Let's Play "Find the S54 Oil Leak!"

alphawawa · 10-25-2021, 08:02 PM

Hi there S54'ers,

About to do a valve cover gasket replacement on my S54, but would certainly appreciate any insights on where else the oil leak may be coming from before I do. Short video here:

Details:

A small amount of oil is leaking from somewhere along the valve cover or back of the engine, burning on the hot cats, and driving me crazy every time I put on the AC. Before I do a valve cover gasket replacement, I wanted to see if anyone else had any ideas.

The Problem:
* Engine has a small oil leak that causes burnt oil smell to travel into cabin (and, it's an oil leak).

The Situation:
* Engine (BMW S54) has 100k miles on it (chassis has 150k).
* All consumables outside of cracking the block (VANOS, valve cover gasket, rod bearings, etc, etc) were serviced/upgraded to OEM/OEM+ 15k miles ago.
* New CPV O-ring was installed 10k miles ago, along with new cat, just to be proactive.
* I just installed a brand new exhaust cam position sensor to rule that out as a source (was source of leak in the past).

The Questions:
* Might it be something other than the valve cover gasket? If so, what?

pynacl · 12-13-2021, 11:50 PM

As far as I know the only other thing that has the possibility of leaking in that area would be the oil return pipe (the banjo bolt half way down the exhaust side of the engine). Might be worth double checking and replacing the two copper crush washers (2x BMW-07119963129).

10-25-2021, 08:02 PM	#1
alphawawa Blue Blood 190 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW M3 Coupe/TiAg+IR/6MT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Let's Play "Find the S54 Oil Leak!" Hi there S54'ers, About to do a valve cover gasket replacement on my S54, but would certainly appreciate any insights on where else the oil leak may be coming from before I do. Short video here: Details: A small amount of oil is leaking from somewhere along the valve cover or back of the engine, burning on the hot cats, and driving me crazy every time I put on the AC. Before I do a valve cover gasket replacement, I wanted to see if anyone else had any ideas. The Problem: * Engine has a small oil leak that causes burnt oil smell to travel into cabin (and, it's an oil leak). The Situation: * Engine (BMW S54) has 100k miles on it (chassis has 150k). * All consumables outside of cracking the block (VANOS, valve cover gasket, rod bearings, etc, etc) were serviced/upgraded to OEM/OEM+ 15k miles ago. * New CPV O-ring was installed 10k miles ago, along with new cat, just to be proactive. * I just installed a brand new exhaust cam position sensor to rule that out as a source (was source of leak in the past). The Questions: * Might it be something other than the valve cover gasket? If so, what? __________________ Rob C : 2005 BMW M3 / 2013 BMW X3 P : 1969 VW Beetle / 1989 BMW 320i / 1991 BMW 318is / [a ton of BMWs between 99 and 2012] / 1991 Porsche 944 S2
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-13-2021, 11:50 PM	#2
pynacl Private 65 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (2) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 35i [0.00] 2010 BMW 328i [0.00] 2002 BMW M3 [0.00]	As far as I know the only other thing that has the possibility of leaking in that area would be the oil return pipe (the banjo bolt half way down the exhaust side of the engine). Might be worth double checking and replacing the two copper crush washers (2x BMW-07119963129).
	Appreciate 1 alphawawa190.00 Quote