Author Topic: Oil leak/burning oil smell (Read 3400 times)

16v of E30 · « **on:** May 03, 2009, 04:59:33 PM »

So I was ripping up seymour the other day and at the top after shutting down the engine, i got the strongest smell of burning oil to date... I know i got a bit of a leak, one or two drops here or there falling on the exhaust causing the smell, but holy fuck.

I got under the car today and looking at the bottom of the oil pan, its covered in oil. The oil pan gasket seems to be dripping, or it could be the gasket above that on the passenger side of the engine. anyone know what gasket this is called and how much to fix it? it looks to be a vertical gasket as opposed to the oil pan being horizontal...

thanks and sorry for the vagueness...

roundel318 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2009, 07:36:21 PM »

I just had a main front crank seal replaced and oil filter housing gaskets replaced.
Made a world of difference.
Tons of labor, $10 in parts.

B318M42W · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2009, 08:29:55 PM »

pics?
vertical gaskets are the timing cases (upper & lower) and also a profile gasket (not the dreaded one). also front crank seal as posted above.
If you have the time and patience, you could always clean up the engine and then run it a bit so you could find the oil leak more easily. just my 02 cents...

KenC · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2009, 11:55:29 PM »

Quote from: roundel318;71303

I just had a main front crank seal replaced and oil filter housing gaskets replaced.
Made a world of difference.
Tons of labor, $10 in parts.

What? You can change both of those in less than two hours. Probably like $25 in parts.

16v of E30 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2009, 02:49:21 AM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;71315

What? You can change both of those in less than two hours. Probably like $25 in parts.

really? do tell...

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2009, 03:19:59 AM »

Front crank seal replacement - remove fan shroud, fan clutch, drive belts, vibration damper, then pin crank and remove crank bolt. Take out crank hub. Then carefully remove crank seal with a screwdriver. Clean seal positioning area. Lube seal with oil, position into timing cover and then tap into place using a suitable socket and mallet.
Refit above mentioned items in reverse order and your done. Should not take more than one hour.

Oil Filter housing gasket - never done one so can't really help with this one.

KenC · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2009, 03:27:00 PM »

Above is correct procedure for replacing the front crank seal.

For the oil filter housing, you need to unbolt the alternator for room to work (just push it aside). There are only six bolts that hold the filter housing in. Replace the gasket AND o-ring.