Z3 Oil Leak Help

[Monkey]

Arrgghh, just noticed i have an oil leak, its not too bad, but its an annoynce and concern, it drips a small drop every 10 - 15 seconds. its deffo engine oil

its from the front left (passenger side) of the engine, Sorry for the crap phone pics, i'll try and get some better ones tomorrow

its a 1998 R 1.9L with CD changer and an Apline Forest air freshner

its dripping from this bolt, i know this bolt isnt the issue, but thats the lowest part ofthe car. the "pipe" infront is the steering, and the blot is towards the rear of the car

close up

the line of oil on the steering is a read hearing, as it was the lowest part of the car earlier as the car was parked on a slope

Front of the bottom of the engine

the top of the engine is dry, and i as yet found where the sump plug and oil filter is, i think its either sump gasket, sump plug or a crack in the sump.

 

[Monkey]

had a proper look with a better torch, and it looks like it "could" be the drivers side, i cant get a good look at the rocker gasket that side, as the engine is "canted" (no jokes please) but there is fresh looking oil on the steering rack/wishbones below the engine on the drivers side. i need a proper look in day light and with the car jacked up.

 

[GazHyde]

Sounds like it needs to be looked at in daylight as you say. Shed some more light on the matter!

 

[Monkey]

Sounds like it needs to be looked at in daylight as you say. Shed some more light on the matter!

yep, ive just been out again, after an hour of sitting on my drive, and not 1 drip of oil. nothing. but this time its sat flat and level. the other times the car was tilst forward and or to the passenger side

 

[gookah]

its not too bad, ........ it drips a small drop every 10 - 15 seconds.

I reckon that is bad, to be honest... and needs seeing to quickly

 

[Monkey]

its not too bad, ........ it drips a small drop every 10 - 15 seconds.

I reckon that is bad, to be honest... and needs seeing to quickly

i've had worse on other cars. the leak has stopped, which doesnt mean its not going to be fixed, it just means it ill be harder to find.

whats THE workshop manual to get? i've seen the Bentley ones, they seem comprehensive enought, but £66 ish not too sure on the cost. but if its the one to get i will. unless there are better/cheaper/PDF alternatives

 

[Aceman]

Haynes used to do a manual that covers the E36 and also the very early E37 Z3's so yours should be covered but it doesn't seem to be listed anymore on their website. You do see them coming up on ebay from time to time so have a look but the standard e36 manual does cover your engine if that helps.

e36 Haynes Manual

 

[r37]

i have the bently one, has everything in it apart from the s50? engine as its an american book and that engine never made it to the US. Really good book and well worth the cost.

 

[Snoops]

Here you go... there were some others on Abe books but this was the cheapest book+postage.

HTH

 

[swamper]

online manual
http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?2/41/84

 

[Aceman]

Here you go... there were some others on Abe books but this was the cheapest book+postage.

HTH

That's it good find Snoops.

 

[Snoops]

Here you go... there were some others on Abe books but this was the cheapest book+postage.

HTH

That's it good find Snoops.

I stumbled across "Abebooks" during one of my many hours of research looking for various things, obviously looking for an old book at the time. Wish I could find out where the shop is for this seller - Southport is a nice ride up the road for me, he gets Bentley manuals too.

 

[Monkey]

Cheers for the links.

just to update.

the engine ONLY drips oil when the from of the car is lower than the reat, or the car is tilted to the left (passenger side - ie parked half on a kerb)

when the car is flat or the engine is higher than the rear, there is NO oil left under the car - the car has been sat since 8:50am and ther is NO oil uner neath it.

i have ordered 5L or oil (5/40W) and a filter, as i'll need that, and further investigation is needed.