E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Freeze plug w/ oil in it?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-19-2016, 04:22 PM   #1
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

Freeze plug w/ oil in it?

Changing a coil the other day I noticed these reservoirs next to each, which I discovered are freeze plugs. Most had a small bit of loose dirt and one had oil in it. Any ideas why this would occur?
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2016, 05:47 PM   #2
ferocity02
Colonel
United_States
553
Rep
2,085
Posts

Drives: 2013 135is
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA

iTrader: (8)

Probably a leaking valve cover. Very common problem. It could be the gasket or a crack in the cover. Both are quite common.
__________________

2013 135is DCT Carbon Black Metallic

Appreciate 0
      01-19-2016, 07:54 PM   #3
JDuke335i
Second Lieutenant
JDuke335i's Avatar
United_States
57
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i , Alpine white
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bmw Land , sims (nc)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jctw769
Changing a coil the other day I noticed these reservoirs next to each, which I discovered are freeze plugs. Most had a small bit of loose dirt and one had oil in it. Any ideas why this would occur?
Mine had oil this week but it was at the back by #6 coil. It was coming from the pvc leaking. The engine cover was pushing on it enough to cock it sideways just a little but enough to make it leak. I'm glad it was a simple fix for me.
__________________
FBO , MHD , tuned
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 02:13 PM   #4
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ferocity02 View Post
Probably a leaking valve cover. Very common problem. It could be the gasket or a crack in the cover. Both are quite common.
Thanks for the reply. Could you elaborate on the level of probability? Have you seen valve cover leaks result in a bit of oil in the freeze plugs?
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 02:44 PM   #5
ferocity02
Colonel
United_States
553
Rep
2,085
Posts

Drives: 2013 135is
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jctw769 View Post
Thanks for the reply. Could you elaborate on the level of probability? Have you seen valve cover leaks result in a bit of oil in the freeze plugs?
It's very probable, almost as common as a bad water pump I would say. It depends where the leak is exactly, but most commonly oil ends up in the spark plug holes. If you think about it, there's no way for oil to end up on top of the head unless it's a leaking valve cover or oil cap (which you should also check).

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775317
__________________

2013 135is DCT Carbon Black Metallic

Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 03:28 PM   #6
Jeff@TopGearSolutions
Jeff@TopGearSolutions's Avatar
United_States
3474
Rep
79,211
Posts

Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com

iTrader: (37)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jctw769 View Post
Thanks for the reply. Could you elaborate on the level of probability? Have you seen valve cover leaks result in a bit of oil in the freeze plugs?
9/10 will need to replace the valve cover in the vehicles life time, typically before 100K miles.

I had to replace mine at 47K and it was a bone stock vehicle driven by a mother of 1.

My advice is to clean the cover and area and inspect after a few days.

You'll either find the crack in valve cover after it's been cleaned or figure out the problem area one way or another after it's been cleaned and re-inspected after some miles.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 08:15 PM   #7
dawhiz
Private
23
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: 09 335xi RB/inlets/etc
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: ID

iTrader: (0)

Mine was partial slush in middle. Lol

I've went with the clean and check later method here at 101k, but this summer valve cover and valve seals go.

At least a bank of injectors comes sooner once rock auto has them in stock.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 09:04 PM   #8
The Convert
Banned
43
Rep
303
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: midwest

iTrader: (0)

See that little cap like thingy with that rubber shield under it in the upper part of the picture? I believe it says "BMW OIL" on it. See how there's this slick filmy stuff all around it? Guess what that is...oil, right? Now look where you're questioning. Still questioning?
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 09:36 PM   #9
Julian2485
Major
113
Rep
1,340
Posts

Drives: Black lci e90 335 xdrive
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New york

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Convert
See that little cap like thingy with that rubber shield under it in the upper part of the picture? I believe it says "BMW OIL" on it. See how there's this slick filmy stuff all around it? Guess what that is...oil, right? Now look where you're questioning. Still questioning?
So he pretty much has to change the oil cap gasket
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 09:43 PM   #10
The Convert
Banned
43
Rep
303
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: midwest

iTrader: (0)

OMG...oil was spilled during an oil change. There is nothing to be concerned with other than the sloppiness of the person adding oil to the car.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 09:43 PM   #11
Abax335
Lieutenant
Abax335's Avatar
United_States
81
Rep
540
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi 6spd
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Orange/Rockland

iTrader: (1)

Probably throw a new cap on and clean it. I have never seen any freeze plugs leaks at the dealer level but doesn't mean it can't happen.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 10:08 PM   #12
alexg212
Second Lieutenant
53
Rep
278
Posts

