What leaks over the left axle?

[Riba]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

Felt around and didn't find any. Then again, I hate how little space there is down there. Couldn't see anything from below, and definitely can't see anything from above. The only reason I know there is a leak is that I degreased the bottom and cleaned the metal pan, and now there is oil on top of the metal pan that is definitely new.

Remove the the air filter and the rubber intake line, you will have a much better view. You will be able to inspect transmission lines, part of the crankcase pressure release valve. I'm still betting on the oil housing filter gasket. You should change it anyway along with the PCV if it hasn't been done recently. It requires removing the alternator and quite a bit of cursing for the valve.

[StephenVA]

on the cursing part.

[Ricky Bobby]

^^ with the OFHG - if you're above 110k miles or so its probably absolutely the culprit - to know for sure you'd have to take off everything up to the throttle body and move the electrical box out of the way to see it, but if its a "mystery leak" and not the VCG (which is easy to feel for and see) - its 99.9% the OFHG - the CCV doesn't leak but if you are doing the OFHG you should do the CCV

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

It is a 3.0 motor. I believe it is oil, as it doesn't look like it is coming from the differential.

The oil filter housing gasket is more front and center, no? It was my first thought, but I took off the airbox and tubing, and couldn't see the housing itself.

Is my best bet to take off the intake manifold?

Locate the oil filter and look down from there.

[MINIz guy]

I may be dumb, but I don't think I'm that dumb! I can't see worth shit the last time I was in the engine. I'll check it out again, more in depth, this weekend.

OFHG hasn't been done. Valve cover gasket was done less than 3 years ago.

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[Ricky Bobby]

You have to move the electrical connection box out of the way after the intake is removed to see it - it will be right to the right of the actual OFHG

[upallnight]

For tight spots that I can't see I have one of these USB camera that I connect to my tablet with an OTG cable to the micro USB port. Much cheaper at less than 20 bucks than one of those dedicated borescope.

https://www.amazon.com/Smartphone-En...cope+borescope

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by upallnight

For tight spots that I can't see I have one of these USB camera that I connect to my tablet with an OTG cable to the micro USB port. Much cheaper at less than 20 bucks than one of those dedicated borescope.

https://www.amazon.com/Smartphone-En...cope+borescope

Need a Iphone version...help!

[MINIz guy]

I'll stick my phone under there with a video recording. Hopefully that will give me a good line of sight.

Thinking about the leak again, I don't think it's the rear main. Tranny is dry if I remembered correctly.

Hopefully it's the stupid OFHG and that gravity and wind blew it so far down the engine. My 318ti looked like Exxon Valdez when that gasket was bad

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[StephenVA]

Once you get the air box and the alternator out of the way it looks like this... Note: This is a preface lift application. Your hoses and bracket are similar.

Don't forget to replace the VANOS oil line hose (short one) and the 4 crush washers that go with it. The line runs from the VANOS to the oil pressure side of the OFH.

The fan wash will move oil down and round the bottom of the engine and then spray it all over the engine tray and sway bar towards the trans.