2002 4.6is OIL LEAK with Pictures HELP!!!

[EDG08]

So today I was getting a ball from underneath the truck for my 2 year old and noticed a small puddle of oil about 4 inches around. So hopefully you guys can help diagnose were it is coming from. Here are some pics I snapped. It looks like the oil was dripping from those holes I circled in the picture. Any ideas what wrong and how much can I save by DIY job.
Thanks in advance guys!
EDG

[princemoe2m]

if am not mistaken, its ur rear main seal/gasket... its costly search here u might find some info GL.

[jst2878]

looks exactly like what I have. +2 on the rear main seal. everything by my oil seperator is dry but underneath is where it leaks. i visibly cannot see the leak but thats my fear of the rear main seal.

[EDG08]

Prince,
I see last summer you posted something simular. Did you find out if yours was the main seal? If so how much did it cost at the stealership to get it fixed.
Thanks so much

[KingCon]

Originally Posted by princemoe2m

if am not mistaken, its ur rear main seal/gasket... its costly search here u might find some info GL.

I think that's understood, this is a BMW forum.

[princemoe2m]

Originally Posted by EDG08

Prince,
I see last summer you posted something simular. Did you find out if yours was the main seal? If so how much did it cost at the stealership to get it fixed.
Thanks so much

ya it was but it turned out it wasnt leaking that much , most of the leak was coming down from the valve cover gasket makin the rear main seal look like its leakin alot ( weasel the tech. here told me to search between there) and i tracked it down. and it mostly was the pass. side that causing it, but i changed both valve cover gasket while at it. and my rear main i havent touched it. its a bet of a headache since u gotta drop the trany from the engine and am sure it would cost a arm & leg to fix it. its not leakin that much, maybe a drop a week and it comes on the pan & not makin it to the ground, so am ok with it

btw if u change the valve cover gaskets, change the upper timing gasket and vano's gaskets as well, so u dont go thru a headach again when u need to replace em. cause to replace the upper timing gaskets u need the valve covers off.

[EDG08]

Thanks prince,
I just called the stealer and the said it was $2000 to replace the main seal. They said it would take 14.5 hours of labor. Any body ever looked into buying an aftermarket warranty when oil starts to leak? I found one that doesn’t require a mechanic to look at it before you buy the warranty. I dont know if they would cover seals and It sounds dirty but man $2000 is alot!!

[amacman]

leave the rear seal alone and check oil level regular .
I have previously run cars for years with weeping seals .

[EDG08]

Yeah, im hoping that when I bring it in its not the seals. They said it was about $100 bucks to diagnose were the oil is comming from.
Thanks

[Repoman]

Originally Posted by amacman

leave the rear seal alone and check oil level regular .
I have previously run cars for years with weeping seals .

Better yet, switch to a low grade dino oil and over time the sludge should plug it right up . . . no more leak. . . . while we're on the topic of low cost solutions.