Freeze plug w/ oil in it?

FamilyManTrackSedan · 01-19-2016, 04:22 PM

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?

ferocity02 · 01-19-2016, 05:47 PM

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

JDuke335i · 01-19-2016, 07:54 PM

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.

FamilyManTrackSedan · 01-20-2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferocity02

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?

ferocity02 · 01-20-2016, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctw769

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

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 01-20-2016, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctw769

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.

dawhiz · 01-20-2016, 08:15 PM

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.

The Convert · 01-20-2016, 09:04 PM

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?

Julian2485 · 01-20-2016, 09:36 PM

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

The Convert · 01-20-2016, 09:43 PM

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.

Abax335 · 01-20-2016, 09:43 PM

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.

alexg212 · 01-20-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Convert

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.

Julian2485 · 01-20-2016, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexg212

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Convert

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 ?

Abax335 · 01-20-2016, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian2485

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

Julian2485 · 01-20-2016, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abax335

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian2485

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 ?

CeeWhizzle · 01-21-2016, 12:25 PM

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.

FamilyManTrackSedan · 01-22-2016, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Convert

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

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

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.

FamilyManTrackSedan · 01-25-2016, 11:41 AM

So, it's the VCG leaking oil onto the cat (which is now sending smelly burning oil fumes into the cabin)

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 01-25-2016, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctw769

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.

FamilyManTrackSedan · 01-25-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

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.

CeeWhizzle · 01-25-2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctw769

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.

FamilyManTrackSedan · 02-02-2016, 02:43 PM

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.

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?
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01-19-2016, 05:47 PM	#2
ferocity02 Colonel 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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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01-20-2016, 09:43 PM	#11
Abax335 Lieutenant 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.
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01-21-2016, 12:25 PM	#16
CeeWhizzle Lieutenant 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.
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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)
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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 Quote