[cjet68]

I have a slight oil leak and was wondering what this part is.
right side is the passenger side. you can see some of the power steering lines in the photo.
Thanks!!!

[335IE90]

Have you looked around the valve cover gasket?

[cjet68]

I am not sure what that part is but it looks like an oil pump. Not sure though

[9krpmrx8]

That could be coming from anywhere up top, valve cover leak, OFHG leak, etc. You have to clean it all off and the run it and see where it is coming from. Or you can use dye use the green liqui-moly oil next time and then use a black light to see where it is coming from.


Also, that is the water pump.

[cjet68]

i'm trying to do a VRSF FMIC install but having some trouble on the passenger side connection. Anyway, thanks for the reply and I'll check up higher and get back.
Thanks!!

[Wolf 335]

Which part are you asking about?

The water pump, steering rack, oil pan/gasket, stabilizer bar,

[cjet68]

I've looked at the VCG and the OFHG and see no obvious leaks. From underneath it is hard to tell where the oil is coming from and above the water pump is quite dry.
Just looking for suggestions and advice.

Thanks in advance!

[BashShah]

Post a few pictures of the OFH.
this is all front, so most likely OFH.
but cant say for sure.

[EFk]

I had a leak in Eccentric Shaft Actuator seal so I replaced that and valve cover gasket as well, I recently had to remove the splash shield to replace the radiator and noticed (oil leak?) greasy buildup in water pump area on one of the bolts and also on power steering pressure hose. Could this be because of Actuator Shaft seal or is it something else? Took some pictures but it's hard to get a good one, hope someone has an answer. Thanks!

[bimmerfan1972]

In that first picture, what is that bolt that looks like it isn't tightened? And it looks more like grease, not oil. Looks very thick. Could be from CV boot? But I don't know where this is in relation to CV.

[EFk]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972

In that first picture, what is that bolt that looks like it isn't tightened? And it looks more like grease, not oil. Looks very thick. Could be from CV boot? But I don't know where this is in relation to CV.

Sorry, I didn't do the best job with these photos. It's a water pump bolt. One of the WP mount bushings was eaten up by whatever leak this was/is. I also had a weird stalagmite-like buildup on the splash shield directly underneath, it was black and pretty dry, about 1.5 inch in diameter and maybe 1 inch tall. Looked like mini version of Mount Doom.

So my best theory so far is that Valvetronic motor seal leaked for quite a while and the mix of oil and rubber from the WP bushing formed that "stalagmite". I found some threads where people suggest that oil from VCG/Valvetronic gasket leak can easily end up on WP bolts and can eat away their bushings among other things. I'll give it a couple weeks and check again if any of this comes back. That bolt does not feel loose, not sure if it still really holds the WP but I guess I'll have to live with just 2 WP bushings until WP itself is due to be replaced.