Why it leak again???

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Dear all sifus,Need advice here, last night i park my car at my garage. Park a bit inclined about 20 degree downward. In the morning i noticed there is a lot of oil stain down under the car. Last service just changed the oil pan gasket, crankshaft seal, flywheel oil seal, solenoid o rings and full service. What possibly the leak come from. I haven't service my vacuum pump now. My question is that because of the leaking vacuum pump which caused a lot of stains down the engine bay. Is it possible the cause is from the vacuum pump?. Need advice here. By the way my ride is 2002 318i 2.0 n42b20. I did know the reputation but i'm trying hard to solve all this.Thanks

 

[ICEMAN 68]

if ya had just serviced that car, then perhaps some left over oil which was not being wiped off ...give it another day and see what happen ...

 

[astroboy]

Many reasons.. oil stains not cleaned, recent job not done properly. Check your engine oil level at once to ensure the leak is not serious. If top up necessary, send it for inspection at once, after top up.

Otherwise, just monitor to see if situation is getting worst. If got time, go to workshop, hoist up the car, remove bottom shield and inspect.

 

[aidilj]

Bro Ibrahim Hanif,

I'm also on the wimpy N42B20 318i 2002 2.0 bandwagon. I did all those and also changed the vacuum pump no more drips on the floor but the underside is constantly wet everytime car is hoisted. Before, I would get the low engine oil warning after spirited driving. Before all the leak fixes I was running on mineral oil, now the mechanic upgraded me to semi-synthetic.

One tip and always done my my mechanic is to wash the engine everytime after service so that if there is new trace of oil, you would see it the next time. Hope this helps.. Owh, the first visit to my mechanic, after seeing the condition of my engine he said it's pretty bad but wouldn't do any overhaul

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Everyday i think there's a spot dude. Hmm...

 

[astroboy]

Bro Ibrahim Hanif,

I'm also on the wimpy N42B20 318i 2002 2.0 bandwagon. ..

Same here.. we N46B20 inherited 99.99% of the wimpy problem of the N42..

We are always WET and DRIPPING.. :bath:

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Same here.. we N46B20 inherited 99.99% of the wimpy problem of the N42..

We are always WET and DRIPPING.. :bath:

So we get used to it huh Astroboy?. Hehe. How much you top up your oil for how many KMs?.

 

[astroboy]

I only pour in 4L instead of 4.25L because I don't believe 100% drain. Some will be stuck on the engine wall and other cavities. Initially I can last 10k km without top up but it seems those days are over.. still monitoring now.. I'll be lucky if the +1L warning comes up at 9k km of usage.. the last one was at 7k km due to a leak on the oil filter seal, which I replaced. U see, the N46 NO DIP STICK!!! *&^%$#@!! :stickyman:

 

[eujinee]

I only pour in 4L instead of 4.25L because I don't believe 100% drain. Some will be stuck on the engine wall and other cavities. Initially I can last 10k km without top up but it seems those days are over.. still monitoring now.. I'll be lucky if the +1L warning comes up at 9k km of usage.. the last one was at 7k km due to a leak on the oil filter seal, which I replaced. U see, the N46 NO DIP STICK!!! *&^%$#@!! :stickyman:

N46 no dipstick..????..tht is shitty...how u guys check the level?...

 

[zeedo]

Another culprit is the cam cover gasket and if there's a slight crack at the cam cover itself. It's made of plastic so can expect it might crack. Me also on wimpy N42

 

[JFT63]

I always take this leak issue as sth normal to bimmer..No matter how good TLC i pour on her, she still leaks bro..my car has it, i just monitor, cleans and top up oil if necessary..well, i'm not perfectionist though..

 

[Vincent Hor]

Ibrahim, this cannot be happening since you have just did all the necessary during the last service.
2 things comes to my mind. 1. Your mechanic made some mistakes installing the fresh seals during your last service or 2. It's a fresh leak elsewhere.

However I believe that your mechanic should be competent enough to handle the job which leads me to be of the opinion that it's something else.

First determine what is the color of the oil stains. This will give you some indications what is leaking. My suggestion is to use a powerful torch light to check these areas 1. Steering rack, 2. Power steering pump 3. The high pressure hose 4. Under the car the Auto Transmission.