Drives: 335is Coupe/Mustang Gt
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Convert View Post
OMG...oil was spilled during an oil change. There is nothing to be concerned with other than the sloppiness of the person adding oil to the car.
Leaky valve cover gasket is often misdiagnosed as spilled oil during an oil change.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 11:13 PM   #13
Julian2485
Major
113
Rep
1,340
Posts

Drives: Black lci e90 335 xdrive
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New york

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexg212
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Convert View Post
OMG...oil was spilled during an oil change. There is nothing to be concerned with other than the sloppiness of the person adding oil to the car.
Leaky valve cover gasket is often misdiagnosed as spilled oil during an oil change.
If there is a little oil in spark plug well is that an indication of valve cover gasket or could it be something else ?
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 11:21 PM   #14
Abax335
Lieutenant
Abax335's Avatar
United_States
81
Rep
540
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi 6spd
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Orange/Rockland

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian2485 View Post
If there is a little oil in spark plug well is that an indication of valve cover gasket or could it be something else ?
Could be something else since the tubes won't seal fluid from getting in
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2016, 11:27 PM   #15
Julian2485
Major
113
Rep
1,340
Posts

Drives: Black lci e90 335 xdrive
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New york

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Abax335
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian2485 View Post
If there is a little oil in spark plug well is that an indication of valve cover gasket or could it be something else ?
Could be something else since the tubes won't seal fluid from getting in
So maybe during an oil change oil could have gotten into the spark plug wells ?
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2016, 12:25 PM   #16
CeeWhizzle
Lieutenant
Canada
81
Rep
538
Posts

Drives: 2009 E92 335i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Regina, SK

iTrader: (1)

Step 1: Clean up oil mess
Step 2: Drive for 2-3 days and monitor that area for more oil
Step 3: If there is oil back in the valve cover area, most likely valve cover/Gasket.
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2016, 05:55 PM   #17
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Convert View Post
OMG...oil was spilled during an oil change. There is nothing to be concerned with other than the sloppiness of the person adding oil to the car.
That oil on the tray around the cap was likely old, from some slob a while back. I do my own changes, with an incredible high-tech "funnel" device. Regardless, if you trace a bad pour down, it will get on the VC which you can see in the photos, but I highly doubt it will end up IN the freeze plug because the rim of the hole is raised.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions View Post
My advice is to clean the cover and area and inspect after a few days.
You'll either find the crack in valve cover after it's been cleaned or figure out the problem area one way or another after it's been cleaned and re-inspected after some miles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CeeWhizzle View Post
Step 1: Clean up oil mess
Step 2: Drive for 2-3 days and monitor that area for more oil
Step 3: If there is oil back in the valve cover area, most likely valve cover/Gasket.
Will do, thanks guys. I'll post an update later.
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2016, 11:41 AM   #18
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

So, it's the VCG leaking oil onto the cat (which is now sending smelly burning oil fumes into the cabin)
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2016, 11:52 AM   #19
Jeff@TopGearSolutions
Jeff@TopGearSolutions's Avatar
United_States
3474
Rep
79,211
Posts

Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com

iTrader: (37)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jctw769 View Post
So, it's the VCG leaking oil onto the cat (which is now sending smelly burning oil fumes into the cabin)
No surprise. Gasket is $40-50 at dealer. If you are mechanically inclined it's a DIY job but plan on it taking a good 6 hours if not a little more first time around.

If you are unsure about it, get it done by a pro. I see you are in NJ.

I recommend Auto Cotour Motoring in Fairlawn. Tell them I sent you.
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2016, 05:40 PM   #20
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions View Post
No surprise. Gasket is $40-50 at dealer. If you are mechanically inclined it's a DIY job but plan on it taking a good 6 hours if not a little more first time around.

If you are unsure about it, get it done by a pro. I see you are in NJ.

I recommend Auto Cotour Motoring in Fairlawn. Tell them I sent you.
Thanks for the recco - I'm gonna DIY. Just gonna get a new valve cover because the car has 75k on it, the kit is cheap with gasket and bolts at ECS, and I don't wanna do this again.
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2016, 08:23 PM   #21
CeeWhizzle
Lieutenant
Canada
81
Rep
538
Posts

Drives: 2009 E92 335i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Regina, SK

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jctw769 View Post
Thanks for the recco - I'm gonna DIY. Just gonna get a new valve cover because the car has 75k on it, the kit is cheap with gasket and bolts at ECS, and I don't wanna do this again.
Haaaave fun!

Its a relatively easy job. Can be tedious if the gasket doesn't want to stay in the valve cover when installing.
Appreciate 0
      02-02-2016, 02:43 PM   #22
FamilyManTrackSedan
Lieutenant
112
Rep
409
Posts

Drives: 2008 pre-lci 335xi 6mt sedan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (6)

All done. Rob's DIY is so excellent I felt completely comfortable with the job. Took longer than I would have liked but it was worth it.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:04 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST