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Help needed: oil leak and no coolant
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! |
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. |
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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? |
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. |
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You didnt pick this up on the PRE purchase inspection????
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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. |
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..... |
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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. |
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I only paid $10k for the truck. Had it been $15k or more I would for sure have done a PPI even if it cost me $500 or so. In any event here’s the update: Indy shop in my area (extremely well known) has the car. Confirmed this is OFHG. Said it didn’t happen over night and has been happening for sometime however, it’s only now that oils making it way with gravity down under the car (where I saw oil about to drip). Said it’s actually the worst case they have seen ever. They did commend me for not driving it and towing the car in as the belt was soaking wet with oil. Here’s what will be done: New OFHG New OCHG New coolant hose - I believe he said from the radiator. Explained the oil that’s everywhere (which I saw) possibly cracked this hose. Shop advised oil can ultimately just corrode the plastic when hot. New belt Oil change Coolant flush 1 hour of cleaning. I wish I took a picture of the caked on oil and debris in the engine area. This is close to the pulleys and belt- beneath the oil filter housing. I wondered what they could be.. and here we are. Advised at this time the cars actually pretty sound otherwise and this is pure neglect would have needed to be done regardless which I believe based on my findings online. |
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