Help needed: oil leak and no coolant

[Isosunrise91]

I recently picked up an 11 x5 35i with about 99k on it. I went to change the oil today and when getting under the car I saw oil that looked like it was about to drip right from what appears to be a jack point. I open the hood and see a small pool of oil next to the oil filter. I take a flashlight and see some sort of either old caked oil mixed with new fried oil just about everywhere near the belt. I start to check fluids and notice the coolant tank is empty. Whatever is left in there is brown.

Is this a dreaded oil filter gasket leak? Only thing I noticed funny was the oil level has been dropping like crazy since I got it about a week ago. Figured it has probably been there for about 10k miles or so and needed a change.

Otherwise car runs fine no warning lights. I’m going out of my mind and very worried. Any help is appreciated!

[Zulu95]

Valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket are all suspect. Pick up a new valve cover and head off any other problems (CCV etc.). ECS sell the Bavauto OFH gasket made of DuPont rubber and they should have an OC gasket as well. They are quite cheap and it save a lot of headaches.
Drain & flush the coolant, refill with BMW brand AF/distilled water 50/50 mix. Check for leaks.

[Isosunrise91]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

Valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler gasket are all suspect. Pick up a new valve cover and head off any other problems (CCV etc.). ECS sell the Bavauto OFH gasket made of DuPont rubber and they should have an OC gasket as well. They are quite cheap and it save a lot of headaches.
Drain & flush the coolant, refill with BMW brand AF/distilled water 50/50 mix. Check for leaks.

From what I understand if your doing the oil filter housing you would do the oil cooler at the same time since it’s in the same location more or less. What should something like this cost at an Indy?

Same for the valve cover gasket, cost an an Indy?

I’ll be upfront- I don’t have confidence in taking this on myself.

Lastly- it’s safe to say I should be replacing the serpentine belt too since it’s covered in oil?

[Zulu95]

If the belt shreds and gets sucked into the engine then you'll have very large problem. I would ask around idnys in your area and tell them you will supply the parts. Prices vary too much from area to area and shop to shop to guess but I was just charged 1.5 hours for doing the VC. The same shop is doing VC, OFHG, OCG and an oil change using my parts for around $650 on my wifes '13 X5. Do not plan driving too far until you get this all changed out. Eating an oil soaked belt would not be fun.
I bought OE VCs the last one was from ECS Tuning.

[Isosunrise91]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

If the belt shreds and gets sucked into the engine then you'll have very large problem. I would ask around idnys in your area and tell them you will supply the parts. Prices vary too much from area to area and shop to shop to guess but I was just charged 1.5 hours for doing the VC. The same shop is doing VC, OFHG, OCG and an oil change using my parts for around $650 on my wifes '13 X5. Do not plan driving too far until you get this all changed out. Eating an oil soaked belt would not be fun.
I bought OE VCs the last one was from ECS Tuning.

Very good to know. The car is parked for now. I’m happy to spend a good 1000 including parts... but I already had an Indy quote me $650 labor only 4 hours for the OFHG.

[ard]

You didnt pick this up on the PRE purchase inspection????

[Isosunrise91]

Originally Posted by ard

You didnt pick this up on the PRE purchase inspection????

Didn’t do a ppi. Sadly I never do- first time ever running into a problem like this early on. At this point I need to have this fixed and move on. Looks like I’ll be keeping the truck for a few years.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Isosunrise91

Didn’t do a ppi. Sadly I never do-

.

First BMW?

Enough snark, tho....

Take it somewhere that you can power wash w hot water...carefully avoid electrical connections...clean off all the old (and new) oil. Start looking.

[TriX5]

Curious, was this a private sale? Auction? If was a used car lot, shouldn't you have at least some redress?

I am struggling to believe that this happened by coincidence just as you bought the car, If it sat in a lot for a few months it is not impossible but still.....

[ard]

Originally Posted by TriX5

Curious, was this a private sale? Auction? If was a used car lot, shouldn't you have at least some redress?
..

I am not aware of any state in the USA where you have redress, short of litigation


Any used car lot will always have an "as is" clause (as well as a "you should have this inspected' clause) in their boilerplate/bill of sale. And even if not, there is no entity other than courts to settle this kind of dispute.