Spanx for cars. lol!

So it's possible I now have the serp belt and coolant situation sorted. The big one is the oil leak.

I have a theory here.

here are some pics of the leak location.
the "good" thing is that this is looking like a timing cover leak.

the "better" thing is that it is POSSSSIBLE that I may have actually NOT INSTALLED the long E8 torx bolts on the front corners of the cylinder head. don't ask me why i think that. just...thinking back....i don't have leftover bolts but i remember putting two in a bag with the tensioner and i seriously don't remember seeing those other two again. but my memory is terrible nowadays anyway so i have to go check regardless.

if i did install all four, it is possible that i torqued them incorrectly. i think i remember torquing them to 5 or 6 ft lbs. can't remember where i got that. one of the youtube guides maybe. apparently the torque numbers for these bolts is a tad elusive. anybody have the correct torque? 10 NM ?

if it is a torque issue, i would certainly think a few more inch-pounds applied DIRECLTY on that location (which i know is under-torqued) might pull up that section of the timing cover just a few thousandths. maybe that would help with the seal.

the location of this leak coincides with the top center of the timing cover housing.

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2005 X5 3.0i - 71k mi (9.2018) -> 81k (9.2019) -> 100k (9.2021) -> 123k (8.2025)
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SOLD : 2003 X5 3.0 - 177k mi (9.2018) -> 186k (9.2019) -> 205k (9.2021)
SOLD : 1997 328is Coupe - Hellrot Red
SOLD : 1988 528e w/ Bullseye s256 / MS2 Extra / GC Coilovers / Yukon Coils ~ 300+ HP