Oil Leak? Newbie Question Here

[Slaughterhouse5]

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there's a black mollasses looking substance that looks like it's leaking from around a black cover of some sort.

Noticed this while getting new tires put on three days ago. looks like oil maybe? anyone know? Its a 2006 Z4 M. the location is about even with the BMW badge on the side of the car and it's slightly closer to the driver's side if the car.

I'll add another picture from the top down that I believed to be above the section with the molasses
car has almost 52000 miles on it. I take it on spirited drives average once every two weeks. usually let it warm up 15 to 20 minutes before driving it.

yesterday on one such spirited Drive I noticed the exhaust was making weird gurgling sounds at low RPMs as I was approaching stop lights while still in gear. At one point I pulled away from a stop light switched into second gear. Mid way through 2nd gear rev the car started to feel like it was choking. SES light came on and as I limped it into a parking lot, Everytime I pressed the gas, the car shuddered and vibrated. almost felt as if my cheetah was coughing up a hairball.
I reach the parking lot, turned the car off, waited 30 seconds to a minute, started the car without issue got home no issues whatsoever no SES but obviously wasn't driving it hard at all after that. Not sure if the two are related but next week I'm going to try an Indy for an oil change and take the opportunity to look closer underneath as I have no way to lift it at my house.

Thanks for help

[pungo]

From your picture of the engine shield, there's no telling what is leaking, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan, etc....? You'll need to look at the engine, not the shield.

[Slaughterhouse5]

Originally Posted by pungo

From your picture of the engine shield, there's no telling what is leaking, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan, etc....? You'll need to look at the engine, not the shield.

Originally Posted by pungo

From your picture of the engine shield, there's no telling what is leaking, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan, etc....? You'll need to look at the engine, not the shield.

How intense are we talking? re: looking at the engine?

Should I open a new thread on the shuddering issue? I'm starting to mess with the air filter to maybe give that a cleaning

[elliswyatt]

Pop off that black panel. It’s the access point for the oil drain plug and is easily removed with just your fingers or a small pry instrument like a screwdriver. It could just be an accumulation of oil from various oil changes but you need to get a closer look at that to start. You can also make sure the drain plug is appropriately tight. As the prior poster said, take a look around the oil pan, engine, oil filter housing, etc. to see if you can find the source.

[Slaughterhouse5]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

Pop off that black panel. It's the access point for the oil drain plug and is easily removed with just your fingers or a small pry instrument like a screwdriver. It could just be an accumulation of oil from various oil changes but you need to get a closer look at that to start. You can also make sure the drain plug is appropriately tight. As the prior poster said, take a look around the oil pan, engine, oil filter housing, etc. to see if you can find the source.

excellent, I'll be changing the oil n have it on a lift next week. What's the consensus on 0W-40 Castrol Edge EU formula? seems like people on here like that

[MZHammer]

Originally Posted by Slaughterhouse5

excellent, I'll be changing the oil n have it on a lift next week. What's the consensus on 0W-40 Castrol Edge EU formula? seems like people on here like that

I use the Castrol Euro 0W-40 in my F30 with the N55. Only 10W-60 in the Z4M ( I buy the Shell, previously Castrol, right from the dealer).

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by Slaughterhouse5

excellent, I'll be changing the oil n have it on a lift next week. What's the consensus on 0W-40 Castrol Edge EU formula? seems like people on here like that

Use 10W-60. Castrol is fine. I use Red Line which I buy six quarts at a time from Amazon, ECS or BavAuto. For filters, I use Mahle.

[Slaughterhouse5]

thanks for help. I'll try to report back next week when I know more not going to drive it very much until I change the oil and clean the filter I'll probably try to clean the MAF as well

[polar]

Molasses? Where have you been driving?
Based on your questions and description of your car problems, I'd say dont touch a thing!
Leave it to a reputable BMW specialist!

[Slaughterhouse5]

update - oil change went well. Went with Mahle and Molly thanks to those who responded. Pictures I took were co-determined by myself and the mechanic to be from a fractured drain plug seal. Apparently people over tighten and break them or undertighten for slight leak in both scenarios.
We didn't see any other signs of leaks. Super excited to get back to spirited driving now that weather has cooled off

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by Slaughterhouse5

update - oil change went well. Went with Mahle and Molly thanks to those who responded. Pictures I took were co-determined by myself and the mechanic to be from a fractured drain plug seal. Apparently people over tighten and break them or undertighten for slight leak in both scenarios.
We didn't see any other signs of leaks. Super excited to get back to spirited driving now that weather has cooled off

That's the best news of all. Now you can enjoy the good weather and that fine German machine.