Mid left side engine oil leak

X5chemist · #1 11-28-2021, 11:42 AM

Scooter (wife's name for X5) has been parked for almost two weeks. Still waiting on GMIII repairs. Hopefully, the module will ship back this week. During this time, the power steering reservoir and returns hoses were replaced. The steering oil leak is now fixed. During this time, a mid LEFT side engine side has a few drips. The OFHG fixed the 1 quart per 500 miles issue. Now a smaller one is 1/2 quart per 800-1000 miles. What leaks oil when the engine is not running? Is oil puddling up somewhere? I'll keep watch over it. Maybe it's just residue but didn't see it drip at the new location for week. However, the carboard underneath caught the power steering and engine oil drip. I cleaned the engine side when the oil housing was out. What should I check?

andrewwynn · #2 11-28-2021, 12:16 PM

The stiffening plate can send oil from many places to just a couple. Did you clean off the plate after OFHG? There is a foam sponge that can hold a quart of oil easy.

X5chemist · #3 11-28-2021, 12:28 PM

The stiffing plate was not removed. It will be removed when new shafts go on. Plus axle seals. I didn't know there was a foam sponge there. I'll see if oil dripping stops. It's topped off now and ready to run. Waiting on the GMIII module is agonizing.

andrewwynn · #4 11-28-2021, 12:46 PM

The foam pad is for sound deadening. I replaced mine after a big oil leak. It's impossible to know where oil source is with the stiffening plate on and the foam can store oil for a very long time before dripping

X5chemist · #5 11-28-2021, 12:53 PM

Any pictures available? Is there a foam part number to replace it? From reading, it will be a PIA to remove. Plus new bolts are needed after removal.

EODguy · #6 11-28-2021, 01:12 PM

Just be glad that your stiffening plate isn't built like a manhole cover.

PS. Bolts can be reused but to be fair this is one of those things that has battle lines drawn between replace or reuse folks.

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

andrewwynn · #7 11-28-2021, 01:13 PM

The part number 7 is ghosted for me on realoem so I can't pull the part number.

I bought mine on eBay. You can see it's a giant sponge covers the whole bottom of the motor

wpoll · #8 11-28-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

The part number 7 is ghosted for me on realoem so I can't pull the part number.

I bought mine on eBay. You can see it's a giant sponge covers the whole bottom of the motor

Andrew, #7 is the foam for the auto transmission cover - pretty sure that is only the diesel engined cars... (I have one) - that's why it's dimmed out for you.

The reinforcing plate foam is #1.

Overboost · #9 11-28-2021, 03:17 PM

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but my guess is the OPG leaking with those kind of miles. All the M54B30 engines do it, mine was pouring at under 200,000 miles.

X5chemist · #10 11-28-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but my guess is the OPG leaking with those kind of miles. All the M54B30 engines do it, mine was pouring at under 200,000 miles.

It's hitting 150000 now. The oil pan gasket is on my list. The drips are from not moving for two weeks. The foam oil sipping out makes sense. New rear and shafts are going on as soon as I can access a lift. Hopefully in January. Is the diff in the way to replace the oil pan gasket?