Oil leak - RH axle bearing pedestal

[ianstacker]

I have oil gathering below the RH axle bearing pedestal. I understand the 3.0 leaks from the Valve Cover Gasket, it appears dry around the perimeter of the gasket. Is there another way the oil can gather below if its leaking from the Valve Cover or does the O ring on the pedestal leak too?

[Overboost]

Determine if your leak is 90W diff fluid or engine oil. If the bearing carrier is leaking from the oring or axle seal it will be 90W, not engine oil.

[ianstacker]

Thanks for the reply....looks like engine oil to me

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by ianstacker

Thanks for the reply....looks like engine oil to me

Best to tell by smelling it. If it smells like 90W you have some seals in your future but is not a common leak. If it is oil on the right side and your VCG is not leaking from above it will most probably be a OPG. Ask me how I know.

[ianstacker]

OPG?

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by ianstacker

OPG?

Oil Pan Gasket

[ianstacker]

where's the screaming icon??? yes I've had a look at the job to repair that, not something I'd like to do. I think I will replace the VCG and hopefully that will fix it.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by ianstacker

where's the screaming icon??? yes I've had a look at the job to repair that, not something I'd like to do. I think I will replace the VCG and hopefully that will fix it.

A leaking VCG that is depositing oil where you say it is will also leak oil onto the headers. Any smoke or burning oil smell? If not, your VCG isn't leaking. Most likely the seal. Mine is leaking. Looks like motor oil. It's not. Your VCG may be leaking, but I doubt it is causing what you describe. Go ahead and change it, just don't expect it to fix the problem.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by ianstacker

where's the screaming icon??? yes I've had a look at the job to repair that, not something I'd like to do. I think I will replace the VCG and hopefully that will fix it.

It is not too bad if you are forced to do it. My M54 X5 started hemorrhaging so bad from the OPG, it had to be done. I took a week off the road and just did it. My option was to have an indy or the stealership provide the service with quotes as high as $2K for replacing a $35 gasket. Needless to say, I can't justify putting half the cost of the value of the X in a repair. Just put your head down and dive in.


Depending on your mileage, the M54 OPG seems to start giving up over 100,000 miles. Mine had 180,000 on it and it looked like this.