Oil leak :(

[philiper]

Evening all,

Due to COVID-19 my car has been sitting since March, but finally got it back on the road Started it last week and noticed burning oil smell from the back of the engine, looked like dripping on the exhaust manifold! Had leaks from the oil filter housing, so got the 2 gaskets changed today and new oil and filter done.

But the leak still remains, the garage I use is a small garage and I do trust them, they did mention it is not a job they have done before and needs to be done by specialist, as could be anything!

The photo attached was taken by the mechanic investigating the issue, this is on N52 3.0si auto!

Any ideas? Common problem? Solution?

Appreciate the help and feedback

 

[Jason Goldschmidt]

I can tell he is a mechanic and not a photographer
It looks like he's taken that picture looking into the little door that swings down for oil changes.
It is highly possible that your leak is coming from much further up and just dribbling down there.

How fast is it leaking? It doesn't really look all too oily down there.
He is right though, it really could be anything. Your best bet might be to clean up the engine really well and look for new oil as the leak continues.

 

[philiper]

There was no oil leak when I parked the car before lockdown, so can only think some seal has perished in the meantime causing the leak! Having looked online it could be from number of places on N52's!
He did say it is an awkward place to photograph, he also mentioned nothing above the point of dripping so must be coming from somewhere else! Sump seal?! I think he mentioned as well

 

[t-tony]

Bear in mind oil does not run up hill. Only thing to do is remove the under tray and clean off the leaked oil (use an aerosol of brake cleaner or similar) then replace the tray and run the car. Inspect at intervals for new oil appearing and try to see where it is coming from. There are no short cuts I'm afraid.

Tony.

 

[philiper]

Cheers Tony, been reading alot on this, could be rear main seal, oil pan gasket ...

This sort of rubbish always happens when you can do without them in your life! I know it is fixable but annoying and costly

 

[Dino D]

The rocker cover gasket is the usual suspect (and easiest to change) on pretty much any BMW engine (but the v8’s have a few more seals that let oil past that require a partial strip down). Luckily the 6 is pretty straightforward- anyone who works on BMW will be able to do it easily I’d have thought.

 

[philiper]

The rocker cover gasket is the usual suspect (and easiest to change) on pretty much any BMW engine (but the v8’s have a few more seals that let oil past that require a partial strip down). Luckily the 6 is pretty straightforward- anyone who works on BMW will be able to do it easily I’d have thought.

Thanks, but it is not the rocker unfortunately

 

[colb]

Usual leaks as said by others are the cam cover gasket or the oil filter housing where it fits to the engine block so I your certain its neither of these then almost certainly its going to be the sump gasket. As Tony says best take the undertray off and clean the area then run the car for a bit and then have another look for the source of the leak. Give the suspect area a dust with talcum powder before you run the car, it may help to see where its leaking from.

 

[philiper]

Thanks @colb

Both gaskets for the oil filter housing were replaced last week

 

[ppavuk]

I'd say rocker cover gasket is first suspect, and easy to do. second one will be oil filter housing gasket. I have a minor leak there, but can't be bothered to fix, as it really tiny. However, the gasket is only under a tenner from BMW, and I have it. one day I'll put it on.