and see what we can do:unsure:
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Today finally I took the car to a service. They removed the metal plate under the engine and we both saw that the oil is coming out from the gasket of the oil pan :sick: They will replace both gaskets with new ones and tomorrow I will have my car back :D