Small Oil Leak

SlickShift · 12-31-2015, 01:53 PM

I was cleaning my engine bay this morning and noticed some oil leakage from around what looks like an oil fitting.

I looked on Real OEM and I think it's the return pipe from the crankcase ventilation system. Has anyone else had a leak from this fitting? And is the fix as simple as unbolting and installing new gaskets?

Area of engine where I noticed the leak. Oil fitting is below the plastic pipe when view from above.

Close up of oil fitting

Real OEM

dc_wright · 12-31-2015, 10:05 PM

Looks more like a VCG leak to me. Clean up the area with some brake cleaner to remove all the residue there and you'll be better able to spot exactly where the source is.

Beedub · 01-01-2016, 10:29 AM

agreed... if you look at the bolt it doesnt appear to be wet , and the oil seems to have been heir for a while, id guess as VCG, but why not change the VCG and the little copper washers and cover both bases.. Both are very easy DIY... very easy if a-little fiddly.

SlickShift · 01-01-2016, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the insight. Looks like I have a little weekend project.

StickMon · 01-01-2016, 02:35 PM

Crush washers are easy to replace, but getting the inner one on is a bit fiddly.
Expect to drop it once or twice.
Torque spec is 18 ft*lbs.

The rubber line above it is the coil harness.
If you do the VCG, this link just came up in another thread.
Their kit used to include the crush washers, but it looks like they forgot about them.

SlickShift · 01-01-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

Crush washers are easy to replace, but getting the inner one on is a bit fiddly.
Expect to drop it once or twice.
Torque spec is 18 ft*lbs.

The rubber line above it is the coil harness.
If you do the VCG, this link just came up in another thread.
Their kit used to include the crush washers, but it looks like they forgot about them.

Thanks. I found another kit from ECS that had the washers in them in case I need to do the VCG. I'm going to clean off that area tomorrow and see if I can get a definitive answer on where the oil is seeping from.

XMetal · 01-02-2016, 11:39 AM

Yes, most likely the VCG. I have the same leak right after my last valve adjustment using a non-OE VCG.

12-31-2015, 01:53 PM	#1
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 323 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	Small Oil Leak - CCV? I was cleaning my engine bay this morning and noticed some oil leakage from around what looks like an oil fitting. I looked on Real OEM and I think it's the return pipe from the crankcase ventilation system. Has anyone else had a leak from this fitting? And is the fix as simple as unbolting and installing new gaskets? Area of engine where I noticed the leak. Oil fitting is below the plastic pipe when view from above. Close up of oil fitting Real OEM __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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12-31-2015, 10:05 PM	#2
dc_wright Captain 249 Rep 758 Posts Drives: 2006 Z43.0si Roadster Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Looks more like a VCG leak to me. Clean up the area with some brake cleaner to remove all the residue there and you'll be better able to spot exactly where the source is. __________________ Top Down 365
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01-01-2016, 10:29 AM	#3
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,328 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	agreed... if you look at the bolt it doesnt appear to be wet , and the oil seems to have been heir for a while, id guess as VCG, but why not change the VCG and the little copper washers and cover both bases.. Both are very easy DIY... very easy if a-little fiddly. __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
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01-01-2016, 11:00 AM	#4
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 323 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	Thanks for the insight. Looks like I have a little weekend project. __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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01-01-2016, 02:35 PM	#5
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Crush washers are easy to replace, but getting the inner one on is a bit fiddly. Expect to drop it once or twice. Torque spec is 18 ftlbs. The rubber line above it is the coil harness. If you do the VCG, this link just came up in another thread. Their kit used to include the crush washers, but it looks like they forgot about them. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.*
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01-02-2016, 11:39 AM	#7
XMetal Colonel 1131 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Yes, most likely the VCG. I have the same leak right after my last valve adjustment using a non-OE VCG.
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