Unofficialbmw.com

m78

I know I will need to do an engine clean to get a start point, but there are some interesting observations...

There is oil splattered on the a/c pump, the underside of the transmission, the steering rack, oil pan, braces under the transmission

It is NOT on the bottom of the radiator, the radiator fan, fan housing, the power steering pump, the power steering hoses, the alternator, alternator bracket.

Where might this oil leak(s) be likely to originate from?
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

85-325e · Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4615 Location: Southampton, NY

My guess is that it's the main crank seal on the front of the engine. The oil gets back to the tranny, but it's dripping down, gets to the compressor from the fan and the belt, and it's going down and back.
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 231,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong!

m78 · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject:

That would be my guess too Enis.

But would it fail to land on the power steering pump & power steering hoses, while at the same time land on the a/c pump ?

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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

85-325e · Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4615 Location: Southampton, NY

I would think that it's the direction of the belt and the radiator fan that's guiding the flow. It's probably not a big leak, but each drip gets blown around by the belt, the rad fan, and general road wind.
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 231,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong!

m78 · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject:

Is the crank seal more on the passenger side rather than the driver's side, or more directly in the center?
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

85-325e · Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 4615 Location: Southampton, NY

In the center, it's a slanted engine and goes from the passenger side (valve cover) down to left of center (a very political engine) but the crank is right in the middle. So, the side of the belt coming out of the crank pulley to the compressor, is going TO the compressor...
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 231,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong!

dt325ic · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 295 Location: Atlanta, GA

Have you checked the oil filter housing seals? Mine were leaking pretty bad and oil was all over that part of my engine, similar to what you describe. It's a pretty easy fix, and the problem is actually fairly common. BavAuto sells the kit (BMW dealer parts too). Might be worth a look. Hope its not the crank seal for your sake!

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=193845

Dane
'88 325iC

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1624 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

As you said, start with a clean slate, then start over. Could be any of the above, as well as camshaft seal behind tbelt/cam, rocker shaft "plugs" (at each end of the cyl head, just beneath valve cover line).

Was my experience the oil filter/bypass (90i) was a big squirter, lost a lot, quick. The rest of 'em oozers.
tncean

m78 · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

this one is definitely an "oozer"

I have to add a quart about every 500-2,000 miles.

A BMW shop told me they would do a dye test to pinpoint the leak.

Has anyone done this?

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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1624 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

It's basically adding a dye to the engine oil. A flourescent lamp might then be used (not required, just better) after the engine runs awhile.
Not that difficult a diy. Clean engine with some citrus based cleaner, (Dollar General, 1$, or Gunk 4$), get dye at autoparts store, add, crank engine, then check.

Gunk is fairly harsh, works well on tranny housing, etc. Be careful around electricals when rinsing. Safer to wipe them than douse. I've even used Wesley's tire cleaner for engines, then some armorall like stuff on wires, hoses. Great time for disposable gloves... protect your EYES!
t

m78 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:43 pm Post subject:

thanks tncean.

this helps a lot.

This may be a weekend spring project.

from what I can tell, it looks like the spark plug side is pretty wet below the spark plugs. the opposite side is wet at the front, and gets dry towards the firewall.

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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)