You can also place some old newspaper directly under the GB and also directly under the fire wall (if the vacuum pump leaks it will stain here) Btw park the car on level ground if you are running this test.

Lastly, have you check the level of engine oil or the power steering fluids?

 

[Herbert]

I always take this leak issue as sth normal to bimmer..No matter how good TLC i pour on her, she still leaks bro..my car has it, i just monitor, cleans and top up oil if necessary..well, i'm not perfectionist though..

Leaking shouldn't be normal (applies to all cars) and not rectifying the leak is injustice to her.

 

[astroboy]

Leaking shouldn't be normal (applies to all cars) and not rectifying the leak is injustice to her.

Agree but when leaks involving a RM4 seal but need to drop engine or gearbox, 2 days sangkut in the workshop, out of alternative transportation during weekdays, can't go to work, with labor cost over RM200 and needing to replace fluid that cost RM700 just to get to that RM4 seal.. to me, doesn't make logical, economical or emotional sense. Workshop would love to see you though because they are the one that laughing to the bank.

Unless the leak is serious, like the crank seal which can damage the timing belt leading to overhaul risk, then yes, immediate attention is necessary. Hence knowing and understanding your leak is important. Some leaks can wait and only get fix together with other bigger jobs.

For high compression high horsepower car like BMW, leak is something unavoidable. No point breaking your piggy bank over minor leaks. Of course no one is stopping you to drop your engine every other month to replace seals prematurely as preventive maintenance should your bank a/c in deep enough.

Many say BMW maintenance cost is high. The above of course is one of the contributing factor. Don't let costly leak fix affair deter your driving passion in an ultimate driving machine. Some leaks can wait.. :4:

 

[Ibrahim Hanif]

Another culprit is the cam cover gasket and if there's a slight crack at the cam cover itself. It's made of plastic so can expect it might crack. Me also on wimpy N42

I do think it's the cam cover gasket. I saw a lot of oil at it's surroundings. How much for the gasket price now dude. Can also DIY right?.
Thanks a lot.

 

[astroboy]

The valve cover gasket I last heard it's about RM250, comes in 2 pieces, large one for around the block, small one for around the valvetronic motor.

Item 2:

 

[JFT63]

Leaking shouldn't be normal (applies to all cars) and not rectifying the leak is injustice to her.

I agree, but maybe my ride is too old for not having any leak..seriously, I did a few times but it still persists and the fixing cost is quite high...unless it is getting serious then I will consult my mech..otherwise, I would rather wait and monitor..

 

[bmw7833]

Agree but when leaks involving a RM4 seal but need to drop engine or gearbox, 2 days sangkut in the workshop, out of alternative transportation during weekdays, can't go to work, with labor cost over RM200 and needing to replace fluid that cost RM700 just to get to that RM4 seal.. to me, doesn't make logical, economical or emotional sense. Workshop would love to see you though because they are the one that laughing to the bank.

Hehehh..my calculation is almost same with your mind..I admit that i'm not perfectionist too.

 

[yat325]

hehehe me too...... my e36 325 is start leeking averywhere since erly this yr until my oilsump crack last month than ill do all the replacement .....now my engine is good as new again......

 

[astroboy]

Try not to let the leak catch fire.. :4:

Vacuum pump leak is like this.. looking up from the bottom of the car, through the cat converter. It drips onto the exhaust cat converter and possibly u will see smoke or smell the brunt.

Hi peeps

I had this issue very recently
The seal on my vacuum pump was also leaking
This is the 2nd E90 N46 ive seen with this issue.

The pump gives vacuum pressure to the brake servo.
Under harder braking, i could smell a very distinct burnt oil smell, and on some occasions see smoke from the right side of the hood area.

On inspection i found this

so i changed the pump, and the newer Oring along side
Also i change the chain tensioner and the valve cover gasket as it was also leaking a bit..

So far so good,

N42 DIY fix: http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f91/2002-e46-318i-n42-vacuum-pump-repair-t89903/

N46 DIY fix: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=134590&p=1128575