Now what oil leak is this?

[X5only]

There's oil leaking from what appears to be perhaps the valve cover gasket or the timing chain gasket (N62 engine)? It leaks on top of the alternator and down to the floor; 4-5 drops a day. I also have an oil leak on the passenger side from what appears to be underneath the vacuum pump. Argh!

Any pointers? Any one dealt with these leaks?

Thanks!

X5 4.4 2005, 105K miles.

[admranger]

Looks like VC gasket. Run your finger (carefully), along the valve cover gasket area and you'll likely find the area it is leaking. Other alternative is there is a vent line from the front diff that runs up into the engine compartment around there (or is it the transmission vent line, I forget). Could be spewing fluid up there by that's highly unlikely as the transmission would have to be grossly overfilled.

[E53inLA]

Great thread title! LOL, with a groan thrown in also.

The last oil leak I had was the oil filter housing gasket. Doesn't look like your problem.... this week.

It's been 2 whole weeks since I found oil under our X5.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by admranger

Looks like VC gasket. Run your finger (carefully), along the valve cover gasket area and you'll likely find the area it is leaking. Other alternative is there is a vent line from the front diff that runs up into the engine compartment around there (or is it the transmission vent line, I forget). Could be spewing fluid up there by that's highly unlikely as the transmission would have to be grossly overfilled.

My Indie concurs with you- he thinks it's most likely the valve cover gasket leak. He also says that timing case gasket leak is pretty uncommon and he has never done one in a long time.

I think I'll tackle this job my self. Quote is $800 for the valve covers.

[MAX072]

Hello everyone, I should have read some of postings on this forum before buying 2006 BMW X5 4.4i with 146,000 km about 8 months ago. Changed engine oil 3weeks ago and last week notice blue smoke coming from tailpipes while in traffic, checked on the ground if oil leaking but no sign of this. On Saturday, check engine oil level light came up and then top up but still getting blue smoke in traffic which means I'm having oil leak. On this forum, people are saying this cause by various problems and it is common problem for X5, I have changed the 2 CVV and all spark plugs and still getting blue smoke.

Does anyone know the solution to this?

[beamertruck]

The blue smoke is valve stems. Its burning coolant. I got oil leaking from my oil cap, its annoying as hell cuz ive bought 2 replacement caps but no bueno. Stupid Bimmer oil leaks

[admranger]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

The blue smoke is valve stems. Its burning coolant. I got oil leaking from my oil cap, its annoying as hell cuz ive bought 2 replacement caps but no bueno. Stupid Bimmer oil leaks

Blue smoke is oil, not coolant. Coolant would come out as white steam... Valve stem seals that leak leak oil onto the valves and into the combustion chamber.

Oil leaking from your oil cap would lead me to believe that your crankcase ventilation system is not working properly or something else is pressurizing your engine. Look elsewhere than the oil cap...it's the weak link in sealing your engine right now. If it didn't leak, your dipstick or valve cover would is my guess.