Engine oil leak on right front driveshaft?

3liter6 · #1 10-22-2021, 10:13 AM

Hey all,

I'm trying to get my X5 ready to give to my brother and the last time he borrowed it about a quart or two disappeared in the 1500 miles or so he put on it. Some of that is likely burnt, but the engine had a good layer of grease and grime on it too and I'd see drips underneath. I pressure washed and degreased the engine and added dye.

After a week or so of driving I didn't find leaks from the engine directly, but I did notice engine oil on the inner CV where it enters the oil pan extension. I looked on realOEM and it seems like there's an oring in between the oil pan and the driveshaft support extension which I thought might be the source. Just not sure if it's plausible.

Anyone ever find a leak there? Is the oil pan sealed there by the o-ring? anyone ever have to do this job and can comment on difficulty.

2001 X5 3.0 5-speed.

Thanks!

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Overboost · #2 10-22-2021, 12:25 PM

If it is 90W you have a seal in the pan adapter axle housing to oil pan. If it doesn't smell like 90W, your oil pan is leaking and ending up there.

sandbagger · #3 10-22-2021, 06:29 PM

Just did this hunt/find job....

If its not the valve cover leaking down.....
Its the oil pan, I hoped and prayed that when I put dye in the oil it wouldnt be the pan gasket as it sure the heck looked like the oring in the support.

It wasnt

I can also say this since NO ONE could tell me but it was clear once I got the pan off. the right side oil pan rail is below the oil line if full.

its not a hard job, but its a PITA to do it the right way, as there is another way to split the gasket and hope it doesnt leak.

While you are in there since you have to drop the subframe and pull the front diff off the oil pan. both axle seals and motor mounts.

3liter6 · #4 10-23-2021, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

If it is 90W you have a seal in the pan adapter axle housing to oil pan. If it doesn't smell like 90W, your oil pan is leaking and ending up there.

I added fluorescent dye so it's definitely engine oil, just wasn't sure what fluid that o-ring was there to seal out/in. Sounds like it's 90W, so not the source. Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandbagger

Just did this hunt/find job....

If its not the valve cover leaking down.....
Its the oil pan, I hoped and prayed that when I put dye in the oil it wouldnt be the pan gasket as it sure the heck looked like the oring in the support.

It wasnt

I can also say this since NO ONE could tell me but it was clear once I got the pan off. the right side oil pan rail is below the oil line if full.

its not a hard job, but its a PITA to do it the right way, as there is another way to split the gasket and hope it doesnt leak.

While you are in there since you have to drop the subframe and pull the front diff off the oil pan. both axle seals and motor mounts.

Great info. I've been meaning to do a 4.4 diff swap on this anyway, so I guess this would be the opportunity. This sounds like a decently major undertaking considering the "while I'm in there" jobs, so probably won't get done before I hand the car off to my brother

.

Clavurion · #5 10-23-2021, 10:34 AM

That o-ring is more like a dust seal for the cavity where the drive shaft goes thru the oil pan.

sandbagger · #6 10-23-2021, 10:44 AM

the oring is way more than a dust seal. that tube is from the diff to the axle seal with a bearing behind that seal. it has some level of diff oil in it at all times.

the 2 while your in it items are very easy, 2 bolts for each motor mount. and the 2 oil seals are easy enough. The biggest deal is supporting the motor when you drop the cradle and pan. I got lucky and my buddy owned a trans shop so I have a support now that they normally use for FWD trans jobs.

BTW I designed and 3D printed a very slick seal driver so I wouldnt damage the lip on the face of it. If anyone ever needed the file give me a shout

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