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  #1  
Old 11-24-2019, 03:36 AM
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2004 E53 N62 4.4i Massive Oil Leak

Hi All. Big Shocker question here: Massive Oil Leaks on a BMW X5 E53 N62 4.4i. In the last week I've noticed even more driveway oil decoration from this rolling sieve. Now it seems to be from everywhere below the valve covers. Mainly more so probably coming from the upper rear of the engine where I Can't get at it to see from the firewall blocking it. It looks like it flowing equally on both left and right sides downward and following along the bellhousing. I Don't think it is a rear Main Seal because there is no oil pooled inside when pulling out those rubber inspection plugs at the flywheel. I had a known 'small' right side valve cover oil leak that seemed to get better with some AT-204. But now, it's near streaming down each side. Ideas???? Simplest and cheapest ones first, please. This Money Pit is also drain my pockets and patience. Thanks in advance. :-)
These pics are AFTER I cleaned the massive oil mess to better see it's flow path.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/7GtiKCc163tLNMBU6
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  #2  
Old 11-24-2019, 05:54 PM
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If your gonna keep it spend the money. Don’t half do it.
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  #3  
Old 11-24-2019, 06:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quicksilver View Post
If your gonna keep it spend the money. Don’t half do it.
I was going to suggest the same. If you aren't interested in maintaining it... and I'm not saying that makes you abnormal, sell it as is. It actually makes you more in line with most older car owners to not want to work on it or pay someone to do it.

I've said it before. People who own older BMW's are a certain kind of "special." We don't mind spending hours (or days sometimes) in the garage a few times a year to keep one of these things on the road. It's still cheaper than any new car, and no "reliable" car (Toyota, Honda, Acura, etc) is as fun to drive or as good looking. That's all personal opinion of course, but I'm guessing it applies to more owners than just me judging by how many of these things I still see running around in fair condition.

All that said, you don't mention your mileage, but I'd guess you're looking at valve covers and upper timing covers at a minimum. Plus all the little seals that go along with those, vanos solenoids, eccentric shaft adjusters, eccentric shaft sensor, etc. Soon after that the alternator bracket gasket will go (if not seeping already), the upper oil pan gasket (could also be the source of your leak), and lower oil pan gaskets. Yeah, it sucks... we are all dealing with it.
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2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
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  #4  
Old 11-24-2019, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks View Post

People who own older BMW's are a certain kind of "special."
Guilty as charged...
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  #5  
Old 11-24-2019, 09:25 PM
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Sounds like a neglected engine. I bet you’re also puking tons of smoke on extended idle? I’d wager that engine could be having vac leaks or even the issue of valve stem seals gone kaput.
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  #6  
Old 11-25-2019, 01:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Overboost View Post
Guilty as charged...

And as I try to determine why the starter doesn't spin on the first turn of the key, but does on the second....


Doubly, extra, really, super guilty as charged.


2002 X5 3.0 368,200 miles
2014 428i 65,300 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration
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  #7  
Old 11-25-2019, 02:54 PM
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Hi Guys. Just a quick reply to clarify, as I didn't want to bog my question down with 'story'. I lost All of my 'good stuff' in Hurricane SANDY here in NJ October of 2012. I lost 7 really nice vehicles. And my house wrecked. No flood insurance :-( I know....

I have not had any 'car' or semi nice vehicle since being wiped out. I'm now 'broke'. Both physically and financially. I bought this 2004 E53 X5 4.4i with 206k miles in August of 2017 from a guy that used it as his unloved 'pickup truck'. He was asking 2500. It wouldn't start or drive when I looked at it. I Bought it for 350 bucks. Had it Triple-A towed back to my place. Dead fuel pump. Bad Battery from final stage resistor running the AC blower non stop. Filth and debris in ares I never knew existed. I Am a 'car guy'. I went to town disassembling and cleaning everywhere. I knew this thing was a jewel encrusted in crap. Also, being a BMW, it would have cheap plastic breaking and cracking apart everywhere. And sometimes more oil on the Outside of the engine than Inside :-( On getting the engine running and seeing it really didn't sound or run badly, I gave it some love. Engine flush and new oil twice to clear out the black as tar old oil. New full synthetic Mobile One 5-30 high mileage with can of 8 Cylinder RESTORE (Love that stuff). One bottle of Lucas Pure Synthetic oil stabilizer. One bottle of AT-205 ReSeal. Mann filters. New PCV valves. All small stuff. Aside from a not awful right side oil leak onto the exhaust manifold that stunk up the HVAC system, and the Transmission going into "Trans Fault Protection Mode" every 3rd right turn... It was a pretty OK car to drive. It does NOT have the worn valve guides smoke out the rear. It doesn't really 'burn' any oil. It let's the leaking handle that part. The engine makes No bad sounds at all. No one thinks this is a 207k mile car. I am not a guy that Doesn't want to maintain my vehicles. Quite the opposite. I take these cars to heart. If anyone is interested, I'll post sets of Before and After pictures and results showing you indeed can polish a turd if that turd came from good digestion. But back to the reality of more ability than money, I can only do small $ repairs at a time. Or sell it off. Admittedly, I Suck at giving up on tough problems. Hence hanging on to this X5. I really appreciate good direction specifics from you guys (and gals) that have gone through similar issues. I just KNOW you had to. These quirky faults are part of the BMW mystique allure. Along with a need for self inflicted automotive masochism ;-)
Thanks Again,
Happy Holidays,
Michael C.
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  #8  
Old 11-25-2019, 04:39 PM
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^That definitely sucks. Keep on trucking as they say, it's all you can really do. Without going into a huge backstory, I've also been screwed by insurance not covering flood damage. Though mine was due to a negligent developer vs. mother nature. Lawyers were called, time was wasted, as was money. Nothing was gained.

Automotive masochism is definitely an accurate description of purchasing high mileage neglected BMW ownership. I bought a 350,000 mile e30 325 out of a field once. Restored it after much headache and heartache. Came out pretty nicely. Sold it 5 years or so later with 400,000+ miles on it. But certainly came out upside down on it as I sold it just before e30 values took off, as is my penchant.

I'd like to say, were I in your current situation, I'd buy a $2000 civic and work on recovering things not automotive, I'm not sure I would. If all it's doing currently is leaking, might be best to live with the leak(s). But only suggested selling it as you were saying patience was at a low point... which is a must for owning one of these things. Run out of that and you're liable to want to set the thing on fire. Patience + an extra car(s) is the healthy way to own one of these.
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2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
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  #9  
Old 11-25-2019, 09:25 PM
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"Patience + an extra car(s) is the healthy way to own one of these."




HA HA HA - Oh man, I read that and I had to laugh, that is sooo true!
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  #10  
Old 11-25-2019, 10:37 PM
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So true... These cars are a hate/love relationship (hate to say I love mine) I picked mine up for 15k SAR and now have 60k into it counting the purchase price Just remember that if the X ever catches on for wait to call the fire department while screaming about your collection of Monet paintings being inside....

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