Where is this oil leak coming from?

kuta · 03-02-2023, 08:22 PM

2006 E90 320i
N46B20 Engine

Noticed this leak when I had turned off my car and lifted the hood, and a small amount of smoke was coming from this area

Relatively new to cars any info would help.

ppointer · 03-03-2023, 01:15 PM

leaky valve cover gasket. Here is the formula for me -- if I can smell burning oil, it is probably the valve cover gasket. If I find oil on the garage floor but cannot smell it, probably the oil pan gasket is leaking. Then, if I see oily smudge on the bottom side of the hood near the front, the oil filter housing gasket is probably starting to fail.

hope that helps.

whyzee125 · 03-03-2023, 06:35 PM

Valve cover gasket

E93Dude · 03-03-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppointer

leaky valve cover gasket. Here is the formula for me -- if I can smell burning oil, it is probably the valve cover gasket. If I find oil on the garage floor but cannot smell it, probably the oil pan gasket is leaking. Then, if I see oily smudge on the bottom side of the hood near the front, the oil filter housing gasket is probably starting to fail.

hope that helps.

Exactly what he said. Well put.

03-02-2023, 08:22 PM	#1
kuta Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 320i Executive Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	Where is this oil leak coming from? 2006 E90 320i N46B20 Engine Noticed this leak when I had turned off my car and lifted the hood, and a small amount of smoke was coming from this area Relatively new to cars any info would help. Attached Images
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03-03-2023, 01:15 PM	#2
ppointer Major 863 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: FLL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [5.25] 2012 BMW 335is [5.00] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2009 528i [9.50]	leaky valve cover gasket. Here is the formula for me -- if I can smell burning oil, it is probably the valve cover gasket. If I find oil on the garage floor but cannot smell it, probably the oil pan gasket is leaking. Then, if I see oily smudge on the bottom side of the hood near the front, the oil filter housing gasket is probably starting to fail. hope that helps.
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03-03-2023, 06:35 PM	#3
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1997 Rep 4,028 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Valve cover gasket
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