Help me find the oil leak
 

On my 03 e53 I'm trying to find a oil leak. It seems to be coming from the front. I replaced the front oil seal. Not the problem. It seems to be coming from the upper oil pan under the intake manifold. I'm hoping that there is something from under the intake that can cause a leak. So any advice would be great.

Which engine do you have? Knowing that would help us determine where you should be looking for the leak. :thumbup:

I have the 3.0

Ahhhhh... another 3.0 owner. Pull up a chair while I tell you all about oil leaks in our beloved M54's...

(in no particular order of likelihood)
1. Oil Filter Housing Gasket: $5 gasket, 2-4 hour DIY (depending on your experience)
2. Valve cover Gasket: 2-3 hour DIY
3: Oil Filter Cap O-ring: 5 minute fix

Lots of us here on the 'post have gone through these and have loads of advice to give on how to find and fix these leaks. I've dealt with all 3 over the last 3 years, but now finally have a leak-free engine.

What's your confidence in your DIY capability? Absolutely no need to pay your stealer (or indy for that matter) to fix any of these.

I have done all those things, VCG, O ring on oil cap, replaced the gasket and oil sensor on the oil pan. So I'm looking for something else.

I'm not sure from your response, but have you replaced the Oil Filter Housing Gasket? The OFHG is probably the most common oil leak in the 3.0.

No I haven't replaced that OFHG and think about it, I bet that could be it. I will look into that one. Do you know of a page or youtube video that shows the repair? I have owned 6 BMW's and I currently have three. I have done almost all my own work on all of them. I have even done a timing chain and head gasket on my 2001 740i. So I do know my way around.

Check out these 2 links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy0EKjuxlpY

Oil Filter Housing Gasket DIY - E46Fanatics

BTW, E46Fanatics has lots of good information regarding M54 engines, since they're also in E46's.

Several of us here have done this job, so please feel free to ask for help before or during the repair. :thumbup:

Thanks for the help, it is in the right place for the leak.

The OFHG isn't hard to do basically just start digging it out and then there is like 5 bolts that hold it in. I would be very confident in saying that that is your problem. The procedure should be more or less the same on any m54 so if you can't find a diy for the e53 find one for an e46. I know there is a good one for that.