Valley Pan Gusher

[jsoto]

Hedging Bets. Will she make it till the next registration due in March of next year. Time will tell.

Super Clean E53 developed a leak somewhere along the valley pan . Not inclined to do a R&R on it. It sits on our weekend hood. When used, about 60-70 miles, I am topping off 6-12 oz.

Seems like it's getting slowing progressively worst. Haven't switched to using Zerex which is about $10 less per jug. In my readings, it looks like best practice is to have the entire system filled with Zerez and not mix-n-match. At the rate of how much I am topping off, maybe I should just start using Zerex

[x5Alpine]

Stop just adding coolant and fix the issue. You don't want to overheat these motors and if its clean why treat it like a 91 Nissan Sentra?

[jsoto]

The car has been sole owner for 20 years. Extremely maintained E53...service records about 6" thick. Just this weekend, a E70 honked and gave a thumbs up for this ride. She's still a looker. Not going to weekend warrior this and a Indy is not worth the R&R for this job. If it was maybe 1/3 of the cost- maybe worth having a conversation. It's only still around because it is a OCD maintained car just short of the new VP gasket this thing needs. Love the way she drives but it's defiantly not something I'm going to put ### anymore. She's going to get topped off until it bust.

[CapeX5]

Originally Posted by jsoto

The car has been sole owner for 20 years. Extremely maintained E53...service records about 6" thick. Just this weekend, a E70 honked and gave a thumbs up for this ride. She's still a looker. Not going to weekend warrior this and a Indy is not worth the R&R for this job. If it was maybe 1/3 of the cost- maybe worth having a conversation. It's only still around because it is a OCD maintained car just short of the new VP gasket this thing needs. Love the way she drives but it's defiantly not something I'm going to put ### anymore. She's going to get topped off until it bust.

Here comes the next post....."these cars suck, they always break, they are too expensive, blah blah blah" Moronic attitude right here. "until it bust...."

[LA02MAX]

Why not just cut your losses now and sell to someone who is willing to fix it, rather than wait until it's a paperweight?

[X5chemist]

It takes the subframe a 4" drop to get the pan out. The front right corner is notorious for leaking. Rear main oil seal too. Mine was practically rebuilt since the subframe was off. It's definitely work.

Are you sure it's not the oil filter housing gasket?

[LA02MAX]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

It takes the subframe a 4" drop to get the pan out. The front right corner is notorious for leaking. Rear main oil seal too. Mine was practically rebuilt since the subframe was off. It's definitely work.

Are you sure it's not the oil filter housing gasket?

He’s talking about coolant, not oil. This is for an n62, presumably, which has an issue with the coolant transfer pipe on the inside of the valley of the engine. Not a super difficult job removing the intake manifold and replacing the pipe if an AGA expandable pipe is used….but that part is expensive.

[X5chemist]

Oh, the coolant pipe. Ouch. I've seen a few videos of those. Another reason I opted out looking for a V8 X5.

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Oh, the coolant pipe. Ouch. I've seen a few videos of those. Another reason I opted out looking for a V8 X5.

It’s really not a difficult DIY job, especially with a full valley pan parts kit from one of the major parts houses. A few days of leisurely work, or one-ish long day spent with the hood up and the Bentley bible open.

[X5chemist]

Cool. It can't more difficult than doing a timing chain job on a 3.6 V6 GM motor. Our Acadia had a timing cover oil leak. I went all out. What PIA. It took me 3 months working slowly and patiently. Ran like a top until the lash adjusters started to tick. We gave to my folks with a condition they don't drive out of town with it. Besides the ticking at idle, it runs crazy fast and good.