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      09-10-2019, 02:31 PM   #1
Molez93
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Mystery M leak. Thoughts?

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2006 Z4M convertible

Pic is of the passenger, bumper corner of the engine bay.
Seems the origin of the leak (oil?) is that cylindrical sensor.
Any ideas what I'm dealing with here?

35k miles. Has not had any significant service, or need for it, other than routine fluids.

Thanks for any ideas you have!
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Last edited by Molez93; 09-10-2019 at 10:05 PM..
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      09-10-2019, 05:02 PM   #2
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If you mean the cylindrical piece in the middle right in the pic, that’s the chain timing chain tensioner.
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      09-10-2019, 05:20 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddBlack88 View Post
If you mean the cylindrical piece in the middle right in the pic, that’s the chain timing chain tensioner.
Yeah. That's the highest oil point I can see.
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      09-10-2019, 05:39 PM   #4
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I just remedied this issue a few months ago by replacing the gasket on the timing chain tensioner (gasket ring part # 07119963418.)

I followed this excellent DIY: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=433414

Access is much easier on the Z4M. I took all of 20 minutes to swap out and clean up the mess.
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      09-10-2019, 05:42 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFZ4M View Post
I just remedied this issue a few months ago by replacing the gasket on the timing chain tensioner (gasket ring part # 07119963418.)

I followed this excellent DIY: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=433414

Access is much easier on the Z4M. I took all of 20 minutes to swap out and clean up the mess.
Awesome. Thanks so much for the info and link!
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      09-10-2019, 06:35 PM   #6
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Although the Constant Pressure Valve is located behind the head near the firewall, any chance the oil could have migrated and this is the cause??
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      09-10-2019, 06:54 PM   #7
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VANOS!
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      09-10-2019, 07:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racerbruce View Post
Although the Constant Pressure Valve is located behind the head near the firewall, any chance the oil could have migrated and this is the cause??
Didn't see anything near the firewall, although I'll definitely dig into this more to be sure.
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      09-10-2019, 09:05 PM   #9
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At the risk of revealing my ignorance, if this were an emerging VANOS failure wouldn't I have at least one of the common codes or some performance (including noise) change? If I didn't see the fluid/gunk, I would have zero reason to think anything was in need of attention.
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      09-11-2019, 12:16 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Molez93 View Post
At the risk of revealing my ignorance, if this were an emerging VANOS failure wouldn't I have at least one of the common codes or some performance (including noise) change? If I didn't see the fluid/gunk, I would have zero reason to think anything was in need of attention.
I would not say you have an emerging VANOS failure. At least nothing that you'd need to really worry about in the nearest future.

It's more like slow O-ring (between VANOS solenoid and the VANOS block itself) deterioration over time. I think those O-rings are made of the same quality rubber as the one in CPV (BUNA?) so it hardens and compresses over time due to high temperature.
Oil pressure is extremely high in those channels so oil starts "steaming" through and condensates on parts nearby. But VANOS still has enough room to adjust for pressure loss so you don't see any difference in driving dynamics and no code is thrown either.

I was in the same situation 20kmiles ago (at 48kmiles) and eventually rebuilt VANOS with the Beisan's kit. When I started driving the car for the first time after rebuild it really felt like double "sport mode" - throttle response became extremely aggressive and fun Then I ran VANOS adaptation procedure a week later and it returned to normal but I immediately regretted it


PS: it still can be the chain tensioner gasket. Or even the front main seal (hopefully not!). So I'd check the area around with a mirror - especially near the VANOS solenoid block. Then wipe it clean as much as you can and check again in 200-500 miles.
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      09-11-2019, 12:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Molez93 View Post
Didn't see anything near the firewall, although I'll definitely dig into this more to be sure.
I really doubt oil would travel from back to to the front of the engine (unless you're driving backward most of the time ). It's more likely you'll find oil from CPV in the bell housing instead.

But it's indeed worth checking CPV if its O-ring has never been replaced.
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      09-11-2019, 06:48 AM   #12
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Eureka!

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      10-05-2019, 08:13 PM   #13
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Replaced the timing chain tensioner and aluminum o-ring washer as that was the only location for any oil leaking. Will update in the future if anything further is worth sharing, although a brief drive up to temp shows no oil.
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      10-24-2020, 07:14 PM   #14
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1 year and 1,000 miles later = no further issues...though I would guess nobody really cares besides me. ;-)
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      10-25-2020, 11:09 AM   #15
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Wowie!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Molez93 View Post
1 year and 1,000 miles later = no further issues...though I would guess nobody really cares besides me. ;-)
Your comment about this great update that it's not important - not true! Great to see this update and to know that the assessment was spot-on as noted in this thread and that you solved it....permanently!
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      10-26-2020, 08:11 PM   #16
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I had a similar leak, thought it was the vanos line and while replacing it found the source was the chain tensioner. Ended up tightening it down, ran all summer no leak... might be an easy fix.
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      10-29-2020, 08:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Molez93 View Post
1 year and 1,000 miles later = no further issues...though I would guess nobody really cares besides me. ;-)
Thanks for the “appreciate” clicks. I’m on a bunch of forums and can’t recall a similar response to any comparable updates I’ve provided over the years. It’s helpful to know it was useful.
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