Need help finding the oil leak (picture heavy)

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Fortunately no pressure. If cleaned with brake clean should work for 10-20k miles. Should have sanded also but it'll likely hols back the oil.

I'd have changed the pan. I'm afraid you'll hit a bump and 4" section will fall out!

[Bmwe5320023.0]

I cleaned with brake cleaner, used wirewheel, cleaned again, sanded with 100 grit, wiped with alcohol and then applied the epoxy. Will see how long it lasts, I'll be making another 1k km trip in two weeks...
If nothing else, it's an interesting test to see how long it will last.

[andrewwynn]

That prep is about perfect. It should last. Depending How thick it'll be stronger than the original aluminum. The cracks will leak down to the JB but shouldn't go sideways much especially if the oil was cold for a while letting the JB cure. It's a crazy outside the box fix.

I didn't see which engine and if the oil pan is two part or one part.

[Bmwe5320023.0]

Yep I let it sit for a few days and then cleaned and sealed.
I took the differential out without touching the subframe to access the oil pan behind it.
I thought it would be such an easy fix lol, well I couldn't put the differential back no matter what...
I pretty much had to disconnect the front subframe to put the differential back. If I knew I had to do that, I would've probably just replace the stupid oil pan!
Well at this point I sealed everything off and put it all back together, so now going to take it for a test drive and see if the fix worked!

[Bmwe5320023.0]

Took it for 1 hour drive. No more leaks. I even added some gasket maker just in case lol.
Only got a tiny leak from the axle shaft now lol, but maybe it's caused by slight overfilling. I did change the shaft seal, so shouldn't really be leaking...
The main leak is now fixed yay! Now I can reinstall the protector shield to protect this oil pan lol!

[Bmwe5320023.0]

https://youtu.be/ZUM0ouwod0I

I need this lol!

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Bmwe5320023.0

T... Now I can reinstall the protector shield to protect this oil pan lol!...

That "shield" is actually a structural part of the sub-frame - it stops the sub-frame from twisting (and cracking the welded joints). It works like a diagonal brace in timber wall framing.

[Lucas.ua]

I would have donated a pan seeing all that work. Damn a+ for perseverance!

Also yes that “skid plate” is a must. You can drive without it but it’s a structural piece. I’ve made that mistake before….

[andrewwynn]

I can confirm the stiffening plate does just that I've driven both e53 and e70 without and the effect is immediate.

What it reminded me of is exactly this:

When I drove my '95 Z28 Camaro with the top down it immediately became "jiggly" over bumps most noticeable when the bump involved One front wheel and especially when turning. Felt a lot like a worn out shock absorber.

When properly tightened the stiffening plate offers a crazy amount of resistance mostly in the "don't turn my car into a parallelogram when I'm parking and love tap a car".

[Bmwe5320023.0]

Well I wish I knew this plate was so important, drove 2 years without it, planning to find the leaks before reinstalling it.
Oh well, got it all figured out now and as a bonus learned that the pan can seep through...